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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

21 June 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs Linwood

Lost 14-45

Player of the Match: Angus Liddle
 

The much-anticipated game of the season for the Premiers finally arrived — the annual Crying Towel match. Not reflecting too much on last year’s result, the team were determined to put in a much better performance.

While Linwood dominated the scoreboard in the first half, the CFC team were up to the challenge. Regrettably, they were unable to finish the opportunities they created, whereas Linwood made theirs count.

The second half was more evenly contested, and the points scored reflected the performance put in, finishing 14–19 for the half.

While the towel remains at Christchurch Park for another season, the performance was a big improvement on last year’s and perhaps one of the better games played this season. Yes, there are still areas to work on — particularly defence and finishing — but we’ll take the small wins.

Last game of the round this weekend is against Marist-Albion, currently top of the ladder, at Edgar MacIntosh. They’ll be desperate for a bonus point win with University hot on their heels. What an upset that could be!

Player of the Day: Angus Liddle – great to see your dad over from Australia watching!
 

Written by Tony Hussey.
 

Premier Development’s Match Report

21 June 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs Linwood

Lost 20 - 27

Player of the Match: Ben Middleton
 

Saturday saw Linwood make the journey to Christchurch Park for another chapter in our clubs' storied history, with the Premier Reserves sides playing out the curtain-raiser to the Crying Towel match. Both teams came into the match confident and boasting strong sides. This would be a proper battle.

The match started off in an all-too-familiar way for the Crocs, conceding an early try to Linwood. The visitors took the lead, 7–0, but the lads weren't going to take this one lying down.

A penalty kicked by Carter Trillo rewarded some solid pressure from CFC, and not long after, the white line was crossed — some well-worked play from the Crocs leading to a good try for George McLean near the sticks. With the conversion added by Carter, and penalties exchanged from both sides not long after, the scoreline read 13–10 to the home side at the break.

The second half saw a storming start for CFC, with some well-executed offloads leading to a quality try for Cole Mountford. Another conversion, and the Crocs were looking good — a 20–10 lead in their favour.

This wasn't to last though, as uncharacteristic errors took their toll, and Linwood took full advantage. Two tries to the visitors saw them retake the lead 24–20, and a tactically taken penalty pushed it to a 7-point margin. Despite all their efforts, the Crocs were unable to mount a comeback, and the match finished with a 27–20 win for the visitors from Linfield Park.

A bitter loss to take for the lads, though again, some tough but valuable lessons to take on board. We come back stronger and smarter.

An away trip to Marist Albion this week — looking forward to once again seeing the fantastic travelling support the lads have enjoyed this season. Thanks to all of you!

Up the Crocs!

Written by Andy Scally.

 

Choppers Match Report

21 June 2025 at Christchurch Park

CFC vs Shirley

Lost 29-36

Player of the Match: Luke Brown
 

We went toe-to-toe with our down-the-road rivals on Saturday, the Shirley Wankers, and it was destined to be a tight grip for either team to pull this one off!

We won the toss-off and chose to receive — and what a masterclass of a call that was, as we smashed one out and got the first gritty try of the game. They were on alert, and then, with emphatic enthusiasm, ran in about three tries which left us stroking at air! Fortunately, their kicker was stray-er than a three-legged Viking, and as the half closed with us nailing a great converted try, we hadn’t been rubbed off yet!

We started the second stanch exactly how we finished the first — more well-earned points. Things were looking up, and with a few much-needed reinforcements, we were building to a mighty climax.We scored, then they scored — it was on. It was anyone’s game. Then they put in a cheeky little grubber, and with our mercurial fill-in fullback occupied elsewhere, our rear was left exposed. They sneakily snuck what turned out to be the kill shot.

We weren’t finished though, and we performed possibly our greatest team try of the year to finish the game on a high. As they say — last try wins, right? Well, not really... sadly.Still, it was a great game from both teams! A massive shout-out to the Crocs who snapped up a few minutes of game time with us — it was massively appreciated, fully helped, and showed the lads a good bit of ticker. Thanks, boys!

