The Waikato football community have banded together following a recent serious accident to a former local player. 

Johnny Konings (31) moved to Australia two years ago to begin a new life in the Gpld Coast and indulge in 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. He was rescued but is currently recovering at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, paralyzed from 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”. 

Two of Konings’ ex-Hamilton Wanderers team mates, Ricky Broderson and Jordan Shaw, have launched a local fundraiser to assist Johnny in his recovery.  Hamilton Wanderers have generously granted use of their facilities for this event. 

A charity football match has been arranged for September 7th at Porritt Stadium where a Wanderers Invitational team will take on a Waikato Invitational side. Both teams will feature past teammates of Konings from Hamilton Wanderers, Ngāruawāhia United, Claudelands Rovers and Melville. It is also hoped one or two big name players can be recruited for this match.

After starting at Melville 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 Northern United, and Shaw, now first team coach at Cambridge AFC will call on the network of local players, ex-players and the football community to support this event. Shaw says “There won’t be many players of our era that didn’t know Johnny, either as a team mate or tough opponent.” 

He explains that they are looking for player-sponsorship, donations of prizes for an auction and raffle to be held concurrently with the match. There will also be a donation at the gate. 

Broderson says “Johnny was a well loved and highly respected member of the local football scene. 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 builders 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- roddel@xtra.co.nz  

There is also a GoFundMe page which can be found here

Details:

Wanderers Invitational 11 versus Rest of the Waikato Invitational 11. 
2pm Saturday Sept 7 | Porritt stadium. 
BBQ and bar will be operational with all profit to the Johnny Konings rehabilitation fund. 

Article added: Friday 05 July 2024