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On Friday 26th April the BNZ Crusaders will play the Lions at Christchurch Stadium in a replay of the 2018 Super Rugby final, and the match will double as an opportunity for the club to commemorate Anzac Day and deliver a comprehensive ‘Salute To Service’ event. 

Salute To Service is a new concept this season, allowing the Crusaders rugby club and fans to acknowledge all service men and women across the Crusaders region during round 11 of the Investec Super Rugby competition.

Image courtesy of Photosport - Official photographers of the BNZ Crusaders

BNZ Crusaders Chief Executive Colin Mansbridge said the club is immensely proud to introduce the initiative, offering thanks to each organisation on behalf of the BNZ Crusaders team, board, management and staff.

“This region has been through its fair share of adversity, and we are extremely grateful to the men and women who work selflessly every day to support our people, and make our community a better place. To be able to celebrate their contribution at this match, alongside their families, is our unique way of saying ‘thank you’ and I have no doubt Crusaders fans will join us in celebrating what promises to be a very special night for our community.”

St John, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the New Zealand Defence Force, and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RSA) will all be involved on game day. Thanks to PlaceMakers Canterbury, a number of local staff and families from these service organisations have been given free tickets to attend the match.

James Munro, Marketing & Merchandising Manager of PlaceMakers Canterbury, said the chance to support this initiative is a perfect fit for their community-minded business.

“At PlaceMakers we work closely with our customers and local partners such as the Crusaders, with the belief that ‘together we’re building Canterbury’.

"Our wonderful service men and women are tireless in their commitment to building our commmunity, so for PlaceMakers Canterbury to be able to help out by bringing all of these service organisations together, and offering a free ticket to the match in which we’ll pay tribute to them, is really important to us,” Munro said. 

All service organisations will showcase some of their hardware as fans enter Christchurch Stadium, ranging from the very latest Ambulance, back to a vintage model from 1947. The New Zealand Defence Force will provide the winner of the ‘Live Like A Crusader’ competition with a very special ride to the game in a NZ Army MV-C2 Light Operational Vehicle.

As part of the pre-game, nominees from each service organisation will do a lap of honour around the field, led by the Nor'West Brass Band and joined by a representative of youth volunteers from St John. There will be a curtain raiser of 10s rugby between Fire & Emergency and the New Zealand Defence Force which is set to kick off at 6.20pm - a fitting build up to the main game at 7.35pm. 

As Anzac Day falls one day before the game, a traditional commemoration will take place prior to kick off to remember those who have served. This will involve the Ode, which will be read by CRFU kaumatua, Ruawhitu Pokaia, as well as the Last Post and Reveille, which will be performed by Sergeant Ross Yorstone of the NZ Army Band. Halftime will involve a challenge between the services where competitors will be tasked with kicking for a donation to their charity of choice.

Burnham Military Camp Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One PJ Harimate, said the organisation is looking forward to the ‘Salute To Service’ activity following its annual Anzac Day commemorations.

“Anzac Day is a very important day for all NZDF staff and our commemorations are always a proud moment for those involved. In light of all that Canterbury has been through, we are pleased to join other service men and women at Christchurch Stadium, recognising the wonderful work done to support our region.”

Debbie Pipson, South Island Fundraising and Marketing Manager for St John, said the opportunity to bring many St John staff together around this event will make it a special night.

“We’ve had a long association with rugby and the Crusaders, which is strengthened by the opportunity to be a part of this inaugural event.

“There is an amazing number of paid and voluntary staff at St John whose hard work and dedication within our community is unparalleled, so to be able to offer them the opportunity to come and watch the Crusaders with their family, away from the pressures of their day-to-day, is really special,” Pipson said.

Tributes in the Crusaders’ Salute to Service round won’t be limited to match day, with players out and about in the community during the week and the families of service men and women invited to Captain’s Run.

BNZ Crusaders players will have an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ in person when they visit the first responders area at the Justice Precinct on Anzac Day. Head Coach Scott Robertson commented that taking time to connect with these amazing men and women is important for the players, coaches and management.

“In recent years our region has seen first hand the inspirational work our first responders do, and the opportunity to visit the Justice Precinct this week and connect with those heroes, is really meaningful for our team leading in to this game. We’ll certainly be playing for our local heroes this Friday night.”

BNZ Crusaders team partner, Miyamoto, are behind the event, providing an opportunity for the families of service men and women to attend the Crusaders Captain’s Run on Thursday at Christchurch Stadium. There will be a BBQ provided, fun inflatables for the kids and an opportunity to meet the Crusaders following the training session. 

Miyamoto's purpose is to 'save lives and positively impact communities' and Director Nick Regos said providing the Captain’s Run opportunity was a unique way for the organisation to show their support for the families of service men and women.

“As well as the commitment made by service personnel every day, the families of these people also play an important role in our community, so we’re really proud to be true to our purpose by extending an invitation to Crusaders Captain’s Run and having them fully involved and acknowledged in the ‘Salute to Service’ round.”

The BNZ Crusaders’ Salute To Service will be held at Christchurch Stadium this Friday night. Gates open at 6pm with kick off in the Investec Super Rugby match between the BNZ Crusaders and Lions at 7.35pm. For game day tickets please visit www.ticketrocket.co.nz