Newsletter - 11 July 2025

Welcome!

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
5 July 2025 at St Leonard’s Square
CFC vs Sumner
Lost 45-49
Player of the Match: Riley Williams

Last Saturday saw a much-improved and consistent performance from the Premier team—aside from the final 10 minutes.

Christchurch started strong and took the lead in the early stages of the match. While Sumner hit back, Christchurch were able to dominate most of the game. The lineout was sharp and the
scrum solid. In fact, the scrum was so dominant that in the second half, Sumner declared they had no front rowers left, and the remainder of the match was played with uncontested scrums.

Christchurch steadily accumulated points throughout the match, building a commanding 45–21 lead with just 12 minutes to go. You’d think that would be enough to secure the win—but Sumner had other plans and came back with everything they had, including the kitchen sink. They managed to steal the win at full time, scoring four tries in the final 12 minutes.

Some big lessons for the boys as they head into the final match of the season against Shirley. If they play like they did for most of the game against Sumner—and keep Shirley out of the contest—it will be a great way to finish the season.

Congratulations to Rewa Simons on his debut and Riley Williams who was player of the match.

Written by Tony Hussey.

This Saturday marks the fi nal game of the season for our Premier Men—let’s get behind the lads and show them the full force of CFC support from the sidelines. After the match, stick around in the clubrooms as we come together to watch the All Blacks take on France—it's shaping up to be a great night at the club!

 

 

Premier Development’s Match Report
5 July 2025 at Christchurch Park
CFC vs New Brighton
Lost 20-22
Player of the Match: George McLean

Saturday rolled around once again, and it was a cold but fine day at Christchurch Park as the Crocs hosted New Brighton. CFC had a lot to prove after last week, and New Brighton had their own score to settle after our upset win over them in last year's semi-final. This match promised to be a good one.

With both sides struggling for numbers, the match kicked off with New Brighton scoring quickly—a solid try for the visitors seeing the scoreline read 5–0 early on. The Crocs pulled themselves up by their bootstraps, however, and some quality forward work off a lineout saw Captain James Lilley dart off the side of the maul to score near the sticks. Cyril Tamou added the extras, putting the boys in red and black ahead 7–5.

A penalty not long after was converted by Cyril, and a 10–5 lead was the boys' reward heading towards the halftime break. Just before the whistle, however, New Brighton managed to pull another one back—scoring a try which, unconverted once again, levelled the score at 10–all at the break.

Soon after the restart, our Colts ring-in Freddie Cartwright crashed over under the sticks—another quality try for the Crocs. The conversion was coolly slotted by Cyril, and the score moved to 17–10 for the home side. Another penalty goal to our mercurial goal kicker saw us leading 20–10 and in a strong position with around 20 minutes to go.

New Brighton struck back, another unconverted try narrowing the gap to five. Soon after, a well-chased kick from the visitors saw the ball fall into their winger’s hands, and he darted away to score under the posts. This claimed the lead for his side, 22–20, with around three minutes to go.

Some strong work from the Crocs put them in a solid position, and a penalty on the 22 near the touchline—with time all but up—meant the Crocs had the chance to win it. The ball sailed through the air well but, heartbreakingly, struck the upright. It wasn’t over yet, though, as the ball landed back in the hands of CFC—another chance to seal it from right in front.

Strong forward carries came up against staunch New Brighton defence, and after several tense phases, the ball was spread wide. The defence held firm, and Brighton were able to muscle the ball over the touchline—clutching the win in the tensest of finishes.

While it was unfortunate not to come away with the win, the boys can be proud of their efforts—taking the match to the wire with only 17 players kitted up on the day. A massive thanks to those who were called in to help out the squad with our limited numbers—Colts, returning club stalwarts, and friends of fellow players alike. We really appreciate your support this week.

The final round of the regular season sees us travel to Bob Deans Field at North Hagley next week to take on High School Old Boys. We hope to see you down there!

Up the Crocs!

Written by Andy Scally.

