Jerry Collins Stadium officially opened in ceremony at Porirua Park

Last year Jerry Collins and his wife Alana Madill tragically in a car accident in France. Collins died protecting his baby daughter Ayla, who survived but remains in a critical condition. 

Today Porirua Park was officially renamed Jerry Collins Stadium and a commemorative plaque was unveiled in his honour at the foot of the grandstand.

Members of Collins’ family, the Northern United Rugby Football Club, former players and teammates and many people from the local community were there to witness the plaque’s unveiling and to pay their respects to former Norths, Wellington, Hurricane and All Black loose forward Collins.

The grandstand was blessed by Ngati Toa iwi Kaumatua, before short speeches by Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett and Jerry’s father, Frank Collins, and then the plaque's unveiling by Collins' family. 

Leggett spoke of the pride and affection that the Porirua community has for Jerry’s memory.

“Naming this plaque in his honour is testament to the esteem he is held in our city, across our nation and across the world,” said Leggett.

“Recalling the thousands of people that marched down Warspite Avenue in his memory in June last year, we have never seen as much spontaneous outpouring of love and warmth in our community. A powerful tribute to a kind and generous free spirit. Especielly to the young people throughout Porirua who loved and admired him.”

Frank spoke on behalf of the family, recounting some tales of when Jerry was a boy playing on Porirua Park, in the days before the grandstand was built.

Representatives from Carrus Corporation were present. Carrus sponsored today’s ceremony.

The ceremony concluded with a rousing haka by the Northern United Premiers, followed by a gathering in the clubrooms.

The inaugural match played on Jerery Collins Stadium was the Harper Lock Shield Premier Reserve fixture between home side Northern United and Petone.

The Premier Swindale Shield opener between Norths and Petone followed. New Norths head coach Gerrard Fasavalu and Petone co-coach Riki Flutey were both in the New Zealand U19 team with Jerry Collins that won the Junior World Cup in 2000.

In the 25-0 final win over home nation Wales, wing Fasavalu scored two tries, Flutey kicked a conversion and a penalty, while Collins was reported to have had a “storming match”