Wanaka Touch Rugby

🏉 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗦 — 𝗪𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨! 🏉

Whether you’ve 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲, have refereed in the past and could do with a refresher, or are an experienced referee keen to get involved this season — we’d love to have you join us!

📣 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 | 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟭𝟭 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥

We’re holding a Referee Training Session at 𝟭𝟭𝗮𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮̄𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀.

The session will cover the basics of refereeing and is suitable for 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀. It’s an opportunity to learn, refresh your knowledge and get ready for the season.

𝗔𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱!

🟨 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝟳–𝟵 | 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗬

We’re particularly keen to encourage our younger players to pick up a whistle this season!

Through the 𝗢𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆, Years 7–9 can learn and develop their refereeing skills while gaining practical experience in our Junior Module.

Our planned pathway is:

👉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟳 & 𝟴 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 → referee Year 5/6 games
👉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟵+ 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 → referee Year 7/8 games

Refereeing within our Junior Module is a 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 and forms part of the referee development pathway. It’s a great opportunity to gain experience, build confidence and leadership skills, and learn much more about the game.

💰 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟵+ & 𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦 | 𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗜𝗡𝗚

Year 9+ referees also have the opportunity to progress into our 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲, where referees are 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 $𝟭𝟮 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲.

To undertake paid Adult Module games, referees must have completed 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Our Referee Training Session on Sunday 11 October meets this requirement.

So if you’re new to refereeing and keen to earn some money on a Monday night — fantastic! Come along to the training, learn the skills you need and we’ll help you get started.

Already an experienced or qualified referee but can’t attend on 11 October? 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝘀.

👇 𝗪𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗛 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗗𝗢 𝗜 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘?

🟨 Years 7–9 joining the Junior Referee Academy:
Complete the Otago Touch Junior Referee Academy form

🏉 Coming to Referee Training on 11 October:
Complete the Wānaka Touch Referee Training registration

𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝟳–𝟵 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗢𝗧𝗛 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀.

And adults — we need you too! Even if you could referee just one game a week, it would make a huge difference.

💛🖤 𝗡𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘀 = 𝗻𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝘀 = 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵. 🖤💛

OTAGO TOUCH DEVELOPMENT DAY – WĀNAKA

Otago Touch is bringing a Development Day to the Wānaka Rugby Grounds on Friday 9 October!

With separate sessions for different ages and experience levels, this is a fantastic opportunity for players to develop their skills, build confidence and learn from experienced Otago Touch coaches.

🏉 Years 5–8 | Beginners
⏰ 10.30am–12.00pm

🏉 Years 5–8 | Experienced
⏰ 12.30pm–2.00pm

🏉 Years 9–11 | All players
⏰ 2.30pm–4.30pm

💰 Cost: $30
📍 Wānaka Rugby Grounds

Registrations are still open, and we would love to see plenty of our local players taking advantage of this opportunity while it is being offered right here in Wānaka.

🔗 Register here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jfhXBBwGE3

Please share this with friends and teammates who may be keen!

📣📣𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡! 📣📣

Whether you're a seasoned touch player, haven't played for years, or are keen to give it a go for the first time, we'd love to see you on the field this summer!

🏉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟵+ & 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀
📅 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
📍 𝗪𝗮̄𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗥𝘂𝗴𝗯𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀
⏰ Games played between 𝟲.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟴.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺
👥 𝗠𝗲𝗻'𝘀, 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 & 𝗠𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀
🙌 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲

Teams can register with up to 𝟭𝟰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀.

𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺? No problem! Individuals and small groups are welcome to get in touch and we'll do our best to connect you with others looking for a team.

👉 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪:
https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/531085

💛 We're especially keen to grow our 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 this season, so grab some friends and come along for a run, a laugh and a great night out!

💛🖤 𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗦, 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗢𝗡𝗘’𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨! 🖤💛

We’re on a mission to grow our Women’s competition this season, and we would LOVE to see more ladies from across our community getting involved!

