
Our people - our game!
Touch NZ Community Coaching enjoy linking to amazing people that do positive things for people and the community
We met Moana Hona-Rangiaho at one of our Foundation courses a couple of season’s back. It has been awesome to see her growth and impact over time
Check out this little update:
Touch played in the small Eastern Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau has always been strong. Back in the late 1980s too late 1990s, there was a strong passion for Touch, with numerous players continuing on to play at BOP, and New Zealand Representative Level.
“Tarawera Park was packed back then, with up to 25 Senior fields being played on for each round, says
Frank Rangiaho (Kawerau Touch Co-ordinator 1985 - 1996).
“It was a big thing back then, where everyone came”.
Over the years there has been massive societal shifts which have impacted on Touch, as well as many other sports codes. This has contributed to slow decline in player participation in sports.
Fast forward 20 odd years, there has been a resurgence in Junior Touch in Kawerau with number participation on the increase.
Moana Rangiaho, Kawerau Junior Touch Co-ordinator puts this down to ‘the love of playing sports and
raw talent”.
“Often it takes minimal effort to make the biggest impact”.
Kawerau Junior Touch has registered up to 300 primary/intermediate aged kids playing each week in their Summer Module.
From a small town of 6000 people, that’s a huge chunk of our kids getting out there playing sports.
The Kawerau Junior Module has been running for the last 6 years, with 20% of players go on to play Representative Touch with Bay of Plenty.
As a Module Co-ordinator, it’s important we have prudent systems in place to run the module, but also ensure strategic planning takes place for future development of the game.
An example of this, was the introduction of Year 1-2 (5 & 6s) year olds into the module, playing a modified version of the game.
“The emphasis was to get our kids out there running around, with a key focus on participation and fun” says Rangiaho.
This has contributed to 100 new players with equally as many parents being introduced to the game of Touch.
From a town that has had to endure its fair share of socio-economic hardship, it’s easy to see why so many kids take to playing sports.
Touch provides enjoyment, opportunities, and a shared sense of whakawhanaungatanga. As a committee, our long term endeavour is to “Grow the game”.
We need to ensure we provide a positive environment for our Juniors to participate, have fun and look at opportunities and pathways for growth and development.
Moana Rangiaho
Kawerau Junior Touch Co-ordinator
Touch NZ Community Coaching enjoy linking to amazing people that do positive things for people and the community
We met Moana Hona-Rangiaho at one of our Foundation courses a couple of season’s back. It has been awesome to see her growth and impact over time
Check out this little update:
Touch played in the small Eastern Bay of Plenty town of Kawerau has always been strong. Back in the late 1980s too late 1990s, there was a strong passion for Touch, with numerous players continuing on to play at BOP, and New Zealand Representative Level.
“Tarawera Park was packed back then, with up to 25 Senior fields being played on for each round, says
Frank Rangiaho (Kawerau Touch Co-ordinator 1985 - 1996).
“It was a big thing back then, where everyone came”.
Over the years there has been massive societal shifts which have impacted on Touch, as well as many other sports codes. This has contributed to slow decline in player participation in sports.
Fast forward 20 odd years, there has been a resurgence in Junior Touch in Kawerau with number participation on the increase.
Moana Rangiaho, Kawerau Junior Touch Co-ordinator puts this down to ‘the love of playing sports and
raw talent”.
“Often it takes minimal effort to make the biggest impact”.
Kawerau Junior Touch has registered up to 300 primary/intermediate aged kids playing each week in their Summer Module.
From a small town of 6000 people, that’s a huge chunk of our kids getting out there playing sports.
The Kawerau Junior Module has been running for the last 6 years, with 20% of players go on to play Representative Touch with Bay of Plenty.
As a Module Co-ordinator, it’s important we have prudent systems in place to run the module, but also ensure strategic planning takes place for future development of the game.
An example of this, was the introduction of Year 1-2 (5 & 6s) year olds into the module, playing a modified version of the game.
“The emphasis was to get our kids out there running around, with a key focus on participation and fun” says Rangiaho.
This has contributed to 100 new players with equally as many parents being introduced to the game of Touch.
From a town that has had to endure its fair share of socio-economic hardship, it’s easy to see why so many kids take to playing sports.
Touch provides enjoyment, opportunities, and a shared sense of whakawhanaungatanga. As a committee, our long term endeavour is to “Grow the game”.
We need to ensure we provide a positive environment for our Juniors to participate, have fun and look at opportunities and pathways for growth and development.
Moana Rangiaho
Kawerau Junior Touch Co-ordinator