Action-packed week ahead as New Zealand Black Ferns women's rugby team plays in Nelson
13/11/2020 10:28am
The New Zealand Black Ferns are heading to Nelson this month, but before their match against the New Zealand Barbarians kicks off, you can watch them train or meet them for some rugby skills games in the central city.
The main event – the Black Ferns game against the Barbarians - takes place on Saturday 21 November at Trafalgar Park. Gates open 3.45pm for 4.35pm kick off, with the match to be a double header with the Tasman Mako hosting the Bay of Plenty Steamers in a Mitre 10 Cup semi-final at 7:05pm. Tickets for the matches are available now from https://tickets.mako.nz/.
The Black Ferns and the Barbarians will be welcomed to the city on Monday 16 November with an invitation-only powhiri at Whakatū Marae.
On Thursday 19 November, the Tasman Rugby Union is hosting the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce ‘Celebrating Women in Sport and Business’ Luncheon at 1pm.
Cate Sexton, head of Women’s Rugby at the New Zealand Rugby Union, will be speaking about women’s rugby in New Zealand, and attendees will have an exclusive opportunity to watch the Black Ferns training in Trafalgar Park from the pavilion balcony.
Tickets for the luncheon are available from https://www.commerce.org.nz/event/black-ferns-luncheon.
Also on Thursday is a chance to see the team train before the big game. The Barbarians will be training at Nelson College from 9.30am-11.30am, and the Black Ferns at Nayland College from 11am-1pm.
Both training sessions are free to watch.
On Friday 20 November, a selection of Black Ferns and Tasman Mako players will be ready and available to meet their fans and play rugby skills games at the top of Trafalgar Street from 11am-1pm.
A free sausage sizzle will be on offer and spot prizes handed out.
On the same day, over at Trafalgar Park, the Barbarians will be carrying out their Captain’s Run from 12.30pm-1.45pm. The Black Ferns’ Captain’s Run will take place later in the day, from 3.15pm-4.15pm. Both events are free to attend.
The New Zealand Black Ferns will not play any international tests this year so their Nelson match has increased significance as part of the team’s preparation for their defence of the Rugby World Cup 2021.