Shu’s Corner

What a great weekend of rugby at Christchurch Park with seven teams playing here! Thanks to all who participated and helped out to ensure everyone had fun. My thanks go to Budgie, who put everything together on the day—especially with the Colts Tournament—and ensured everything ran smoothly behind the scenes, even with all the mud. A special note of thanks to the CRFU for giving us the opportunity to host the Colts Tournament.

On Sunday, the club hosted “Walking Rugby” as well as a Golden Oldies game. John Lane (Lane O), who organised both games, advised that 16 players took part in the game of Walking Rugby, and by all accounts, everyone had a very good time! Lane O advises that the next game of Walking Rugby will be held prior to the next Golden Oldies home game on the 10th of August, with kickoff at 1:00pm. So, get your boots out, put them on, and give it a go!

As a club, we are looking to host Walking Rugby during the spring/summer season (twilight on a Wednesday or Friday—yet to be confirmed) from late September onwards, and we want to be
the first club to offer this opportunity. The game consists of 5–7 players per team, with rolling subs and 10-minute halves, so get some teams together and let’s give this game a go!

This weekend sees our Premiers vs Shirley (2:45pm), Colts A vs Shirley (1:00pm), and Choppers vs Old Boys (2:45pm) all at home, so please come down and support the teams in action.

Our Premier Development team plays HSOB at 1:00pm at Bob Deans No. 1, and our Colts Reserves play UC Taipans at 1:00pm at Ilam Fields 2.

Lastly, the All Blacks play France in the second test in Wellington with kickoff at 7:05pm—so stay on at the club, enjoy the food and drink on offer, and have fun with your friends and family!

Housekeeping

As mentioned last week, subscriptions are now due, and team management have been advised on what is outstanding for each team.

If paying directly to the club via online banking, please use the following information:
Payee: Christchurch Football Club Inc Account Number: 06-0996-0541746-00

Using the correct account details will ensure payments are processed properly, as now required by all banks.

Remember to reference the player's name and team name.

You can also pay via the Xplorer App and generate a Stripe payment.

Written by Shu.

Coaches Corner

The first thing I often ask coaches is, “Would you want to be coached by yourself?”

It can be quite an interesting opening question. Over time, you evolve as a coach, and the environment you create as a coach becomes a place of learning.

How positive is that learning environment?
Are you happy with players making mistakes at training as they try things? Is the learning fun? Does it challenge the players you have in front of you?

When you are setting up training each week, you could ask yourself these questions.

Written by Budgie.

From Canterbury Rugby Union on behalf of the CCC Recreation, Sports & Events team:

In order to help us understand how people are getting to and from community sport for training and games, we would really appreciate completing the below Sports Transport Survey. This will help to highlight the barriers that are preventing people considering active and public transport and identify any opportunities that may exist to support change.

The survey is focused on the following four sports parks:

● Canterbury Agricultural Park (Rugby League)
● Hagley Park- North and South (Rugby, Football and Netball)
● Ngā Puna Wai (Rugby League, Rugby, Football and Netball)
● Tulett Park (Football)

All responses go in the draw to win one of two family passes to He Puna Taimoana Hot Pools by the Sea in New Brighton. The survey is open until the end of July.

https://christchurchcc.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Qs7tVoxIPaiSXQ”

You're Invited – 2025 Annual Prize Giving

We invite all members of Christchurch Football Club including the Netball Club – players, coaches, managers, Axemen, board members, life members, and partners – to join us for our Annual Prize Giving on Saturday, 16 August.

This is our opportunity to celebrate the season, share some laughs, and farewell 2025 together.

The ticket includes:
● A meal
● Some drinks
● DJ and dancing
● A great night with our club community

To register your interest, please fill out the form HERE to let us know.

Ticket price to be confirmed soon. We look forward to seeing you there.

Support the U13 Queenstown Tournament Team

Best of luck to our CFC U13 Queenstown Tournament Team who take on Belfast this Saturday at 11am at Christchurch Park. It’s always great to see our young players in action, so come down, cheer them on from the sidelines, and show your support for the future of the club!