A vehicle with the uniforms inside was stolen. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A car containing a school wrestling team's uniforms and shoes has been stolen before a major tournament.
A vehicle was stolen early on Monday morning in the west Auckland suburb of New Lynn.
A box containing 30 wrestling uniforms and wrestling boots, belonging to De La Salle College, was inside.
Police found the car abandoned afternoon in Clendon Park on Monday afternoon, but the uniforms were gone.
The school had bought the uniforms ahead of the Secondary Schools National Wrestling Competition on Friday.
"We are working hard to identify and locate those responsible and are hoping someone in the community knows where these uniforms may be," Waitematā West Inspector Kelly Farrant said.
De La Salle College wrestling coach Josh Silbery-Martin said this was the second time his vehicle has been stolen but his only concern was retrieving the uniforms before Friday's national competition.
"I was way more worried about the gear.
"It's been pretty tough, my wife and I have worked really hard to bring this new sport to De La Salle and for this to happen - it's gutting."
He had found some spare uniforms but was hoping the new ones show up before Friday.
"It's just a bummer, we've all worked so hard and had sponsorship for these uniforms.
"I'm really hopeful they might just turn up."
