As far as Hurricanes fans go, the Prince family are among the most passionate throughout New Zealand.
Based in Taranaki and entrenched in Chiefs territory, their support of the Hurricanes is indisputable. You only need to look as far as the club memorabilia that hangs within their home, and their commitment to commuting to Wellington for each home match.
More specifically, 14-year-old Kaia Prince – the second daughter in the family – has a particularly strong affinity with the Hurricanes, one that stretches back to 2014.
Back then, as a toddler, Kaia won a sponsored auction to have her name printed on Cory Jane’s playing jersey after pointing him out for wearing her favourite No 14 during a match on TV.
A meet-and-greet was then arranged, a very young Kaia presented Cory with his playing jersey, and the family’s love for both him and the club has never since wavered.
Three-year-old Kaia presenting ex-Hurricanes wing and current assistant coach Cory Jane with his playing jersey in 2014.
“We were, as a adults, always Hurricanes fans, but then we had the kids. Ever since then, Cory has been Kaia’s biggest role model,” Maz Prince, Kaia’s mum, said.
“He sent her birthday cards because she gave him a birthday invite for her parties. She actually came to the 2016 final with a picture of him going on an airplane because that was when he left to Japan.
“He’s been really influential anywhere he’s gone. Kaia’s played rugby since she was three. She just loves the game. It’s not just the playing it. She loves everything about it. That’s how it started.
“From then, we went to games, we became Hurricanes Members, and we’ve met so many incredible people from rugby and made so many connections.”
After becoming Hurricanes Members 11 years ago, Kaia and Maz have enjoyed plenty of experiences with the club, including when Kaia ran the substitutes bench for the men’s team during a match last season.
What stands out for Maz, though, are the friendships they have formed with other members that have lasted more than a decade.
Kaia in action at a Hurricanes match in more recent years.
“Our family time is rugby. That’s our passion, that’s our time together, so Wellington is like a home away from home,” Maz said.
“I remember we turned up at the Platinum Members Lounge for the first time. We went over to a table where there’s a couple of old ducks, as I call them, and they’d been members for years. Since then, every season, we sit with those same ladies.
“One of them, she actually lived in Newtown. Rugby League Park used to be just across the road from her, and she’s been a member right since the beginning.
“Now, when we go down to Wellington – my oldest daughter travels down for ballet quite a bit – she lets us stay with her. We’re now friends with her. When we come down, we can stay at her place.
“The friendships we’ve formed from meeting people in the Members Lounge, and the fact that we’re still with that group of ladies, the four of them, the whole time we’ve been there is just amazing.”
Those interactions with fellow Hurricanes fans, as well as those with the club’s players, has established the Hurricanes as a key component within the Prince family throughout the years.
The Prince family have been long-time Hurricanes Members.
“It’s our life. It’s literally our life, the Hurricanes. I can never, ever not imagine, and Kaia and all the kids will say it, but we just can’t imagine not being a member,” Maz said.
“We count down to the season starting. We’re aware of anything going on. Compared to where I’m from in England, what I appreciate so much is the fact there’s no celebrity status over here with the players or coaches.
“It was cool for Kaia when she was running the subs bench last season, and after the match, so many of the boys came over to her and said, ‘Hey Kaia, so nice to see you’.
“It was so cool that they went to her, they recognise her, and went to speak to her. She was like, ‘Mum, they know who I am’. They don’t have to do that, which is really cool.
“Pretty much everybody back home thinks we’re mad that we travel for every single home game, but that’s our family time. Those home games are a priority. People ask, ‘How much does it cost?’. It’s irrelevant. It’s memories. It’s family time.
“We’re not big on family values of buying lots of stuff. I’d rather make memories for my kids.
“Kaia’s now 14, so the Hurricanes have been part of her life for 10 years, and it’s the fact she herself appreciates that and knows the opportunity she’s getting. That makes me proud as a parent.”
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