Welcome!

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

Shu’s Corner

As we come to the end of another season it’s awesome to see the Junior Friday Night Footy going strong. Each night is being well supported by everyone, and it was mentioned that a great “community feel” was evident. When you personally receive feedback from a young player about how awesome it was to play under lights, it means we are getting things right as a club!!

With the upgrade of the lights on the Number One field to LED, and an upgrade of the lights on Number Two (repurposing the lights from Number One) in late November, we will be able to promote night footy even more in 2026 and be creative & bold about when we play our games. Both Budgie & I are excited to work with the Junior Committee on planning the Junior Rugby season for 2026 with this in mind, so watch this space!!

Regarding feedback, it was awesome to receive the following:

From Neil Ockwell – “Have followed the club closely and enjoyed watching the players’ efforts each Saturday at Chch Park. My donation is in acknowledgement of the pleasure I have received from being a ‘distant supporter’ of the Christchurch Football Club.”

Thanks to Kashi, Lee, Syunya and Arata-san for their help in moving the bar leaners/chairs in the clubrooms to allow the setup to progress smoothly for Prize-Giving – Domo Arigato Gozaimasu.

Upcoming games:

• Junior Friday Night Footy on the 22nd and 29th of August

• Canterbury U19 v North Canterbury Stags on the 23rd of August at 1:00 pm

• Canterbury B v Tasman B on the 27th of September (Kick-off to be confirmed)

• Junior Crusaders v Junior Hurricanes on the 3rd of October at 1:00 pm

• One NZ Warriors U15 & U17 Trials on the 13th (9:00 am–3:00 pm) and 14th of September (1:00–3:00 pm)

• Canterbury Fijian 7s Tournament on the 11th of October (9:00 am–5:00 pm)

Club Prize-Giving was held on the 16th of August, and our sincerest congratulations go out to all the award winners. It was fantastic to have an awesome turnout from throughout the club, which demonstrates the club is in good heart & that we want to support everybody who wears the Red and Black of the Christchurch Football Club. Our thanks go to Teresa & her team from Eat Food Truck, to Jimmy, Morne & Zoe for their work behind the bar on the evening, to Chris, Bob & Mark for their work, and to Allana & Katrina for their work before and after the event. Finally, to Jenay, Georgia and the Netball members for setting up the tables – everything looked awesome!!

Lastly, we want to wish the U18 Kotiro teams, Pouakai and Karearea, all the very best for their respective finals on Saturday morning at Malvern Park.

Written by Shu.

Coaches Comment

There are many types of coach.There’s the parent who is just helping out the team that their child is in.There’s the dedicated coach who simply wants to coach.There’s the parent who realises their child won’t have a team if they don’t step forward.

Across our club, we have all these varieties — even at Premier level.

The three gentlemen who were there at the finish weren’t supposed to be the men running the ship. They stepped up after the first two original appointments left. I guess that old saying, “It’s not how you start the race but how you finish,” rings true!

Thanks to Sam, Will, and James for seeing the race through to the end with our Premiers.

To all the other coaches out there — Matt, Kyle, Grayson, Tim, Chris, Wayne, and all the others still working until the 30th — thank you.

It can be a lonely job, but it doesn’t have to be. I’m here to help with whatever you need in your coaching. I can support you in the role.

Written by Budgie.
 

Coaching Opportunities for 2026

As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we’re inviting expressions of interest from those keen to be part of our coaching team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future of CFC rugby and support our players as they continue to grow and succeed.

We are seeking coaches for our Premier Men, Premier Women, Premier Development, and Colts teams. If you’re passionate about rugby and eager to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Please send your rugby CV or details of your experience to rugby@christchurchpark.co.nz
 

Annual Prize Giving – A Night to Celebrate

This past Saturday, the Christchurch Football Club community came together for our Annual Prize Giving — an evening filled with recognition, connection, and celebration. While the 2025 season brought its share of challenges and change, one thing remained constant: our ability to stand together as a club.

From the early evening awards for our rugby and netball teams, to the main rugby presentations later in the night, every moment carried a sense of appreciation for the effort, commitment, and passion that makes our club what it is. Congratulations to all those who received acknowledgement for their contributions — whether on the field, on the sidelines, or behind the scenes, your hard work does not go unnoticed.

Sharing dinner, cheering one another on, and finishing the night on the dance floor with our DJ reminded us once again of the special community spirit that binds us together. Prize Giving was more than just an awards night; it was a celebration of the friendships, dedication, and legacy of the CFC family.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring short profiles on each of the award recipients in our newsletter. We encourage you to keep reading to get to know the people behind the club a little better — the individuals whose commitment and passion keep CFC strong.

Here’s to everyone who continues to make CFC a club to be proud of.
 

Junior Rugby Update

We were lucky with the weather this week, and it was fantastic to see some of our junior players taking to the field under the lights on Friday night. There was a great atmosphere, with players and families enjoying the evening at the club.

Saturday also turned on the sunshine, and it’s been awesome seeing photos of our teams out there loving their rugby. A special mention to our Year 6 Sharks, who had a spirited game against our long-time rivals, Linwood. The match was played in great spirit by both teams, and it was wonderful to see the connections formed afterward.

We’re heading into the second-to-last weekend of rugby for 2025 – let’s make the most of it!

Don’t forget to save the date for Junior Prize Giving – more details to come!
 

A Tribute to the Axemens Club – Our Steadfast Supporters

Established in 1990, the Axemens Club serves as a dedicated and independent group within Christchurch Football Club. Born from a desire to maintain connection and camaraderie beyond playing days, the Axemens have become pillars of support—ensuring that many of those who once donned the red and black remain part of our club culture.

What the Axemens Club provides:

• A welcoming team environment for ex-players and long-time supporters—even when their next visit may only come when a child or grandchild takes the field.

• A friendly bridge for new members to connect, feel welcome, and quickly become part of the club’s community.

• Strong backing for rugby at every level—from junior footy through to the Premier Men’s side—whether that’s through coaching, management roles, administration, or simply cheering on the sidelines.

• Regular social enrichment through rugby-oriented luncheons featuring guest speakers and opportunities to support local or provincial games.

• Continued investment in the club, including vital infrastructure and club living heritage projects like video equipment, electronic scoreboards, digitisation of historical records, after-game refreshments, and even installing a defibrillator—all in consultation with CFC leadership.

On behalf of everyone at Christchurch Football Club, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Axemens. Your unwavering support—including behind-the-scenes contributions, project sponsorship, and ongoing engagement—strengthens our club at every level and honors our collective legacy.
 

 

Article added: Wednesday 20 August 2025