Welcome to this edition of our InTouch Newsletter

CFC Club President Update

Tena koutou katua.  As we are nearly at the play-offs time of the season, I’d like to look back briefly at our season so far. The Premier Senior team sit in 8th position, with one game to go in the first round against Lincoln University. This team has had some injury problems, have brought new players into the squad, but has begun to find its feet in recent weeks and being in the top eight means we have a starters chance in the playoffs. They are being superbly led by Sam Stewart at hooker and we wish them all the best in their final games.

The Premier Reserves lie 6th in their grade and like all our men’s top teams, they play Lincoln University this weekend. Our Colts, having lost several games very narrowly, lie 5th, while our Women’s team have once again made the final and will play Canterbury University this Saturday night at Nga Puna Wai at 5pm. Their coaches Ross Tarawhiti and Pete Manson and their captain Kaylee Tavendale are to be congratulated on making another final and we wish them all the best for Saturday. The Crocs lie 10th in Premier reserve Div 2 while the Nomads are 6th in the same grade.

Our Junior Club is having a stellar season as many of you know. We have around 40 teams playing every week, that is over 450 boys and girls!

We thank all their coaches and managers and must pay particular tribute to their small, hard-working committee led by Club Captain Hunter Johnston, Club Business Manager Nicola Flint, Jess Taylor, Craig Gray, Tina Mahony & Paul Saunders.

I would like to acknowledge the recent passing of two former Club Members.

Mike Forrester played Second Grade A through the 1970s as a lively flanker on the other side of the scrum to John Mill and was also on the Committee. He and his wife Heather moved to Rockhampton in North Queensland in 1980 and he immediately joined the Brothers Club and went on to become their President. A number of club members attended the burying of his ashes alongside his parents in the Waimairi Cemetery this week. Mike is survived by his wife Heather and their three children Lisa, Ben and Natalie.

A former Rugby Development Officer at our club, Mike O’Donovan, passed away last week after a short illness aged 65. Mike played his club rugby on the wing, in an outstanding Senior Marist team coached by the immortal Des Hansen in the 1970s and early 80s. He also played for Blaketown and the West Coast while later living in Greymouth.

He later selected and coached a NZ Under 20 team with his great friend Brent Elder. He was RDO at the Christchurch Football Club 2009-2018, where he introduced a generation of players to club rugby. He was also a great supporter of the Cantabrian Club’s coaching schools at Burnham Camp. In recent years he was RDO at the Linwood Club for two years and at the time of his illness he had returned to his beloved Marist Albion Club to run their rugby.

Mike is remembered as a cheerful, hardworking and popular member of the Canterbury rugby family and many will miss his warm handshake followed by a good man hug! Mike is survived by his wife Lorna, two children Daniel and Cherana and grandchildren Ben, Beth, Ethan, Makenzie and Coll.

Jerry Rowberry,

CFC Club President

WEEKLY EVENTS

We are delighted to be welcoming the U15 Noosa Dolphins with select committee, coaches and management to our club this week. Arriving very late on Thursday 23^rd until early on Monday 27^th June, we have a range of activities and events scheduled for them. Please make sure you say hello and make them feel welcome as you see them around the clubrooms and grounds.

The bar and restaurant will be open during the weekend for several under lights games this weekend. Opening times and senior games as follows:

Car Park Security Reminder

Unfortunately, we had another set of break ins and thefts this weekend from our back car park area overnight on Saturday.

Please do not leave any valuables on show in your vehicles, remember to lock up and we recommend not leaving any vehicles overnight in the back car park area.

WOW,WOW,WOW,! There just aren’t enough superlatives to sum up this remarkable team’s performance last Saturday. To a man they were superb.

Sadly, in my mind however, for the AB’s, as so many especially their forwards playing for the Blues were embarrassed. How on earth could they pick the All Blacks prior to the final?

Fantastic to see CFC Women’s star Lucy Anderson debuting for the Black Ferns v Canada and putting in a ‘storming ‘performance to boot. And great to see our CFC Prem Women aim for back-to-back premiership wins this weekend!

It was good to see the Colts have a good win over University and also good to watch the Nomads and Crocs battle it out on No 3.

Div One could have easily won v Marist. Just a couple of crucial moments costing them.
It was also great to see ex CFC legend and tight head prop Chris King answer the call of duty in our time of front row crisis. Now 41 years old but you’d never think so. Played a great 40 minutes before limping off with a pulled calf muscle.

Currently sitting eighth on the ladder a win this week v Lincoln Uni may be critical.
In the meantime stay warm. See you Saturday.

Give ‘Em The Axe
Bob

FROM THE SIDELINE

A cold and grey day for what was Junior Club day at ChCh Park on Saturday.

However this did not deter the hundreds of Junior players and the parents getting down to support them. The club set up bouncy castles. The sausage sizzle was all set up and manned by members of the Senior players.

