Tokoroa brings World Cup home

Rights to screen this year’s live Rugby World Cup matches have been nabbed by Tokoroa.

The sporting event upon everyone’s lips cannot come soon enough for Tokoroa Cinema 3 as it prepares to bring all the big games to the big screen.

[pullquote] As far as sport goes, it is a pretty big deal. This town is crazy about rugby”[/pullquote]

“Big Screen, Big Sound and Maximum Impact” has been promised to patrons for all semi-finals, the bronze final and grand final world cup games.

South Waikato Cinema Complex Manager Shadna Nand loves the rugby and has been trying to screen live sport events through SKY Television New Zealand since South Waikato Cinema owner Edwin Donnidhorne took over.

“The big city EVENT cinemas are going directly through the Rugby association and will be showing it in 3D. As far as I know, we are the only cinema [independent of larger cities] screening the World Cup,” said Miss Nand.

Gaining the tender was not smooth however, because of previous unauthorisedscreenings by an earlier owner.

A good few months of persuasion has paid off for Miss Nand, with SKY awarding a 12 month contract to the cinema.

The contract allows the world cup and other major sports such as league, cricket and netball to screen in their new multifunctional lounge, Unknown.

“As far as sport goes, it is a pretty big deal. This town is crazy about rugby,” said Miss Nand.

“We will show selected cup games [Rugby World] such as the Island games i.e. Samoa, Fiji and then the major players Australia, New Zealand, South Africa…”

With 26.6 percent of Tokoroa (Census 2006) being of Pacific ethnicity and the Islands being the most common birthplace for overseasTokoroa residents, the clash between Fiji and Samoa will be a must to watch.

Ongoing cinema supporters, who come on a weekly basis, will get first priority for tickets.

The remaining will go to the public as Miss Nand believes it is important to offer to those who have supported the business first.

Ticket prices and screening details are to be confirmed closer to the time of kick off.