Rare All Blacks "Legends" jersey to be auctioned in Wellington tomorrow
A limited edition All Blacks jersey, signed by 15 of the 20th Century’s Living Legends, goes up for auction in Wellington tomorrow (Friday 7 June).
The jersey is one of many items being auctioned at the skylight Champions Luncheon to raise money for skylight – the national support organisation that helps young people deal with tough stuff in their lives.
skylight Sponsorship Manager Annette Brook said more than 540 people were expected at this year’s event, which will honour All Blacks legend Colin Meads.
The luncheon has been an annual Wellington fixture for the past 10 years, held the day prior to a Wellington-based All Blacks test. The All Blacks play France at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Ms Brook said tickets to the event regularly sold out a year in advance, and attracted some of New Zealand’s sporting elite. Among those attending this year are Sir Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Waka Nathan, Grant Fox, Alama Ieremia and Fergie McCormick.
Colin Meads is being honoured this year as he had attended the luncheon for nine of the past 10 years, Ms Brook said.
The skylight Champions Luncheon includes an auction, at which the rare Living Legends jersey will go under the hammer. Ms Brook said the commemorative leather-collared jersey was one of 20 produced in 1999 to mark the Millennium, and features the signatures of All Black greats including Colin Meads, Wilson Whineray, Sean Fitzpatrick and Andy Haden, chosen by a panel of sports writers and journalists.
Of the 20 jerseys, 15 were given to the “legends†and the remainder auctioned for charity. This particular jersey sold by auction for $43,000 that year, and was offered as an auction item to skylight last week by its anonymous owner.
Other items up for auction at the event include Tana’s signed Toulon jersey from last year when he played with the French club, Frank Bunce’s dancing shoes from Dancing with the Stars – signed by Frank and dancing partner Krystal Stuart – a signed caricature of Colin Meads and an autographed 2007 All Blacks jersey.
The 2007 French rugby team’s manager, Joe Maso, will also attend the luncheon and has donated a French rugby jersey autographed by the 2007 team for the auction.
Last year the auction alone raised more than $80,000 for skylight. Ms Brook expected interest in the auction to be even stronger this year, particularly with the addition of the commemorative jersey.
skylight helps to build resilient New Zealanders by providing young people with tools and support to deal with tough stuff such as suicide, separation, death and bullying. Chief Executive Bice Awan said the organisation supports at least 5,000 a year through its counselling services in the Wellington region and its resources and education services nationwide.
“The skylight Champions Luncheon has been crucial for us to raise the money needed to help young New Zealanders, and the support we’ve received through the luncheon has been incredible,†she said.
The luncheon will be held from 11.45am onwards on Friday at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington.
Living Legends featured on the commemorative jersey are:
Wilson Whineray
Sean Fitzpatrick
Kevin Skinner
Colin Meads
Andy Haden
Michael Jones
Ian Kirkpatrick
Zinzan Brooke
Sid Going
Grant Fox
Ian McRae
Bruce Robertson
Jeff Wilson
John Kirwan
Bob Scott
The jersey is one of many items being auctioned at the skylight Champions Luncheon to raise money for skylight – the national support organisation that helps young people deal with tough stuff in their lives.
skylight Sponsorship Manager Annette Brook said more than 540 people were expected at this year’s event, which will honour All Blacks legend Colin Meads.
The luncheon has been an annual Wellington fixture for the past 10 years, held the day prior to a Wellington-based All Blacks test. The All Blacks play France at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Ms Brook said tickets to the event regularly sold out a year in advance, and attracted some of New Zealand’s sporting elite. Among those attending this year are Sir Brian Lochore, Ian Kirkpatrick, Waka Nathan, Grant Fox, Alama Ieremia and Fergie McCormick.
Colin Meads is being honoured this year as he had attended the luncheon for nine of the past 10 years, Ms Brook said.
The skylight Champions Luncheon includes an auction, at which the rare Living Legends jersey will go under the hammer. Ms Brook said the commemorative leather-collared jersey was one of 20 produced in 1999 to mark the Millennium, and features the signatures of All Black greats including Colin Meads, Wilson Whineray, Sean Fitzpatrick and Andy Haden, chosen by a panel of sports writers and journalists.
Of the 20 jerseys, 15 were given to the “legends†and the remainder auctioned for charity. This particular jersey sold by auction for $43,000 that year, and was offered as an auction item to skylight last week by its anonymous owner.
Other items up for auction at the event include Tana’s signed Toulon jersey from last year when he played with the French club, Frank Bunce’s dancing shoes from Dancing with the Stars – signed by Frank and dancing partner Krystal Stuart – a signed caricature of Colin Meads and an autographed 2007 All Blacks jersey.
The 2007 French rugby team’s manager, Joe Maso, will also attend the luncheon and has donated a French rugby jersey autographed by the 2007 team for the auction.
Last year the auction alone raised more than $80,000 for skylight. Ms Brook expected interest in the auction to be even stronger this year, particularly with the addition of the commemorative jersey.
skylight helps to build resilient New Zealanders by providing young people with tools and support to deal with tough stuff such as suicide, separation, death and bullying. Chief Executive Bice Awan said the organisation supports at least 5,000 a year through its counselling services in the Wellington region and its resources and education services nationwide.
“The skylight Champions Luncheon has been crucial for us to raise the money needed to help young New Zealanders, and the support we’ve received through the luncheon has been incredible,†she said.
The luncheon will be held from 11.45am onwards on Friday at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington.
Living Legends featured on the commemorative jersey are:
Wilson Whineray
Sean Fitzpatrick
Kevin Skinner
Colin Meads
Andy Haden
Michael Jones
Ian Kirkpatrick
Zinzan Brooke
Sid Going
Grant Fox
Ian McRae
Bruce Robertson
Jeff Wilson
John Kirwan
Bob Scott