Tributes and Acknowledgements

All 18 Teams had their own reasons why they wanted to be a part of this event heres some of them.

Smarties
Reta Ann Stewart tragically died following the devastating February 22 Christchurch Earthquake. She was 81 years old and a resident of the Windermere Rest Home Chch. She suffered head injuries and a broken hip after being thrown to the ground when the 6.4 quake hit the city

Reta raised eight daughters and one son, had 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Family describe her as a kind and thoughtful woman who was a great cook, keen gardener and always enjoyed long chats.

One of Reta's daughters Jayne Smart played in our T4C event, Jaynes friends, some for over 20 years including Trish Percy and Julie Davine dedicated the team in Retas honour, beautiful stuff girls Im honoured you saw this event worthy enough to honour Reta with us on Mothers Day.

Alphakem EVENT MAJOR SPONSORS
I want you all to know I could not have run an event like this without some sort of financial backing from my sisters contacts at Alphakem, Bruce Dawson was hugely generous and wanted very little for his financial generosity. This meant entry fees were almost halved! Which allowed us to concentrate more on what this was all about, getting teams together to play touch for the appeals. Thanks Bruce, Raz, Presh and the crew you made a massive difference. Bruce is also passionate about doing something toward helping the indigenous youth so maybe we can collaborate again and help out these kids.

The Ocassionals: WINNERS OF THE MENS
Ben Moceiwai and Greg Kennedy were the first to put in a team and pay yay! I played Rep touch in Chch with Ben and Dan Yee years ago, we’re still playing all these years later and still loving it, thanks boys you didn’t get to do the haka but we’ll have plenty more opportunities in the next tournie. They ended up donating an extra $200 toward the cause. Ben also went back to Chch to help the UCSA (one of our beneficiaries) clean up Chch.

Tigers Mens and Womens: WINNERS OF THE WOMENS
To Ben Houkamau, Aubrey Inston and the gang, I met Ben over 10 years ago studying personal training in Christchurch, good to see mates support each other and pay it forward. To the girls, way to carve it up girls. Ben also had rugby commitments on that day and Sophie, Bree, Neits and the girls gave up their Tag footie commitments to come play and support thanks girls. Good to see while everyone left Maui Mokaraka remained on behalf of his team to collect his hangi.

Victoria Open Mixed: WINNERS OF THE MIXED
If you saw these guys play and then train in the rain you get an idea of what it takes to make the state rep side so don’t be shy, if you reckon you’d like to be in there amongst it the only thing stopping you is you. Thanks Leah Percy, Elias and Chuck for representing.

Saki Tan: WINNERS OF THE CORPORATE
Rainer Ellinghaus and the crew put in a team with family in mind, we had several discussions about him wanting his son to play and I’m glad he was able to and that's one element this is all about, families. Good stuff Rainer. Also thanks for using your legal prowess to find time to write out new policies for the event...not!

Lil Ripperz: JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES
Our future touchies, I was excited to see these lil ones run up to the score board and check out where they were coming and they were over heard as saying ‘hey we’re coming 4th out of 4 thats pretty good aye’ lol what a neat bunch of kids plus they said they really enjoyed themselves. Thanks youngens xx

Wombats: MASTERS REPRESENTATIVES
To Wayne Varney and the boys, this was our Masters representatives, that means slightly over 30, sorry we didn’t have enough in your grade but you know once word gets out, this tournament will be just the beginning then there’ll be more ‘experienced’ teams to compete against. Great work boys, I mean men.

CLC Slammerz, Shot Cuz and  Team Boom Boom
Tracey Cassidy organised 3 teams and a Junior side, she was dedicated from the get go with passion you couldn’t pay for, I love her ‘just get it done’ attitude and she also sourced a couple of handy contacts for singers. Tracey and Nathans teams also had people who’d never played touch ever who’d now like to pursue playing in a touch module. Sweet!

Slice of Heaven
Definitely a positive vibe from Wendy Leach, Kylie and the team. Good sports on and off the field. If you didn’t notice they were wearing cricket Australia tops so they must of realised when it came down to it they knew the better sport wins in the end. ‘Touch’ what a game. Cricket...schmicket

Bayside Raiders
Richard Mokaraka is a Rugby league and OzTag referee, he dedicated his time to spend playing and refereeing with us instead. Thank you for your efforts Bayside especially being short of girls and still fronting up. Richards dedicated mum Emily goes everwhere to watch her son as shes a massive sports fanatic. 

