Reef Shipping supports local rugby

Reef Shipping has put its weight and its wallet behind Cook Islands Rugby Union and agreed to supply $150,000 over three years to the sport’s development and promotion at a domestic and international level.

They’ve also enlisted former All Black Michael Jones as a mentor for the Cook Islands’ young rugby hopefuls.

Jones visits the Cook Islands two to three times a year on average in his capacity as a senior executive of Reef Shipping. He will now spend part of his time helping with player development and motivation in the Cook Islands in addition to his duties with Reef Shipping.

Jones played 55 games with the All Blacks between 1987 and 1998, scoring 13 international tries during the period and helping the Auckland Blues win the first two Super 12 competitions in 1996 and 1997.

Following his on-field retirement, Jones coached the Samoan international rugby union team.

Jones is now involved with New Zealand sports academies and will bring his diverse rugby career to the Cook Islands to help inspire and advance the local youth.

Jones said he saw a lot of potential for the Cook Islands in rugby union and sevens.

He said rugby and particularly sevens, which will feature as an Olympic sport in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, gives the Cook Islands a chance to stamp its brand on the international level.

“It’s a huge opportunity for the Cook Islands to build its brand through rugby...and perform on the international stage on what Cook Islanders are naturally gifted at,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jones and Reef Shipping director Phillip McNicholl said they would continue to work with Cook Islands Rugby Union to build the sport at the community and international levels.

Reef Shipping has been the major supporter of Cook Islands rugby for the past five years.

McNicholl said the company had enjoyed a fruitful relationship with previous Cook Islands Rugby Union president John Wichman and he looked forward to continuing it with current president Chris McKinley.

McKinley said the renewed relationship between Reef Shipping and Cook Islands rugby would benefit male and female, and domestic and international players alike.

He said having Jones also involved in Cook Islands rugby was another sweetener in an already sweet deal.

“We are rapt to have Michael Jones on board as he is the best Pacific Islander ever to play rugby and arguably to best player ever to play the game,” McKinley said.