Sometimes the best moments come from the people you least expect to meet.
While attending the Crusaders Super Lunch, Fiona and Sarah found themselves seated next to a father and son visiting from the United States. In true Kiwi fashion, the obvious question had to be asked: what are two Americans doing at a rugby event in Christchurch?
The answer made the story even better.
Jonah and Andy are passionate rugby fans, with their family having planned their New Zealand trip around Super Rugby weekend in Ōtautahi. Both Andy and Jonah are passionate rugby fans, with Andy having introduced Jonah to the game from a young age – right down to naming him after Jonah Lomu.
Their passion for rugby goes well beyond being spectators. Andy and Jonah are also investors in the New England Free Jacks, one of the newer professional rugby union teams based in the States, making their trip to New Zealand and Super Rugby weekend even more fitting.
Hearing they had travelled all this way specifically for rugby added even more excitement to an already memorable event. What made the experience especially meaningful for our team was learning that Jonah and Andy had already looked into Te Tahi Youth, taken the time to understand the work we do, and genuinely admired the support we provide to rangatahi in our community.
During the charity auction, Jonah and Andy successfully won an auction item, with proceeds from their winning bid going directly to Te Tahi Youth. In doing so, they also became our very first international donors.
As if that wasn’t memorable enough, the pair were also given an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: walking out onto the new Te Kaha Stadium before the first Super Round game with Jonah being given the chance to become the second person in history, after Dan Carter, to kick a ball over the goalposts.
It was such a pleasure meeting two genuinely lovely people and sharing this special event with them.
To Jonah and Andy, thank you for your generosity, your support, and for making this event even more memorable for our team.