Up up the Choppers!

Written by Richard Spivey (Spitty).

 

Colts Premier Match Report

21 June 2025 at St Leonards Square #1

CFC vs Sumner

Lost 14-59

Players of the Match: Freddie Cartwright. 
 

We kicked off under challenging conditions in Sumner, with cold rain and strong winds setting the tone for a tough day at the park. Both sides opened cautiously, testing each other early with some smart tactical kicking and solid defense. Neither team managed to gain a clear advantage in the opening exchanges, as the game remained tightly contested.

Unfortunately, momentum began to shift after we suffered two significant setbacks. Our first five-eighth, Kamaioha, was forced off the field after a heavy tackle left him nursing a sore shoulder. In the same period, Sabastian took a head knock that also ruled him out. These early injuries disrupted our structure and required an immediate reshuffle in the backline.

Struggling to find rhythm after the changes, we weren’t able to build consistent momentum, and Sumner capitalised on some early opportunities to take the lead. Despite the scoreboard pressure, the team showed resilience, and a brilliant run off the back of a scrum saw Sam cross the line for a well-deserved try in his return to rugby, an inspiring moment in the first half.

As the game wore on, Sumner continued to apply pressure, finishing the half strongly and extending their lead heading into the break.

The second half began much like the first, with more injuries forcing further adjustments, particularly in the backs, which saw our forwards stepping in to help cover numbers. Despite the mounting challenges, the team showed real grit and determination. As they do every week, the players fought hard right to the final whistle. Their efforts were rewarded when Freddie Cartwright powered over for a try late in the second half, an excellent individual effort in his first match as captain.

Sumner ultimately ran out deserved winners with a final score of 59–14. While the result didn’t go our way, there were moments of real heart and promise from the squad.

Player of the Day: Freddie Cartwright.  Freddie led from the front in his debut as captain, putting in a strong all-around performance. He ran hard, tackled well, and set a great example for the team with his leadership and determination.

Written by Tim Brocket.

Shu’s Corner

Another busy Saturday saw great rugby played by all the Christchurch Football Club teams. We appreciate what you all do—keep up the awesome work!

It was a pleasure to attend the Axemen’s function where the Axemen hosted the Linwood Matadors, and as always, it’s awesome to see so many familiar faces at these types of events. We had our very own Pete Bowden speak about his current role with Toyota Verblitz, the professional game in Japan, and the challenges of living there. Great to have you back in the club, Pete!

Behind the scenes, we hosted Marlborough College and Nelson College (Friday through Monday), and it’s fantastic to be building a connection and relationship with these teams. A warm welcome to Draydon Martin, who has joined the club from Canada—please introduce yourself and help make him feel part of this awesome club.

This weekend, we welcome the Noosa U15 team. This group has been a great supporter of the club over several years now, and we thank them, along with Don Warner (their tour leader), for being part of our club once again. Be kind to Don when you see him—his beloved Chiefs lost to a mighty Crusaders team on Saturday! Thanks to Hunter, Tim, and Budgie for organising and working with this group over the weekend. The team and supporters will be officially welcomed to the club on Saturday night. If you see them around the club, say hello and make them feel welcome. If you’re not doing anything on Sunday afternoon, come down and catch the Noosa team in action—kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

To Max Bremner and the Oxford Group team—thank you so much for all your support and for being the Game Day sponsor last Saturday when we hosted Linwood. It was great to see Max in the club, attending both the Axemen function and the game.

Our sponsors are vitally important to the club, so we ask that you support them wherever you can!

This week sees many teams playing away, but the lure of the McCully Cup after speeches should ensure a good crowd is back in the clubrooms to watch the race on No. 1, followed by DJ Chick adding to a great night of fun.

