Welcome!

Welcome to the latest newsletter keeping you in touch with the news from within the Christchurch Football Club.

Read on for more details…

A.I. Cottrell Award

At the Club’s 2024 Annual General Meeting Brent Bruce was awarded the A.I. Cottrell Medallion.

The Cottrell Award recognises the outstanding contributions of a Club member in any aspects of Club administration over many years.

The award is named in memory of former Club member A.I. “Beau” Cottrell, Canterbury 1928-34, All Black 1929-32, CFC President 1956-78, CFC Patron 1982-88, CFC Life Member.

Unfortunately, Brent, who lives in Geraldine, could not make it to the AGM – he and his wife Judith were on holiday in Australia.

So, some of the Club’s Life Members got their heads together and decided to go down to Geraldine late January to have lunch with Brent and Judith and to present Brent with the A.I. Cottrell Medalion.

Gerald Wilson (the Club’s Patron), Jerry Rowberry (the Club’s President) and Life Members Stan Wilder and Alan Trent travelled down to Geraldine last Wednesday and had a very enjoyable lunch with Brent and Judith during which Jerry presented Brent with his Medallion. Brent was very grateful and appreciative of the award and the fact that 4 of the Club’s stalwarts travelled down for the day.

Brent joined the Club in 1956 and played in the 3rd Grade team and the Junior teams until 1966. He then became involved in the administration of the Club being Asst. Treasurer, Treasurer and in 1970 was Secretary and Treasurer. He was then a J R Evans Trustee for the next 26 years as well as being one of the Club’s Auditors for 16 years.  

Alan Trent

Update from Rugby Leadership Team 

Welcome to 2025! The club is now into the swing of pre-season training, under the leadership of Hammer Hammett. Hammer has been doing a great job to date with very well-run trainings, supported by our coaches and strength and conditioning trainers. Pre-season games are being locked in and details around these will be communicated. 

As we get closer to the season, we are recruiting players from across Canterbury and beyond. We still need to fill spaces in our Women’s, Colts and Senior grades, so if you are keen to give footy a go this season, please don’t hesitate to contact the club, or come along to one of our pre-season trainings at Christchurch Park – every Tuesday and Thursday at 6pm. 

Our Juniors still have some time before their season kicks off, but a big thank you to our Junior Committee and supporting members who are working away in the background to prepare for the upcoming season. We would like to welcome all new players, parents and extended whānau to our Junior ranks, it’ll be great to see you down at the club throughout the year. 

Our Netball division is a big part of our club also and the format looks to be the same this season as it was last year, with games spread across weeknights and weekends. We look forward to seeing our girls out on the courts in the next couple of months. If you’re keen to give netball a go this year, please contact us! 

We would like to thank Craig (Porky) Calder for all his hard work over the last 20 months as he steps down from the Chairman role. We wish him all the very best for his retirement and are sure he will still play a big part in the club on the Axeman’s table.

This time of the year is always tougher on the finances for our club, and we rely on our motel to keep things ticking over. It’s been fantastic to see the Argentinian group using our facilities over the past couple of weeks and we have enjoyed watching their trainings.  

The Rugby Leadership Team are underway with initiatives for the 2025 season, and we look forward to seeing you all out on the grounds in the months to come! 

GENERAL MANAGER POSITION

Full-Time Position

An exciting opportunity exists for a suitably qualified person to head the on-going management and development of the Christchurch Football Club and Christchurch Park Complex.

The Club:

The Christchurch Football Club, incorporating the Christchurch Park Accommodation and Functions complex, has an opportunity for a skilled management professional to join our team.

 The position:

The General Manager oversees the operation of the CFC rugby club and overall complex. 

The role, in collaboration with the Board, is tasked with achieving all strategic, operational, rugby,  and financial goals. 

Plus, administrative leadership, supporting the Board Directors, liaising with club staff and members, business development, including grant funding, managing finances, administration, and overseeing relationship and sponsorship management and reporting.

Key Attributes:

The role will be to oversee the management of our club and complex including:

• Ensuring smooth day-to-day running of the club/complex and all applicable compliance responsibilities.
• Exceptional stakeholder management including members, guests, and other organizations as required.
• Financial Management and administration.
• The ability to drive new business development, sponsorships and funding
• Marketing and promotional work to secure and grow business partnerships.
• Overseeing all staff and managing all staff-related matters.
• Oversee the development of rugby
• A prominent level of focus on providing great customer-members experience.
• Asset Management

Qualifications/Skills:

Qualifications and Skills that would be beneficial.

• Tertiary qualifications in Sports Management, Business Management, Marketing or a related field
• A knowledge of the game of rugby
• Proven senior Business and Financial Management experience/skills

How to apply:

Applicants should include a covering letter attached to a full CV detailing relevant experience and qualifications.

An attractive salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on skills and experience.

Please email a cover letter attached to your resume to:

 CFC Chairman

craig.calder@christchurchpark.co.nz

Applications close 5.00pm 4th March 2025.

Article added: Friday 14 February 2025