Welcome to this edition of our InTouch Newsletter

The history of our club, and varied connections are an integral part of who we are. Past and present, our club members achieve many amazing feats both home and abroad. To start this month’s newsletter, we would like to congratulate Karen Almond, who received an M B E for services to England Rugby. As well as playing for England, Karen moved to Christchurch playing for the Christchurch Football Club and Canterbury, during her playing days. Karen was inducted into the rugby hall of fame 2001. Well done Karen – what an amazing achievement!

With the season finally getting underway for our senior premier teams this week, we will start to move to a weekly newsletter, to provide the usual match reports. With the ongoing issues that Covid-19 presented, up until now, we haven't been able to invite spectators to games, however as our rugby report details below, the vast majority of pre-season games were unfortunately cancelled. With continuing ongoing covid issues, resources remain stretched, so it may be that we don't get the requested reports every week, but we will certainly do our best where we can!

Bar & Kitchen Update

 

 

A big welcome to the entire CFC family. What extraordinary times we are enduring at present. To be sure however, we are still zillions of times better off than the pour souls of Ukraine.

I’m not sure why, but for some reason this season has snuck up on us all, but none the less provides a worthy distraction from our day-to-day battle with Covid, which serves us with a daily reminder how we are all engineered differently.

The inside word tells me that our preseason has been very good, albeit in difficult circumstances and that we will see a lot of new talent and fresh faces this year.

I have been really enjoying Super 15 this year, especially last week’s performance by the Crusaders with our three CFC men, Will Jordan, Tom Christie and Quentin Strange all outstanding. This week’s derby against The Landers won’t be easy either, knowing the history between the two teams.

I think for me however, it’s the class of the Saders and their depth off the bench which just sets them apart and it’s been great to see Razor blooding young talent. That’s money in the bank really. Just so much talent.

How good was it to see Moana get up over the ‘Hurries”. I for one never saw that one coming.

I was thrilled to hear of the appointment last year of this year’s Div One Coaches John Sherratt and Chris Hammett. Two fantastic CFC club men, who I know will bring in a real CFC ethos to Div One this year. Both very experienced down to earth coaches  - great for both the team and club. On behalf of us all good luck and best wishes for the season!

It’s Sumner first up this week not at the usual St Leonard’s square but at McCormack’s Bay.

Can’t wait, see you all there.

Give Em The Axe.

Bob

CFC Board Focus – Hunter Johnston, Board Director & Club Captain

As Club Captain of Christchurch Football Club, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all players, members, supporters and officials to Christchurch Park. It is a real honour to be selected as the Club Captain this year, a role which I take much pride in. I’ve really enjoyed working within the Junior club for the past four years and want to bring some enthusiasm and new ideas to the table with the senior club. I have enjoyed talking to many of our existing club members in recent weeks and I thank everyone so far who has offered their support.

I feel extremely privileged to become the Club Captain of New Zealand’s oldest Rugby club. Coming from the deep south and starting my rugby life in the small rural community of Otautau it blows me away to now be part of such an iconic club. When I stand back and take a moment to think about our club “CFC” I must pinch myself and realise how much history our club has, we service an amazing community and represent a truly diverse range of members and their families.

One thing I have noticed in my time living in Christchurch is how easily false perceptions can be formed of rugby clubs, I have been told by several of my friends that we are the rich club with unlimited resource, I can categorically say this is not the case, like all clubs CFC relies heavily on volunteers, grants, sponsorships and some very hard-working individuals within our ranks.

The one big thing as a club captain I would like to push this year is “what can I do for the club?” rather than “what is the club doing for me?”. The club will always provide everything we physically can to ensure our players, members & supporters have a well organised welcoming environment to operate in, but we really do need this to be reciprocated. It is my goal to form even stronger bonds between our senior, junior players netball and rugby players, Life Members and our new to club members. If people have any ideas on how we improve our culture and what we can offer, then please reach out.

If we don’t adapt, we will eventually die as a club. I want Christchurch Football Club to remain great, whether that be through our junior club remaining the largest Club in the country or through our success on the fields and courts in the senior competitions.

Unfortunately, Covid is clearly not a Rugby fan and has caused the club and its limited but very hard-working volunteer base some headaches potentially pushing us to the limits of what we can achieve this year. Having said that, one thing can be for certain, we are committed to supporting and playing one of the greatest games on earth and your support CAN make all the difference!

I will do my best to introduce myself to all members in the coming weeks, I’ll be behind the bar or out on the fields most weekends so can’t wait to meet you all.

Let’s get out there and good luck to all for a fantastic season ahead!

Sponsor Focus

It’s been all go in our sponsorship department, and we are working hard to get 2022 sponsorship agreements out to our sponsors so we can get the paperwork finalised. It has been a tough time for many businesses out there and we appreciate the ongoing support from our sponsors new and returning.

We still have opportunities for signage and naming rights within the club and we would love to hear from any local business who would keen to support the club in return for us advertising and promoting your business to our club database.

Our 2022 Sponsorship Brochure, providing more information can be accessed by clicking here.

Alternatively, please get in touch with nicola.flint@christchurchpark.co.nz or call 021 906833.

This week, we would like to place the spotlight on Marty Fuller and his team from The Elmwood. Marty has stepped up again this year to provide whole of club sponsorship, alongside specific team support to our Prems and Nomads teams - what an absolute legend!

We've all read about the tough times our hospitality providers have had recently, and now it's time for us to support our sponsors in return! With a warm family friendly focus, and as the current receipient of the Best Local Award from NZ Hospitality, we think you'll enjoy your time at The Elmwood as much as we do. With the ability to  provide fund raising quizzes, conference facilities, group meals and great every day specials, there really is something for everyone. They've even got you covered if isolating at home - yes, that's right, if all else fails, order via Uber Eats!

