Touch Kaupapa a hit in Manurewa!

Over 100 tamariki were part of the All Seasons Touch ‘Extender Series’ – a kaupapa developed by Touch New Zealand and tailored to local communities. Funded by Tu Manawa Active Aotearoa, the series uses fun games to teach fundamental skills and improve physical literacy.

The ‘Touch Extender Programs’ are designed to engage tamariki and rangatahi to have fun through touch rugby, and was a hit in Manurewa earlier this year. 

The 3 week series was held at Gallaher Park, and coordinator Devida Hati-Ross says the kaupapa was well received, with the community already asking when it will return!

“We have received really positive feedback from all parents and tamariki, they are especially sad that the 3 weeks have come to an end so quickly!”

Sessions range in length from 45 – 75 minutes, and are scaled to suit all ages and abilities. The programs play an important role in both the development of existing players, and the growth of the game of touch overall, but for Devida – the impact stretched further than the sport itself,

“For the 3 weeks that it ran, I believe the Extender Series did well to provide physical activity opportunities for tamariki in our local community. We set out to provide a kaupapa that eliminated all barriers that prevent kids from being active - such as cost, ability, gender, ethnicity”

For most, this was an opportunity to play, be active and connect with familiar faces, in safe spaces.

And for All Seasons Touch, without the support from Tu Manawa – achieving this would have been a challenge –

“Having the funding from Tū Manawa removed the barriers our people know all too well! Knowing we could access quality coaches, to be able to work with the tamariki in this community, and then being able to give them a small koha for their time and talent was very rewarding for our organisation. 

Without the funding we wouldn't have been able to run this kaupapa, there have been so many positives in such a short time!”