If you can, please head out to Darfield on Saturday where our Colts Reserve team will be playing in a mini tournament from 1:00 pm onwards. This is a team full of talented players and a pleasure to watch. Our thanks to Andy and Wayne for all you do for this team.

Lastly, as we head into the international window (from the 5th of July), we’ll be making sure that the Club, Bar & Restaurant have everything you need to enjoy the action right here—come down and watch the All Blacks take on France in a three-test series, followed by the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia!

Written by Shu.
 

Junior Club Update

There’s been a real buzz around the club this week with the arrival of our brand-new training tops! These were handed out during the week, and it’s been fantastic to see all the kids proudly wearing them at training and around the grounds. The energy and pride they bring to the team are infectious—it’s great to see them feeling part of something bigger every time they pull on that gear.

This weekend marks our final round of games before the school holidays. Let’s make it a big one! Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that we’re planning to host some Friday night games once the holidays are over—always a fun, exciting experience for the kids and a great way to bring families together under the lights. Keep an eye out for more information about those in the coming weeks!

Another big date to mark on your calendars is Club Day on 19th July. This is always a highlight of the season, a chance to come together as a club, celebrate our players, and enjoy a full day of community, rugby, and fun. We’ll have more details to share soon but expect plenty of action on and off the field!

In other exciting news from the junior club, Hunter Johnston has been recognised by Canterbury Volunteering at their annual Volunteer Recognition Awards for his outstanding contributions to grassroots rugby. Hunter’s dedication, time, and passion have made a huge impact on our club and the wider rugby community, and it's fantastic to see his efforts celebrated in such a meaningful way. Well done, Hunter, we’re proud to have you as part of the team!

Thanks to all the coaches, parents, and volunteers who continue to make our junior club such a special place. Enjoy the weekend’s games, and we’ll see you back after the break for more rugby and fun.

Congratulations, Angie Sisifa!

We’re proud to share that our very own CFC U18 Coach, Angie Sisifa, has been named the Apprentice Coach for the Canterbury Women’s FPC team for 2025! This is an incredible achievement for Angie and a testament to her dedication, skill, and leadership. It’s also a moment of pride for her family, friends, and all of us here at Christchurch Football Club.

Well done, Angie—we can’t wait to see you thrive at the next level!

McCully Cup & Back to School Bash – This Saturday!

This Saturday night, the clubrooms will be buzzing as we bring you one of the most anticipated social events of the season — the McCully Cup Race followed by a Back to School Bash, kicking off from 5:00 PM until late!

Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and a bit of healthy competition as teams line up for the legendary McCully Cup race. Whether you’re racing or cheering from the sidelines, it’s always a highlight on the club calendar.

Then head into the clubrooms for the Back to School Bash — dust off your old uniform, channel your inner student, and get ready for a throwback night of great tunes, drink specials, and plenty of dancing!

Let’s pack the club and celebrate the second half of the season in style. All teams, members, whānau and supporters welcome — see you there!
 

Walking Rugby Comes to CFC!

Christchurch Football Club is excited to launch Walking Rugby, a fun, non-contact, and inclusive version of our beloved game designed for all ages and fitness levels. Whether you’re recovering from injury, new to rugby, or just keen to enjoy a more social style of play, Walking Rugby is for you!

This 7-a-side, slower-paced game uses two-handed touches instead of tackles, and players walk (no running or pushing!) - focusing on teamwork, passing, fitness, and plenty of laughs.

Confirmed Dates:

Sunday 6 July, 1:00 PM – before our Golden Oldies home match vs Burnside

Sunday 10 August, 1:00 PM – before the Golden Oldies home match vs HSOB

We’re also looking to gauge interest in starting a Twilight Walking Rugby Competition with women’s, mixed, and men’s teams playing on the same night—a great way to get active and social midweek! Our goal: to make CFC the home of Walking Rugby in Christchurch.

Keep an eye on our social media pages for more info and how to get involved. Bring a mate, lace up your boots (or comfy sneakers), and come give it a go!

Article added: Friday 27 June 2025