Herbert to give talk in Rotorua | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Rotorua football fans will get the opportunity to meet All Whites coach Ricki Herbert when he visits the city for a speaking engagement next week.

Herbert and his team have become national heroes following their success at the recent Fifa World Cup in South Africa where, while unable to come up with a win, they were the only team to remain unbeaten.

The football heroes will be celebrated at a parade through central Wellington on July 21. Non-Wellington All Whites Ivan Vicelich and Aaron Clapham have confirmed their attendance and US-based Simon Elliott is flying in from the United States.

New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading said the team would go down in history as one of New Zealand's greatest sporting stories and there's plenty of excitement about Herbert's visit to Rotorua.

He will be the keynote speaker at a lunch being held at Heritage Rotorua on Friday, July 30, organised by Rotorua businessman Tony McLaughlin.

"It's an absolutely golden opportunity and a dream come true to have Ricki come to Rotorua," Mr McLaughlin said.

"It's an opportunity to raise the profile of the game here. Ricki has tremendous leadership qualities and it will be great to have him here sharing his experiences, not just at this year's World Cup, but his role in the Phoenix."

Mr McLaughlin said he had arranged the speaking engagement before Herbert left for the Fifa World Cup.

"In March or April, I went to listen to Ricki speak at an engagement in Taupo and he was really great. I went up and asked him if he would come to Rotorua and he said he would."

The organiser said he was looking forward to the event.

"It's quite topical right now, especially after results in South Africa. I'm sure he will have some great stories to tell."

Tickets for the lunch are available from McLeods Booksellers, Stirling Sports, Action Truck Rentals and Heritage Rotorua.

Mr McLaughlin said the lunch would be informal with the opportunity for those attending to ask Herbert questions.

While in Rotorua Herbert will also get the chance to watch some local football with Mr McLaughlin taking the coach to watch junior soccer at Puarenga Park the following day..