Welcome!

Welcome to the latest newsletter keeping you in touch with the news from within the Christchurch Football Club.

A big weekend with Colts, Premier Reserve and Premier Men's taking on both Linwood and Marist Albion in game of 3 halves, with the Premier Men's grade playing for the Mike O'Donovan Memorial Jersey - Marist Albion taking the win by one try.

Plenty more still happening with St Andrews College playing two games at the club, the first tonight against Kings College, and then again next Thursday against Toowoomba.

Also we have the CRFU Gala day on the 6th April.

Read on for more details…

Pre-season Rugby - Premier Reserves - Crocs

Great to see so many familiar faces chucking the red and black jersey back on for another season, after what was a rather successful 2023 for the Crocs. The game of three halves proved a tricky format for a team that may need a few more broncos under their belt before the official season starts. First up was Marist Albion, a side who played a grade up from us last year. It was a physical first hit up for the lads, and it was reassuring to see that they maintained it for the full 30-minute match. Both sides showed some rust, fair few chances to pack down for a scrum and or take a lineout following a messy attempted exit, but it shone a light on a few rather basic things the lads will be working on in the coming weeks. Overall, a well-played match and the Crocs were and should be feeling good after that one.Our second match was straight off the back of the first, a semi-final rematch against Linwood. Unfortunately, this game was a bit more one sided as Linwood found gaps in the defensive line with their fresher legs charging against our tired ones. All in all, coaches Kyle and Matt were just keen to see the boys get a good game of footy under their belt, try out some new combinations and see what the lads need to work on before the season is underway.Up the Crocs!

Connor Kitto

Pre-season Rugby - Colts

It was great to be able to field our own Axeman CFC Colts team back for 2024.  With the first match up against our old combined club-Marist Albion, the boys played well.  With a solid scrum and good defence, they kept Marist Albion in their half for most of the match. First try came from Marist Albion with a kick deep into CFC half pinned them in their 5m, and with an unfortunate charge down kick were rewarded with a try.

CFC were next to hit back after a couple of penalties for back chat to the ref from Marist Albion we managed to pin them in the corner and with a good set of carries from the forwards and nice hands from the backs Alistair Binnie dotted down in the corner for a great team try.

CFC managed to stay in it for most of the game however into extra time the penalties kept mounting up for the team and let Marist Albion into their half and ultimately, they ended up scoring. Ended the game 10-5 Marist Albion.

Linwood was a bit of a different game and although the boys did well to stay in the fight with a much bigger and clinical Linwood side, they managed to mount up the points on CFC.  Massive fight from the boys however Linwood proved too strong for CFC and the boys went down 40-0.

Some great positives from the team with solid scrums and strong defence showed some good solid foundations for the start of the season.

Looking forward to their next hit out against UC 2s on Thursday 28th 6pm @ UC.

Steph Te Ohaere-Fox

Rugby Development Officer

Junior Rugby

Managers and Coaches

As our junior registrations come in & the number of teams grows, we sadly, currently do not have enough Coaches & Managers to run these teams. 

Volunteering as a Coach or Manager is something we all wish we could all do more of. And to be fair, isn’t as scary as you may think. Especially if we all chip in to help each other.  

The CRFU, under NZR guidelines, hold a compulsory Small Blacks course, every year, for all coaches, (& recommended for managers) to ensure they have the foundation around what our kids need for the season in their grade. They provide the tools regarding skills & drills of what you can teach in your trainings, what is realistically expected, health & safety protocols, & the main fundamental point – How to make rugby an enjoyable experience! 

Here at CFC, we want our players to have the time of their life on the field! We are incredibly lucky to have some incredible knowledge and experience within the CFC team & Junior committee. Who have mostly all coached or managed somewhere along the line.  

CFC are here to help & always provide assistance to our officials. Because we know, how important & valuable you all are.  

Simply put, unfortunately: no coach = no team. 

So please, if you are able – register as a 2024 CFC Junior Coach or Manager. 

The kids will thank you for it! 

Coaches registration: www.cfc.co.nz/2024-registration/2024-cfc-coaches 

Managers registration: www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/213856 

 RIP Grade Represent!

Some of our fantastic RIP players were fortunate enough to play a game before the Crusaders game last weekend.

Way to represent your club guys! The red and black getting behind the red and black.

RIP is one of the fastest growing areas of rugby across the Motu (island), which was evident when we held the NZ Junior Girls Festival last year - a large number of girls teams came to play in the RIP grades which was fantastic to see.

RIP is a great alternative to tackle, but still incorporates many aspects of a game the kids love, and now ranges from Year 1 right through to Year 8, previously stopped at Year 2!

Book this Venue

If you are a business that is looking for a central conference venue or meeting space with full catering and motel units, Christchurch Football Club is the perfect place! Members discount available.

Please contact: Jen Muller 021 0222 7810

Article added: Thursday 04 April 2024