Mokos
Thanks JK and the boys for fronting up and representing the kiwi community, definitely some solid talent and flair amongst your team. I hope to see you guys around the fields again. You were the last team to enter the comp and the last team to turn up for kickoff lol, glad you boys made it though. Except when you left early cos you were cold and hungry lol, fair enough thanks for your support brothers.

Kwassies
Julia Huisman and Filipa Payne entered this Kiwi/Aussie mix. Filipa said she was in it for the fun factor and because she was from NZ, she had 2 youngens in the junior side also. I love that people came for the cause and touch was a fun forum to contribute. Kwassies donated $80 toward the appeals. Thanks Kiwi/Aussies

Touch n Tell
Tamara Milne is a Chch girl she organised a team that also included her sister Sarah, they were so supportive and motivated and just appreciated being a part of this event. These 2 girls are keen to play throughout the winter so please contact me and I will forward your details to them. What a positive outcome for touch in general. See you on the field girls.

Vipers
Started off as Wolfpac then came up with Vipers. Lorie Trenuela an ex Cantabrian and her teammates weren’t too phased waiting the 3 hours for the hangi, why? Because it was so good. Look forward to seeing my new mates on the field. Thanks Lorie and the crew

AWESOME EFFORT EVERYONE...................

Loren
A massive thankyou goes to my sister Loren, she endured my ongoing 'you've got to get this done, you've got to get that done', an extremely huge amount of work had to get done in 2 months so while I was out doing my stuff she was doing the paper work which I found unsatisfyingly tedious but absolutely neccessary. Thank god it was completed because now we are incorporated and able to apply for grants for future events. Thanks sister. 

Refs
To our hard working referees wow! It was all for the cause they never got paid, never expected anything for their time and slogged on through the cold. OMG if I ever again yell at you on the field in the future remind me of the immense efforts you all put into this event, I am humbled by your work ethics, your patience and your integrity, you were amazing!

Brad Washingtons first touch event after receiving his level 1 badge a week earlier, Brad is from Kaiapoi just out of Chch. Julie Davine and Richard Mokaraka for their efforts not only reffing but playing too, that’s really fantastic. Sally Melzer for her expertise and dedication to the sport all the best at World cup in June, Robert Nieuwenhuis for his great attitude to just slog on and get the job done, Giancarlo Leung for staying on late and committing til the end, James Wastsford for helping setup before the event started, Riordan for your efforts throughout while also playing, Jim Addis and Cliff Winnett for being there from start of day to finish and helping after the event while organising the refs, Cliff is also heading off to Scotland, enjoy the experience. Thank you all.

The Volunteers
Robert and Paige Kumeroa. Tracey Cassidy, Steph Johnston (touch buddy from Chch) and her hubby Sean for showing up early morning to help set up, Sean also went to Chch to help with the UCSA cleanup they also did the 100km walk for Oxfam in April truly a charitable pair. Amber Mouatt Campilan a longtime friend from Christchurch and her partner Callam for organising her workplace (Stockland) to get together and donate to this cause. Bottles of wine and $50 gift voucher donated by Jo and Mt Erica.

RJ the DJ
Our Kiwi resident RedBull DJ, RJ you were awesome it brought back a little nostalgia hearing some of those tunes from back home and how cool is it running around playing touch to music. Love your work.

Our young entertainers
Kayla and Kahlia, 2 beautiful songstresses, I wish everyone could of heard more of you both, you were amazing. Next time.

Aussie Soft Serve
Luke is amazing he decided it wasn't exactly a great day for icecream and left us with his donation, no bothers about getting a profit for himself, thanks Luke..

Masquerade Lingerie
Dana Boyd kindly donted. Thankyou

Touch Football Victoria
To Dave Diack and Ali Tuai
Hours were spent helping us out with the match fixtures, draws and continuous rearranging to cater for late entrants. Dave also turned up on the day and then refereed in his own time to support us, later I realised Dave is also an expat from Dunedin which is south of Chch, thanks Dave. Ali was my point of contact from Touch Vic at the beginning, he helped secure the grounds and unfortunately only through prior commitment to his family was he unable to attend our event. Thankyou both.

