{"id":94690,"date":"2025-08-25T12:56:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T12:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/94690\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T12:56:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T12:56:09","slug":"thousands-flock-to-greet-new-zealand-warriors-landing-in-their-new-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/94690\/","title":{"rendered":"Thousands flock to greet New Zealand Warriors landing in their new home"},"content":{"rendered":"

A CROWD of 5000 people welcomed the New Zealand Warriors to Logan on Friday (22 August), and some lucky young locals got to meet their idols.<\/p>\n

The NRL team last month announced Logan would be their \u201chome-away-from-home\u201d, with an \u201celite\u201d training academy and community program opening at the Logan Metro Sports Park in Brown Plains, which is where the team held their first training session last week.<\/p>\n

Free tickets to watch the session sold out in a matter of days. After the training, players stayed behind to greet local fans, take photos and sign autographs.<\/p>\n

Warriors CEO Cameron George said the team already felt welcome in Logan, and thanked the community for their support and turnout.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe coming weeks are ripe with potential \u2013 we\u2019ve got the finals in our sights as well as setting up the programs here in Logan. Our team is about community, culture, and connection, and we\u2019ve really felt the love from the crowd today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Deputy mayor Scott Bannan, who recently traveled to New Zealand on his own dime to pitch the partnership to the Warriors, said Logan had always been seen as an underdog.<\/p>\n

However, he said that created a deep pride and sense of family within the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Warriors family is full of pride too, which is why we\u2019re so well aligned and why this partnership has been so well received,\u201d Cr Bannan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a game changer and this is the best thing to happen in our community for sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mayor Jon Raven said the Australian-first training academy and community development program would benefit the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only will this program bring direct access to elite NRL pathways in Logan, it will offer trade employment opportunities and other careers,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is about sport making a difference to our young people \u2013 and building a better future for them starts right here in Logan. Rugby league is hugely popular here and we have so many talented players.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

He said the partnership could see professional games played in Logan, but first the city\u2019s sporting facilities would need upgrading.<\/p>\n

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