Our President Jerry Rowberry and Chairman Viv de Beus were both on hand early welcoming all. A great day had by all the Junior section, and we are so lucky with all the marvellous volunteers who keep this great section of the club rolling.

The Senior afternoon games saw a local derby between the Nomads and the Croc’s on field 3 in the Premier Reserve grade. The Nomads taking the spoils on this occasion.

An interesting addition to their side this week being ex All Black Corey Flynn.
Welcome to the club Corey. It is very rare these days to see a current All Black playing club rugby let alone a past one. Great camaraderie shared between both teams, who are great assets to the club.

Colts had a tough but important win over University which still keeps them in contention.
No 2 Zac Landon Lane and No 10 Angus Hammett both featuring along with No 7 Jack Stokes who sadly suffered a serious broken jaw when he came on in the Premier game later in the day. Let’s hope Jack you have a good recovery. A blow for the Colts going forward.
The early fixture on No 1 field saw the Premier Women play HSOB in a semi-final for the championship. It turned out a one-sided affair with ChCh winning by 100 points.

Whilst it was one sided the handling and passing combined with the support play was of a very high standard. Lucy Jenkins No 7 scoring a brace of tries and underlying her undoubted potential to go on to a higher level. After match the girls celebrated by watching teammate Lucy Anderson make her debut for the Black Ferns. Well done Lucy.
 

The Premier Men’s match started with a gathering on the field by all teams who had played at the park, standing together as one in a minute’s silence in honour of the sad passing of former RDO Mike O’Donovan. It was quite appropriate that the two clubs that Mike had spent firstly his playing days with, Marist, and our club where he had spent 10 years in his role should be facing off. RIP Mike.
Marist/ Albion have been our enigma in the past two seasons and it was to be again on Saturday.

Lincoln University at home this Saturday so dies not get any easier. They will be without a few NZ under 20 player’s but will still produce a very good side. Christchurch have season ending injuries to Hunter Wilson No 7, Jack Kneebone (Prop), Sam Cotton (Prop). Ben Lopas (Prop) should be back for the playoffs as should lock Dominic Brankin. Wilson who has been in outstanding form this season is a massive loss. A broken cheekbone against Old Boys that went unpunished.

Depending on results we can either finish 7th or 8th this weekend which would mean we play 5th or 6th in sudden death. Looking at this weekend’s draw and likely finishing spots that means either Linwood or HSOB, either of which would be away games. In the event of us beating Lincoln University this weekend it would be them again next week.
No easy task, whichever way you look at it. However we are in the eight. It all starts again and if we play well enough, we have a chance. All to play for.

Lastly a big thank you to Milsie’s band of men who have each week been making huge improvements to the surroundings of the park. Fences all painted; Leaves all gone. Job nearly complete.

Thought for the week:
Commitment out there each week, means struggle, it means effort, always sacrifice and at times disappointment. However, you should aim to win every contest you are in.

Don’t go out there for eighty minutes sweating, just to find out what it feels like to sweat.

“ Run until you are buggered and then increase the pace,”
“Give em the Axe.”

David Stuthridge
Sponge

THIS WEEKS DRAWS

Senior Draw

Junior Draw

PREMIER MEN’S REPORT

Premiers VS Marist Albion

HT 10-14 FT 23-35

Christchurch premiers came with another battle this week against Marist Albion. An even battle on paper but Marist Albion the better side on the day.
 

Off the kick off some momentum for the away side lead to a lineout in Christchurch's trenches. An influx of forwards meant Christchurch was immediately on the back foot. 7-0 the score in just the first 3 minutes. Christchurch sparked their own bit of magic but penalties and knock ons against them meant no points on the board. However, in the 19th minute Christchurch set the middle of the field as their scope in Marists’ 22 with pods flushing in both sides. A couple of penalties Christchurch's way led to a kick in front which Connor Watherston-Spencer nailed for 7-3. 

The game was looking fairly even, but there was a sense that in the still cold conditions, ball in hand was going to be crucial. Marist proved this midway through the half as they spurred another kick in the corner. Ultimately setting up their second try of the game relatively comfortably. The opposite happened in the 35th minute as Christchurch began their comeback operation. A lineout drive which has done them so much good in the opening games of the season made another appearance with Sam Stewart falling over the line one phase later. Watherston-Spencer continued his form with the boot converting the try for a halftime score of 10-14 Marist's way.

Christchurch opened the half dominant with 2 series of strong phases leading to two more penalties that were nailed for 16-14. The change of lead was promising for the homeside however some niggly defensive issues followed with Marist racking up a massive 21 points in 15 minutes. The first try salt in the wound for the homeside and a hard one to recover from leaving an open gap for Marist Albion’s #12 to run over 50 meters and score under the uprights.

