Howard Broad

Wellington, Feb 8 NZPA - Police Commissioner Howard Broad has thanked Wellington's rugby players for their part in tackling domestic violence.

Today Wellington rugby star Victor Vito accepted a certificate of appreciation from Mr Broad on behalf of players from the Wellington Rugby Football Union.

The players were commended by Mr Broad for their participation in a domestic violence campaign during a visit to Samoa last year.

Ten members of the Hurricanes and Lions teams visited Samoa for personal development training in November. While there they supported the NZAid Pacific Prevention of Domestic Violence Programme (PPDVP), taking the message "Break the Silence, End the Violence" into villages and schools throughout the country.

PPDVP is funded through NZAid and run by New Zealand Police. Its aim is to increase the capability of police in the Pacific to prevent and deal with domestic violence.

PPDVP programme manager Cam Ronald said the collaboration with Wellington rugby was a first for the PPDVP and the players made a huge impact wherever they went.

"We were impressed with their professional commitment to this project and today we wanted to formally thank them for their contribution and assistance with the programme," Mr Ronald said.

"These young men are role-models both here and in the Pacific and it was a fantastic opportunity for us to have them supporting the domestic violence message while in Samoa."

The players also made a series of three advertisements while there that will run on Samoan television during the high profile Super 14 season games.

Players who went to Samoa were: Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, John Schwalger, David Smith, Buxton Popoalii, Arden David-Perrot, Api Naikatini, Anthony Perenise, Robert Fruean and Alama Ieremia (assistant coach)