Some of east Auckland’s top young rugby players are fundraising to help them get to the Land of the Rising Sun for an important overseas tour. Pakuranga United Rugby Club’s (PURC) under-13 Gladiators team is heading to Japan in September. Coach Andrew White says the tour came about when some of the team’s coaches and managers, then of the under-12 grade, decided it would be a great celebration for the players to end their junior years at PURC on a high note. “It was decided the U13 team would lay a new pathway for the club and tour Japan for the first time in its history, thus creating an opportunity for future generations to follow.” The tour’s purpose is to give the players the opportunity to play competitive rugby in another country and experience a new culture. It’ll also let them create long-term relationships with Japanese rugby players and give the Pakuranga boys a future pathway should they choose to play the sport in that country in future. After running trials in September last year, a team was chosen to represent the club and shortly afterward the U13 Gladiators were born. Since the team’s inception they’ve established a coaching group comprised of White, Phil Robinson and Rob Hunkin, tour manager Mark Baker, and team manager Frans Maritz. “We established an awesome fundraising committee and began fundraising immediately through BBQs, raffles, car washes, sourcing sponsors, and running a Joker draw at PURC every Friday night,” White says. “We’ve also established a rapport with Shibuya Rugby Club in Tokyo. “Organising the tour agenda is well under way. The team plan to play in a tournament being organised by Shibuya Rugby Club.” White says a team charter has been created whereby the Gladiators will “always fight to win, work as a team, have mana, determination and fun, and they’ll always be warriors, strong, brave, and cool”. “We’ve started becoming familiar with Japanese culture, through locally-presented culture sessions and have gone on to showcase rugby at the Chinese New Year Festival and perform a haka for the Chinese community. “Our preparation continues over the winter season until the departure date. “A lot’s happened over a short space of time. The players, parents and coaching team have been amazing and truly risen to the occasion to make sure the team will have a successful tour. “We continue our journey to raise $150,000 and give a group of enthusiastic rugby-mad players an experience to treasure for a lifetime. “We’re truly thankful and grateful for support the club and community have given towards reaching our financial goal.” The Gladiators thank sponsors Pak’nSave Botany and Sterling Finance. The U13 Gladiators team is comprised of players Jed Baker, Harrison Bell, Alex Charlton, Jayson Conradie, Ulaiasi Daku, Cooper Delany, Cayden Ferreira, Anthony Fifita, Xavier Grant, Baxter Hill, Joshua Hunkin, Flynn Hunt, Max Hutcheson, Max Kearney, Zach Lee, Skylar Lewis, Heinrich Maritz, Max McQueen, David Moala, Ashton Morris, Jano Pretorius, Abel Robinson, Olive Tainui, Caden Van Niekerk, Jayden Van Staden, Jacob Webster, and Oliver White.