With ball in hand Christchurch showed their potential but a pileup of 3 tries is always a tough one to come back to. Continuous little errors allowed passage of play to undo any significant territory made. A wide ball from Cole Spinks gave Jovilisi Taleqa some space out wide which Josh Ree came through to soften the blow. The try and conversion finished the game for a final score of 23-35 in favour of the away side.

The boys will be hurting after the loss this week, a really tough game which could've gone either way. Christchurch need to figure out how they are going to build on their momentum after points if they have any hope of getting up that ladder. Another home game for Matariki weekend this week so make sure you get down and support the fellas as they take on a 5th placed Lincoln side.

PREMIER COLTS REPORT

CFC Colts V University B, Win to CFC 34-7

On a busy day at CFC with junior club day in full swing, car parking at a premium, bouncy castles, sausage sizzles, face painting, kids and parents everywhere, the colts team were busy waking players up to remind them that it was indeed Saturday, and they had a rugby game on.

In our first game from a 2-week break, we had trained well during the week with another lot of changes due to injuries and unavailability’s we headed into this game full of confidence.

With an early try to Harrison Mitchell, it looked as though things would be nice and easy and would flow well for the game. Oh, how wrong we were. What turned out to be a tough first half where we decided it was better to try and play as 15 individuals rather than as a team, Uni scored a try to level the scores at 7-7. We managed to finally score again just before half time to take it out to 12-7.

Some choice words from Chops at half time was the gentle reminder that we don’t need to drop our level down too theirs but more stay at our level, play our game and play it as a team. Some classy play by the team lead to tries by Sean Rutherford Bradford and impact payer Jack Caunter, giving us the win 34-7.

So, a much better performance in the 2nd half with the only dampener on the day being that we have lost our captain Jack Stokes for the season, due to a nasty injury sustained in the Div 1 Premier game. We wish Jack a speedy recovery.

Thanks

Chops, Brocky, Breeezy Dan and Q

CFC NETBALL UPDATE

Netball has hit their halfway mark in the season and all teams are coping well with the ever-continuing sickness/covid that is still around.

Committee is in planning mode for some fun activities coming up for the rest of the season. Junior teams have Funky Fridays taking place in July - Netball's version of Wacky Wednesdays. 

We are hosting our coaches one evening at The Elmwood to say thanks for all their dedication, commitment and time that is put into coaching our teams, all of this wouldn't be possible without you all.

Last Saturday night Netball held Top Gun Theme night at the clubrooms for seniors. Great to see some people dressing up even if the Nomads didn’t get the memo that it was Top Gun. Impressive singing from Hunter the club caption too!

Senior update: 

A team started a new round last weekend after a tough first round. Been close most weeks so bonus points scored but never a win. We needed to make our last game of the round a win to stay in Seniors. We accomplished this with a great game over Marist B, thanks for all supporters for the loud cheering it does help. Have to give credit to the team as it has been tough but each week, they all turn up, hungry to learn, wanting to play better. This round won't be any easier, so tough 7 weeks ahead, but I know they are all ready for it.

B team had a great first round finishing 4th in their section which made them progress to section 1 of their grade. They are gelling well and playing some great netball each week. Looking forward to seeing how this round goes for them.

C team’s performance each week keeps improving and it's working nicely out on the court. Pulled back last week 4 down to come away with a draw. 

D team moved up to section 1 of their grade and are smashing it. Great to see this team in action. Call themselves social but still see them down at Hagley each week having a practice and out of court it shows they deserve to be at the top.

Social E team came away with their first win a couple of weeks back. They are enjoying playing the game and when they have a full team it shows what having a few subs can do

This weekend Netball has a weekend off to celebrate Matariki weekend. Good break for everyone to enjoy spending time with family/friends and resting those bodies. 

Nic Samson

CFC Netball President

CFC Junior Corner

How good was Junior U6-U11 Club Day! With all our teams playing at home on a freezing, day, but the rain held off (mostly), followed by an afternoon of fun activities, we were delighted with how the day went, despite the temperature!

This week, we still have games on, despite the long weekend. If you can, we encourage you to come down to the clubrooms to support our Prems, playing at 2:45pm and our CFC Prem Women who are aiming for back-to-back wins in the Premiership Final at Nga Pun Wai at 5pm – Good luck to you all and wishing all our junior teams great games this weekend!

Wacky Wednesday & Thursdays – Bar & Restaurant Open from 4:30pm

Wacky Wednesday and Thursday meals are now regularly available to any families or teams keen to come along and enjoy a drink and meal in the clubrooms before, during or after training sessions. All are welcome and we strongly encourage you to come and support the club by being part of these events.

CFC Junior Committee

CFC Apparel

For anyone needing new shorts and socks, please go online to order via the CFC Gear Store: Christchurch FC Sports gear Store | Impakt

Article added: Thursday 23 June 2022