A Warm Wellington Welcome for the LA Galaxy
29 November 2007
The wait is over – one of the world’s most celebrated football teams has arrived in Wellington. The LA Galaxy and star recruit David Beckham arrived today to a warm welcoming committee.
Their welcome to New Zealand began at the Wellington International Airport, where they were greeted with an official powhiri, organised by the Wellington City Council.
The LA Galaxy is in town to play against local football team Wellington Phoenix FC, in an exhibition match on Saturday 1 December at the Westpac Stadium. It’s a coup for New Zealand’s capital city, and was achieved with funding from the Wellington Phoenix owner Terry Serepisos and support from the Wellington City Council.
“This is a huge event for Wellington,” says Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast. “The city has put on a fantastic welcome for the team, and will make sure they love every minute of their time here. Wellingtonians are known for their hospitality, which will be extended to the LA Galaxy throughout their stay here.”
It’s a full few days for the LA Galaxy, in the lead up to the exhibition match on Saturday night. The team will hold a free public training session on Friday 30 November, which will be attended by school children and their parents from throughout the Wellington region.
On Friday night, the Wellington Phoenix play a Hyundai A-League match against Australian team Adelaide United – and it will be a match with a difference. At half time, the LA Galaxy will make a special appearance on the field. Each player will be gifted a pounamu (greenstone) pendant by Mayor Kerry Prendergast, as a memento of their time in Wellington and New Zealand.
The pounamu are gifted by New Zealand’s tourism marketing body, Tourism New Zealand. Each pendent is hand carved by Brian’s Bone – a collective of artists based in the Taranaki region.
“A pounamu pendant is a fitting gift for the LA Galaxy team,” says Tourism New Zealand CEO George Hickton. “Pounamu is a precious stone, found in rivers and traditionally used by the Maori people of New Zealand. By receiving a pounamu pendant, the team is receiving a little bit of New Zealand culture, for them to take with them on their travels.”
