Friday 5th August 2011

Media Release for Immediate Release

Former New Zealand Cricketer Paul McEwan has taken out the 2011 New Zealand Poker Champs (NZPC) Media Charity Event.

(NZPC) Media Charity Event held last night at Christchurch Casino.  Paul, also the director of the

Canterbury Neonatal Trust Fund managed to knock out over 50 other media competitors to take

home not only the coveted Media Charity Event Winner Trophy but also $5,000 for his charity.

After a hotly contested fun Poker tournament, over 50 media personalities were whittled down to

just ten, of which were then matched with ten Canterbury charities for the final table showdown.

Among those who were knocked out early were Brooke Howard Smith, Mike King, Amber Peebles

and Tane Norton, although playing a strategic game they were no match to the top ten contenders.

Paul McEwan, with the largest chip stack began to eliminate the other competitors at the final table

including past All Black Fergie McCormick who put up a great fight. After an exhilarating hour for

both the charities and competitors only three remained in contention, but in the end Paul was the

obvious winner.

Winner, Paul McEwan, says that he’s

thrilled with the win, “I’m so happy to

have won for my Charity! It was tough,

but lots of fun.  I can’t thank the

Christchurch Casino enough; this

money will go a long way”.

After taking out the other contenders,

Paul was presented with the coveted

2011 NZPC Media Charity Event Winner

trophy and a $5,000 cheque for his

charity the Canterbury Neonatal Trust

Fund.

Andrew Currie of TV3 came second winning $3,000 for St John with third place of $2,000 going to

the Student Volunteer Army.

The New Zealand Poker Championships officially begins this Saturday 6th August at Christchurch

Casino, with the Main Event final taking place on Sunday 14th August.