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Welcome to the latest update from Christchurch Football Club, keeping you connected with everything happening in and around the club.

Premier Men’s Match Report

17 May 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs HSOB

Lost 7-52

Player of the Match: Kalle Valimaki

Another glorious autumnal day for footie — and Club Day made it all the more special with players of all ages and old stalwarts mixing around the ground soaking up the sunshine and hospitality.

Top of the table Old Boys were a staunch test for the team. Our set pieces were strong and from that opportunities were created. This is a testimony to the hard work put in by all throughout the week

After a solid first 40 minutes, the scoreline read 12–0 to Old Boys, a score that did not reflect the effort the team had put in but demonstrated the resolute defensive work by Old Boys.

The second half showed the potential of this team, however the key moments were owned by HSOB and this reflected in the end result.
 

Premier Development’s Match Report

17 May 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs Ōtautahi

Win 62-15

Player of the Match: Connor Mahan

Another stunning Saturday afternoon brought with it a rescheduled Club Day, and thanks to Ōtautahi, what was originally an away match was relocated to Christchurch Park #1 — meaning the Crocs could be part of the festivities. A good crowd gathered for what promised to be an enthralling contest.

Straight out of the gate, it was back and forth — both sides had chances, breakaways, and periods of building pressure. However the Crocs were able to build some sustained pressure, and Asha Alavaa crashed over the line for the opening try, with Carter Trillo adding the extras. 7–0 to the Crocs.

Ōtautahi built some pressure of their own and, following a penalty, opted to take the conservative route and go for the posts. 7–3. The rest of the first half belonged to the Crocs. Two more tries — one to Shaydon Milne-Sparks (his first in almost 10 years, according to the man himself) and another to Lolesio Iafeta — both converted by Carter, with a penalty goal thrown in for good measure. The Crocs went into the huddle at halftime comfortably ahead, 24–3.

The second half started with more of the same. An early try to Emosi McGoon was followed up by tries from Naz Pauli Laki and Dave Tamou, all converted by Carter, and the Crocs were up 45–3 after just 60 minutes. With plenty of good runs, solid support play, and a couple of handy (if somewhat lucky) offloads, the Crocs really started to hit their stride. A second try to Lolesio, quickly followed by Connor Mahan touching down, took the score to 57–3 after 68 minutes.

Signs of fatigue began to show, however, and a couple of defensive lapses were pounced upon by the visitors — ŌT putting some respect into their scoreline with two quick tries of their own, 57 - 15.

It looked as though that would be the final score, until Connor Mahan timed an intercept run perfectly to pinch the ball right on Ōtautahi’s line, crossing for what might be one of the easiest tries of his career — right on full-time.

That was all she wrote for this entertaining match, the Crocs taking all five competition points in a statement win. Final score: 62–15.

It was a strong performance across the park, with every player looking eager to take the ball into contact and defend well. Special mention to Carter Trillo — a quality goal-kicking display, missing just one of his ten attempts at goal.

There are a few lessons to be taken from this match, but overall it was a great performance that will give the lads some confidence heading into what will be a tough trip to Lincoln this week.

Big thanks to the coaches and support staff for their continued work week in and week out — and to the supporters who came down to cheer the boys on for what proved to be a brilliant Club Day.

Up the Crocs!

Written by Andy Scally.

Choppers Match Report

17 May 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs Linwood

Win 33-12

Player of the Match: James Dyer

Saturday. Club Day.We went to work on our traditional home turf, No. 2, against a Linwood side allegedly bolstered by half a dozen Div 2 boys — and keen for a scrap. So, play we did.

We received the first pill and took it straight to them. They were tough in defence but missing their usual bite. We were flying through our moves to the point where we actually got a bit lost — disjointed and slightly discombobulated. It turned into a bit of a mess, and time was needed to hunker down and regroup.

With the sun beating down and our water boy 12 steps behind the whistle, it was our turn to tackle. And credit where it's due — our defence has been outstanding this season, especially for a new team still finding its rhythm. Even as Linwood camped in our half, we held the line. Eventually, the wall broke and they scored the first points. But it was more like the sad part of a movie — because right after, we did a full 180 and totally owned the last 20 minutes of the half.

Move after move landed. One standout was a textbook 5m rolling maul, ending in a glorious forwards' try that had the sideline buzzing. At the half, we were up 26–5. Lovely stuff.

Second half.The heat hung around with its annoying warmth, and soon the focus shifted to the team's chilly bin and its glorious, ice-packed contents (just in case of injury, of course). Our defence just kept levelling up — it felt like we were in default mode. They couldn’t crack our egg no matter what they threw at us.

After 20–30 minutes of the second half, the scoreboard hadn’t moved — a win for our defence, but our attack had fizzled out like a flat Coke, and we couldn’t quite work out why.

Then things got wild. A chaotic string of events unfolded, and just as we were on the go-forward, an unfortunate pass got picked off for an intercept try. Bugger. But no panic — it was way too late for a comeback. Defence wins games, and ours was on point all day.

In the final seconds, we were finally rewarded for our efforts with a converted try to seal it. Boom!

Well done, boys.

Up the red & black!

Up, up the Choppers!

Written by Richard Spivey (Spitty).

