Two matches and off-the-pitch entertainment will bring together the Waikato football community this weekend to support former local player Johnny Konings, who faces a battle to walk again.
Past and present footballers will feature in two charity games at Hamilton’s Porritt Stadium on Friday night, and Saturday afternoon, as part of the fundraising weekend (September 6-7) to help Konings.
Former Northern League player Konings (31) moved to Australia’s Gold Coast two years ago to begin a new life and indulge his love of surfing.
He was surfing a popular break at Duranbah on the Tweed Heads in June when a wipeout slammed him into a sandbar, breaking his spine and ribs, and leaving him with a collapsed lung.
Konings was rescued but is now paralysed from the waist down, with a prognosis that he may never walk again.
He is undergoing a rehabilitation programme at a spinal injury unit in Brisbane, and expects to remain in hospital till early 2025.
Main photo: Johnny Konings at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane,
Two of Konings’ former teammates at Hamilton Wanderers, Ricky Broderson and Jordan Shaw, launched the Waikato fundraiser to help Konings with his recovery.
The weekend’s activities will get underway on Friday evening, at 6.30pm, with a masters match between a Johnny Konings invitation side, and a Hamilton Wanderers invitation line-up.
“This game will feature some of the older (and admittedly less fit) members of the football community, all whom have ties to Johnny,” organisers say.
On Saturday, at 2pm, a Johnny Konings All Stars side will take on a Wanderers All Stars team.
“These games will be a great opportunity to watch some of the top talent that has graced the Waikato football scene over the last decade or two. Normally, this alone would make the matches worth attending, but with the added incentive to raise funds for Johnny, we are urging people to come to Porritt Stadium to enjoy and support,” organisers say.
Teams will feature past teammates of Konings from Wanderers, Ngāruawāhia United, Claudelands Rovers and Melville United.
After starting at Melville United as a youth, Konings played several seasons at Hamilton Wanderers where he captained the Northern Premier side, winning Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year and Club Sportsperson of the Year during a successful period where the team finished consistently in the top echelon of the league.
He transferred to Ngāruawāhia United where he also found success with their promotion-winning team. He also had a season at Claudelands Rovers.
Broderson, now first team coach at WaiBOP League One leaders Northern United, and Shaw, now first team coach at Lotto NRFL Southern Conference champions Cambridge, have called on their network of local players, ex-players and the football community to support this event.
Shaw said: “There won’t be many players of our era who didn’t know Johnny, either as a teammate or tough opponent.”
Shaw and Broderson say that despite the parochial and partisan nature of club football, the region’s clubs have banded together “brilliantly” for the event, showing that football is much more than on-field rivalry.
“Johnny is a well-loved and highly respected member of the local football scene,” Broderson says.
“A decent guy who always went above and beyond to help others. An example of this was when he took it upon himself to build individual lockers for the players, utilizing his builder’s skills.
“We hope people will now look to repay Johnny in his battle.”
Organisers hope some of Konings opponents from Auckland clubs, or spectators who saw him play games there, will make the road trip to Hamilton to attend.
Meanwhile, anyone looking to support the event with prizes or donations can contact Rod de Lisle by emailing roddel@xtra.co.nz.
Fundraising activities
Spectators can make a donation at the Porritt Stadium gate.
As well as the football, food and beverages will be available, with children’s activities and music. A lucky numbered match programme on entry will give spectators the chance to win restaurant vouchers and other spot prizes.
Saturday’s match will be followed by live and silent auctions.
You can also click on links for some of the following prizes and place bids through TradeMe.
The TradeMe auctions close at 5pm on Saturday. Prizes include:
- Return helicopter trip for two from Hamilton for lunch at Man of War vineyard, Waiheke.
- Top-of-the-line fish smoker.
- Signed Auckland FC shirt donated by All Whites striker Logan Rogerson.
- Signed 2021 Waikato Farrah Palmer winning rugby shirt.
- Signed All Whites 2024 OFC Nations Cup football shirt.
- Signed Football Ferns 2024 Olympic Games shirt.
- All Black and Black Ferns shirts.
- Signed Wellington Phoenix football shirt.
- Signed UFC gloves.
- Football signed by legend Zinedine Zidane.
- Signed pair of football boots donated by Football Ferns and Phoenix defender Mackenzie Barry.
How you can help now
Supporters of Konings have set up a GoFundMe page, which by early September had raised more than $48,000 towards its $100,000 target.
The page is also being used as a platform to keep friends and family updated with his recovery.
You can visit the GoFundMe page here:
Fixtures
Game to be played on Friday September 6, 2024
Johnny Konings Masters v Wanderers Masters
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, 6.30pm
Game to be played on Saturday September 7, 2024
Johnny Konings All Stars v Wanderers All Stars
Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, 2pm
BBQ and bar will be operational with all profits to the Johnny Konings rehabilitation fund.
This story was first published on September 5, 2024.
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