Christchurch Football Club eNewsletter

Another full week last week here at the club with the NZ Police Asset Recovery Team here for three days and Don Menzies’ Remembrance Service on Friday afternoon. I want to thank Stuart and his team from NZ Police for trusting us in holding their conference here as well as having some of the team stay in the Motel. To Marion, Brent, Glen, and the Menzies’ Family thank you for trusting us in honouring Don here at the club. It was fantastic to hear so many great stories about Don and what an amazing husband, father, grandfather & great grandfather he was. Don will be missed by all members of the Christchurch Football Club

It was great to spend Friday afternoon with Ollie behind the bar, being taught what to do and chatting to him about what he is doing at University and what his future plans are – we are grateful to have you Ollie (along with Zoe another familiar face) and appreciate what you do for us and our members & guests

This week we recognise the passing of two further club members, Barrie Guy and Calvin Cochrane, so on behalf of the club we acknowledge their time with the club and our thoughts & prayers are with the families of Barrie and Calvin

This Saturday the 21st of March will see the Christchurch Football Club go up against Linwood & Marist-Albion (Game of Three Halves) in recognizing Mike O’Donovan, who was an awesome man, and his love of all three clubs – games to be held at the Tane Norton Park (Linfield Park) – timings of the day will be advertised during the week

This Sunday the 22nd of March from 10am to 12pm is our Junior Section “Have a Go Day” so I encourage everyone to support this event and get young people into the game we all love

With regards to registrations for all players, coaches, managers, and other members of the club please register as soon as you are able and where appropriate pay your nominated subscription at the same time. We are still working our way through the RX and Xero integration process with NZR and like anything new there are challenges & issues that will have to be resolved manually unfortunately. We are endeavouring to keep up to update with reconciling payments made and where invoices are required to be sent however we simply ask for your patience and understanding

Personal shout out: On the 29th of March is the Garden City Rotary Club McDonald’s Duathlon at Hagley Park and as a member of Garden City Rotary Club if you are interested in helping us out on the morning of the event or your children that want to participate either let me know directly about helping out or register your upcoming athlete via gardencityrotary.org.nz/mcdonalds-youth-duathlon

Trust everyone is enjoying the wonderful autumn weather and fingers crossed it lasts until Easter 😊

Regards

Shu

Last weekend every thing I did was around rugby.

Went to Cheviot to watch a highly physical Glenmark Cheviot side take the direct approach against our young senior team.

It was a game where I believe experience and local knowledge played a massive part in the win.

From there the road to Apollo Projects to the Crusaders game and then the next day flew to Auckland to watch my son play.

I have hardly been able to get to watch him play due to the fact we are in the same business. He works when I work!

I was good to get into the shed after the game and chat rugby with the team.

Most of the development team were there and it was good to catch up with Crusader Academy boys in James Cameron and Eli Odenryun.

Depth is important

The Strength Beneath the Surface

In rugby clubs, the spotlight often falls on the Premier side — and rightly so. They represent the top of the club, the standard everyone aspires to, and the team that carries results on the weekend.

But what truly defines a strong club isn’t just what happens at the top.

It’s what sits underneath it.

Your Development sides, Colts, and wider squad players are not just “support acts” — they are the foundation of your club’s success. Without them, there is no depth. Without depth, there is no sustainability. And without sustainability, success is short-lived.

Strong clubs understand that pressure for positions drives performance. When Premier players know there are capable, hungry players pushing from below, standards lift across the board. Training becomes more competitive. Effort becomes non-negotiable. Complacency disappears.

For those players in the teams beneath, their role is just as important. They are not waiting in line — they are preparing. Every training, every game, every moment is an opportunity to be ready when called upon. And in a long season, they will be called upon.

Injuries, form, availability — these are realities of rugby. The clubs that thrive are the ones who can seamlessly bring players up who understand the systems, the expectations, and the culture.

That only happens when alignment exists.

When all teams in a club train with similar language, similar intent, and a shared understanding of how the game is played, stepping up becomes natural rather than overwhelming. The gap between teams shrinks, and the club grows stronger as a whole.

There is also something deeper at play — connection.

Players in the teams below the Premiers are not separate; they are part of the same journey. Their effort at training, their commitment on game day, and their attitude within the club all contribute to the environment that the Premier side operates in.

Simply put: they raise the floor, which allows the ceiling to rise.

So as the season unfolds, it’s worth remembering — every team matters.

The success of the Premier side is built on the work done across the entire club. Depth isn’t accidental. It’s developed, nurtured, and valued.

And in the end, the strongest clubs aren’t just the ones with the best top team — they’re the ones where every player, in every team, knows they have a role to play in something bigger.

Bar Staff Wanted – Join Our Team!

We’re on the lookout for awesome people to join our friendly Bar Team!

If you have Barista experience, a Manager’s Certificate, and/or solid bar experience, we’d love to hear from you. We’re a welcoming, community‑focused club with a great atmosphere. The ideal place to work while being part of our rugby whanau.

If this sounds like you (or someone you know!) and you're friendly, reliable and can work under pressure, please get in touch and send me your CV to: gm@christchurchpark.co.nz

NB: Must be able to work Saturday afternoon/evenings…