Kārearea U18 Girls Match Report

The Kārearea U18 girls rugby team delivered a great performance over the weekend in their match against the Linwood Bulls, securing a well-earned 29–10 victory.

The Kārearea girls started off slow and after 20 mins into the first half, played with impressive structure and discipline. Their ability to adapt to the game plan was evident in both attack and defence. Set pieces were executed with precision by the forwards and the backline showed excellent timing and communication, creating space and opportunities throughout the match, finishing off strong.

Their determination was matched by a strong sense of unity, with players backing each other up and lifting the team’s energy.

The girls communicated well, supported one another, and celebrated their small wins, which added up to a great overall performance.

Written by Vicki Logopati-Campbell.

Pouākai U18 Girls Match Report

Round One vs. HSOB Miller | Win 49–0

Pouākai got their season off to a flying start with a dominant 49–0 win over High School Old Boys Miller at Bob Deans.

The team started strong, controlling possession and field position early and using the full width of the field to stretch the defence. New back row combinations quickly found rhythm, providing powerful momentum up front. With this platform, the backs showed growing confidence—organising themselves well, experimenting with chip kicks, and identifying options to keep the play alive.

HSOB utilised their runners and were strong over the ball but struggled to make headway against the Pouakai defence with some big hits in contact helping win the collision.

First-half tries went to Emma, Alice, Issy, Mika, and Micahlei. Unfortunately, both Emma and Alice left the field due to injury before the break. However, our depth and impact players made their mark, with Charley, Nia, and Hadassah crossing the line in the second half. Mika slotted two conversions to cap off the scoring.

Forward positioning and communication between backs and forwards were clear highlights. While it was a big step up from last week, there’s plenty to build on—but with the talent across the squad, both starting and bench, it’s shaping up to be an exciting U18 season.

Player of the Day: Metua CranwellBack of the Day: LexieForward of the Day: Dassah

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui

Written by Allison Dorman.

Club Day Feedback

What a day! Club Day 2025 delivered everything we hoped for — and more.

Having all our teams playing at home created a fantastic atmosphere, and it was truly special to see so many supporters, friends, and families come together at the CFC grounds. From the first whistle to the last, the park was buzzing with energy, pride, and a whole lot of Red & Black.

The clubrooms were packed and pumping all day long. Whether you were catching up with old mates, cheering on the next generation, or soaking up the sun and sideline banter, it was a celebration of what makes CFC such a strong and special club.

A massive thank you to everyone who helped make the day run smoothly — from the coaches and managers to the volunteers, staff, and supporters. Your effort made the magic happen.

As we move deeper into the season, let’s carry that same camaraderie, spirit, and club pride forward. The support, the unity, and the passion on display last Saturday are exactly what makes this club tick.

Here’s to more moments like these!
 

CFC 2025 Hoodies – Order Yours Now!

We’re excited to announce that CFC 2025 hoodies are now available to order! Whether you're a member, supporter, or proud family member, these hoodies are the perfect way to show your club spirit and keep warm this winter.

Each hoodie is $70 and you can place your order in two easy ways:

• Fill out the online order form here.

• Order directly with the bar staff next time you’re at the club.

Make sure you don’t miss out – get your order in and wear your colours with pride!
 

Mental Health Talk

The Mental Health Talk is happening on Tuesday 27 May at 7:45pm, straight after training.

We’ll be joined by Matt Vaughan, a dynamic speaker with a unique blend of elite sports experience and corporate leadership coaching. He’s passionate about breaking down mental health stigma and giving people practical tools to support themselves and those around them — on the field, in the gym, at work, and in life.

The talk will run for around an hour and cover:

• What mental health really is

• Why it matters in sport and everyday life

• Common struggles athletes face

• Key influences on mental wellbeing

• How mental health affects individual performance and team culture

• What we can do as a club to support one another

• Real strategies to manage and maintain mental wellness

We’ll end with an open discussion — a safe, supportive space to ask questions or just listen. Food will be provided and the bar will be open, so stick around afterwards and connect with your teammates.

About Matt Vaughan

Matt is the corporate health coach CEOs call on when they want to lift leadership, reduce burnout, and build a better culture. Originally from Christchurch, Matt was awarded a sports scholarship to St Andrew’s College, later moving to the UK to play professional rugby and pursue corporate roles.

He's worked across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, founding several rugby academies and a corporate wellness company, MV Corporate Health and Heal Me Well, where his clients included Adidas, NAB, and Lendlease. Now based in Christchurch, Matt is Key Account & Business Development Manager at Stellar Recruitment, where he combines his sports background and business expertise to inspire healthier workplaces and communities.

Mike Cron had a coaching session with the CFC forwards this week. 

In Memory of John Elley

We were saddened to hear of the passing of long-time CFC member John Elley, affectionately known as “Honest John.”

John’s association with the club began in the late 1980s when he joined the 2nd Grade Packers team as Assistant Manager, later serving as our official Touch Judge throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. With a background in refereeing, John was a perfect fit for the role and loved being part of the team environment.

His passion for the club and the people in it was always clear. A visit to him in later years, when we gifted him some CFC apparel and a sponsored vest, left him genuinely touched and grateful.

John was a true CFC man – loyal, compassionate, and full of integrity. His contribution to the club was immense, and he will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace, John.

Written by Kit Chambers.

Article added: Friday 23 May 2025