Michael Lovett
Mick spent the day in support of our event helping and extended an invitation to support future events which will mean more admin support, smoother running on the day and a commonality to support the touch community and beyond. He and his wife are expecting a baby very soon and he spent most of the day (Mothers day) at the event. Much appreciation for your time away from your family to freeze with the rest of us. Big congrads to the soon to be extended Lovett whanau.

Thanks also to Dave Watts

Please let me know if I have unintentionally missed anyone out or misspelt your name.

TRIBUTES FROM SOME OF THE BEST TOUCH PLAYERS FROM AUSTRALIA AND NZ

Peter Walters National Coaching/Elite Development Manager Touch New Zealand

E tangi tonu ana te manawa ki a ratou i haere ki tua o pae, i hoki ki nga matua tipuna i te ru whenua a Ruaomoko kei Waitaha, kei Otautahi, me pewhea nga kupu korero hei mirimiri i te kinikini ngakau, te kinikini tangata.
Ano hoki te mihi aroha ki a koutou e noho ana i te kainga ra mai te whanau ano hoki mai Aotearoa, mai Ahitereiria, ahokoa Aotearoa mai, Ahitereiria mai, ko te ngakau tangata e kore e whati, na reira ki a koutou noho ora mai i raro i te korowai aroha.

Our hearts continue to go out to those that have departed this life and returned to be with their ancestors as a result of the earthquakes that have affected the people of Canterbury and Christchurch. It is difficult to find the words that can soothe the heartfelt pains that pull at the souls of people at this time. Our heartfelt love is extended to all those affected from those living in Australia, both New Zealanders and Australians alike that give their combined sympathies and thoughts to those at home. Peace and love be with you.

Garry Sonda Former Australian Men’s Open Vice Captain-Dual Touch World Cup Winner and
Gavin Shuker Former Australian Men’s Open Captain-Dual Touch World Cup Winner

In 2005 we visited Christchurch for the All Nations Touch Tournament. We got to experience a beautiful city with very friendly people. Both Gavin and myself were extremely saddened when news of the Earthquake filtered through. During our battles with the Kiwis we have met many great friends some of whom are from Christchurch including Ed Burell and Caine Rangi whom are my current teammates.

When Claudia offered Inferno the chance to be a part of the fundraiser event we were only too willing to help out. Hopefully in some small way it shows our neighbours across the Tasman that we are more than happy to offer our support.

Manu Wakely Player/coach of the current Vawdon Cup, State Cup and National Open Mixed Touch Champions Australia

As I sit here watching our daughter play safely in the comfort of our home I can not begin to imagine the despair involved when our sense of security, our sense of safety and our sense of well being is shattered by some unforeseen event.

I am thankful of the opportunity Claudia has offered, using 'touch' as a way to join in, help out and contribute in some way to mend and to begin to rebuild the lives of those individuals whom have been affected. Our hearts go out to you all and I hope our gestures will encourage you and let you know you are not alone. 

Naze Touch Black Open Mens Captain
To the people of Christchurch and Japan such tragedy and devastation has struck recently. The town I grew up in and once knew has changed forever. I cant even begin to comment on the magnitude of the hurt, pain and destruction many people around the world have experienced over the past 7 months but trust that at times like this it is people that can heal the soul.

Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao, Maku e ki atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata!

"Ask me what is the greatest thing in the world, I will reply: It is people, it is people, it is people! To everyone affected by these events world wide remain strong, resilient, love and look after one another.Tino Arohanui

TouchChristchurch would like to acknowledge the following


Official LOGO created by talented artist my friend Stephanie Bailey. I also am immensely humbled by Japanese Pop Artist : Jun Arita who made Stephs work come to life. Jun is from Osaka Japan and lives in Auckland, NZ he also donates to both Chch and Japan Equake appeals through his art PLUS he designed an Album cover and tshirt designs for Tiki Taane Tikidub Productions. Go checkout his designs and buy his tshirts theyre really cool.
 

FRAMED AND SIGNED NRL JERSEYS SOLD



James Tamou North Queensland Cowboys Front rower donated a 2011 Signed NRL playing jersey
Aaron Heremaia NZ Warriors Hooker has donated a 2011 Signed NRL playing jersey
Darrell Williams Former Centre has donated a Signed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL playing jersey
 

Claudia Kumeroa
Founder Touch4Christchurch & Touch4Charities