Page 12 - League Lens - Feb 2018
P. 12
STORM BREWING
After years spent in getting a team from Pukekohe this happening in time for the
Premiership obscurity, the playing in the Sharman Cup,” 2018 season.”
Franklin Storm is about to Henry says.
bring top footy back to
Auckland’s far south. After talks with ARL general
“My old man, John Henry, who manager Greg Whaiapu and
has some experience with the receiving advice to go forward,
Compromising of players from amalgamation of clubs in the Henry and his crew approached
the Tuakau, Waiuku and past, said there was probably a the Franklin clubs – Tuakau,
Pukekohe clubs, the Storm will way, but we’d have to join all Waiuku and Pukekohe – to see
become the ARL’s newest three clubs to see if they’d be if a combined team to
team. keen on the idea. participate in the Sharman Cup
Premiership was something of
interest.
Since its birth, the team has
attracted over 60 interested “We knew this would
players, with the anticipation create a lot of “All three clubs were keen to
of a successful year ahead. opportunities not only jump on board,” Henry says.
for the players, but for
Head coach and experienced the Franklin “We knew that this would
rugby league player, Jody community.” create a lot of opportunities
Henry, talks about the team’s not only for the players, but
formation and their for the Franklin community...
excitement to play in the “It flew around in the air for a the response in getting this
Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup bit, but we knew there was underway has been really
Premiership this season. some interest in playing at positive.”
Premiership level, so we
decided to get serious about it
“I had my parents and a few and talk to Auckland Rugby
mates over when we started League about the likelihood of
talking about the possibility of
