An end-of-season charity match will be staged in Hamilton to rally support for former local player Johnny Konings, who faces a battle to walk again.
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 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.
Recently engaged, his fiancé, Charlotte Gordon, says he is “determined to walk out of hospital”.
Main photo: Konings has been receiving treatment at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane,
Two of Konings’ former teammates at Hamilton Wanderers, Ricky Broderson and Jordan Shaw, have launched a local fundraiser to help Konings with his recovery.
A charity match will be staged at Wanderers’ Porritt Stadium on Saturday September 7, 2024, between a Wanderers Invitational XI and a Waikato Invitational XI.
Both teams will feature past teammates of Konings from Wanderers, Ngāruawāhia United, Claudelands Rovers and Melville United.
Organisers are also trying to recruit a few big-name players for the match.
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 leaders Cambridge will call on the 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.”
He explains they are looking for player sponsorship, donations of prizes for an auction and raffle to be held concurrently with the match.
Spectators can make a donation at the Porritt Stadium gate.
“Johnny was 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.”
Anyone looking to support the event with prizes or donations can contact Rod de Lisle by emailing roddel@xtra.co.nz.
How you can help now
Supporters of Konings have set up a GoFundMe page, which by mid-July has raised more than $42,000 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:
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday September 7, 2024
Wanderers Invitational XI v Rest of the Waikato Invitational XI
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 July 17, 2024.
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