Senior Rugby Report

With the Metro Premier Mens and Womens senior season set to kick off this weekend, yes, this weekend, it was welcomed news for organisers that rugby can proceed without the need to produce a vaccine pass and no limits on outdoor numbers from 4 April.

Whilst the above news is great, Covid is still making its way through clubs and teams. Delaying other senior grade teams until after Easter will hopefully help ensure Clubs have players to call upon if required.

The Christchurch Football Club, like most, has had a disrupted build up to their 2022 season. With players and management out with Covid, all but one pre-season game cancelled, it hasn’t been the build-up campaign planned. Returning head coach John “Shu” Sherratt advises it’s the same for everyone, you can’t control Covid, you have to just adapt to what’s put in front of you.

In our previous newsletter we advised of all our pre-season games and plans and it basically all went out the door.  

In doubt up to the last day, the only preseason game played last Friday night was of a combined Premiers and Premier Colt match against Shirley. Originally planned to be played at Shirley it at was moved to Chch Park at the last minute. It was all about getting players on the field and helping the coaches to look at team selections. Split over 4 x 20-minute quarters Shirley and CFC started with a Colts team. As each quarter finished Premier players were slowly introduced so the last 20 was a Premier side. It was a chance for players to get some game time as well for coaches to see the players in action. While the result itself was the less important aspect it gave teams a chance to see what had been working well and what to build on as we head into the season openers.  

With the Premier Mens and Women playing this weekend, Shu and assistant Coaches Chris “Lofty” Hammett and Jade Kirk had an unenviable task of selecting a 2022 squad on limited game time. 

In another first our formal announcement of our Premier team is below, and the more formal reading of the team will be done by our president Jerry Rowberry at our home game on 9^th April.    

 

Our Womens team will be welcoming back many of their squad who have been playing in the Super Rugby Aupiki series. They will be playing Prebbleton at Prebbleton on Saturday.

Before you suggest the ref has got it wrong this season, New Zealand Rugby are introducing a handful of Experimental Domestic Law Variations (EDSLVs). These law variations will be vary across grades, so click here for more information.

So here is how the first 2 weeks panned out for CFC. No games 16 April (Easter).

Premier Mens:

Saturday 2^nd April v Sumner @ St Leonards (updated location) 2.45pm

Saturday 9^th April v New Brighton @ Chch Park 2.45pm

Premier Womens:

Saturday 2^nd April v Prebbleton @ Prebbleton

Saturday 9^th April v Celtic @ Ashbuton Celtic 1.00pm

Full Details of the season draw for senior teams can be found by clicking  here (note a number of grades still to be finalised).

2022 CFC Netball Season

It's been a busy month for netball with all trials taking place for the entire club. We have managed to still have these despite today's environment and it looks like CFC Netball will have another strong 17 teams for the upcoming season. 3 competitive senior teams, 2 social and 12 Juniors ranging from U21 to Yr3.

The recruitment of coaches and umpires each year comes with its challenges, so far, we have had a great response from members willing to dedicate their time and skills for the club. On that note we would like to introduce to you our new Senior B Coach who is new to the club Keely. She answered our advertisement, and we are stoked to have you join the CFC family.

Kia ora, 

My name’s Keely and I am the new coach of our Senior B team. I have played and coached prem netball for the last 10+ years and have recently relocated back to Canterbury from Waitaki, Otago. My coaching experience lies solely around high-school teams and so I am excited for the new challenge ahead of coaching a senior women's team. I have completed numerous Netball NZ coaching courses and currently work in nutrition with children. I am also about to complete a Certificate in Personal Training. I have been fortunate enough to work in many high-school, primary and kindergarten age netball programs and cannot wait to share my knowledge with my team and club. I have a very “play hard, train harder” approach to my coaching style and am extremely excited to see what my team can produce this season. 

CFC Junior Corner

We are well into registration season now, with many families returning to us this year, along with a raft of new players to the club – we welcome you all! The Junior season doesn’t kick off until 7^th May, but we will start to put teams together as soon as registration near closing date.

We are so delighted to now have the ability to make plans, with mass gathering and outdoor restrictions lifted sufficiently to allow us to get cracking. We will get everyone together prior to Easter and will start to open training slots to our teams, as they get finalized over the next few weeks.

If you haven’t registered yet or know a friend that you would like to play rugby with you, the player registration link is still open until Friday 8^th April. Click here to register. Any 2022 Coaches and Managers who have yet to register, can complete their registration by clicking on the relevant link below:

2022 Coach Registration

2022 Manager Registration

Mandatory Pre-Season Have a Go Sessions (and weigh in for tackle grades)

These will start from Thurs 7^th April and run through until Weds 13^th April. We request ALL players to aim to attend their relevant age grade session. This is also an opportunity to have all coaches and managers meet to discuss the forming of teams and ensure we are providing a place for all our registered players both returning and new.

- Children will need to bring their mouth guards and boots for this session.

- Managers and Coaches will be asked to help draft teams for the upcoming season, if you have registered your interest in coaching or managing a team for 2022 then please attend.

- Sessions will be run by our Club Captain, CFC Junior Committee and selected members of our coaching team and senior club

Exact dates and times will be sent out to all registered players by 3^rd April – we appreciate that we do need to be fluid now with Covid cases continuing play havoc with everything, so if you can’t make your scheduled session, we can plan for you to attend another session with prior notice. All info will be included in the email and Facebook correspondence sent out to our families.

Article added: Wednesday 30 March 2022