Whether you’re a seasoned touch player, haven’t played since school, or have never played before, there’s a place for you at Wānaka Touch. This is about getting active, having a laugh, meeting new people and enjoying a great team sport with an awesome group of women.

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀!

Don’t have enough for a full team? No problem! If you have a few friends who are keen, or you’re interested in joining individually, complete our Expression of Interest form and we’ll help connect you with other women looking to play.

🏉 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 – 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳
📅 Mondays, starting 2 November
⏰ Games between 6pm and 8pm
🙌 All abilities welcome
👯 Enter a team or register your interest

We would love to see more women on the field this season—whether you’re coming back to touch, trying something new, or simply looking for a fun way to get moving with friends.

𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗻? Tag your friends, share this with your workmates, and help us get more ladies playing touch!

🔗 Expression of Interest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSff55y9dbj9yG74VwjVr5XhuEWCzYZK85-WyDXfCrBmR2IMdQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

𝗪ā𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲/𝟮𝟳 𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻! 🏉

All Year 5–8 players who would like to play need to complete the Module Trial Registration Form which can be found on our website.

Free introductory sessions are also available for Year 3–4 players.

Please check the information below and scan the QR code for full details, trial dates and registration links.

🏉 𝗪𝗔̄𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 – 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝟵+ & 𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗦

Our Senior Module is back this summer! 🙌

Whether you're a social team, group of friends, workplace crew or a competitive side, we'd love to have you join us.

📅 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
⏰ Games between 6pm–8.30pm
📍 Wānaka Rugby Grounds
🏉 Men's, Mixed & Women's divisions
👥 Up to 14 players per team

𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥
Season 1: 2nd Nov – 21st Dec 2026
Season 2: 18th Jan – 1st Mar 2027

📣 𝗔𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗧 / 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗦
Team registrations open through Sporty on 14 September.

Don't have a full team? No problem! If you're an individual or a small group looking to play, email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to find you a suitable team.

🎓 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 𝟵+ 𝗠𝗔𝗖 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥𝗦
You do NOT need to organise or register your own team. The MAC coaching team will put teams together and the Sports Hub will take care of team registrations.

👉 Make sure you've completed the MAC EOI form.
👉 Trials: Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th Sept, 4-5pm at the MAC Sports Grounds.

🆕 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗥 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚
📅 Friday 30 October
⏰ 5.30pm–8pm
📍 Wānaka Rugby Grounds

Registered Mixed teams (and Men's/Women's teams depending on entry numbers) will play a number of short grading games. This means we can create balanced grades and head straight into round-robin games when the season begins.

🌐 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢
www.sporty.co.nz/wanakatouch

📌 𝗪𝗔̄𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗔 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗖𝗛 – 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗣𝗙𝗨𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗣𝗦

Not sure where you or your child fits this season? We've put together this quick guide to help!

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱:

🏉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝟯–𝟰: No registration required — just come along to our FREE Monday sessions!

🏉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝟱–𝟴:
👉 Module Registration Form: https://forms.gle/ZTxGUuEX2mHxJ84W8
👉 Unable to attend either trial? Dispensation Form: https://forms.gle/VgJ4XYyxcMgUEaWs7

🏉 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟵+ 𝗠𝗔𝗖 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀:
👉 MAC EOI Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOQH9vPNZn9g_loElVBj-hy5AMlu8Xw0iMgsE61yOEh4hkcg/viewform

🏉 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀:
👉 Registrations open through Sporty on 14 September: www.sporty.co.nz/wanakaseniortouch

🏉 𝗢𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲:
👉 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=NtIwcWn2YkaYF6Gx3txcs4vI4TTYjetHj11eRvv7ZS9UOEFUNjJLQkpGVERJVkhJVDhNWEgyWE1TSi4u&route=shorturl

JUNIOR MODULE YEARS 5-8

A new approach for 2026/27

A big change this season is the introduction of Module Trials for all Year 5–8 players.

In previous seasons, players registered in friendship groups and teams were largely formed around those groups. This season, all players wishing to play in the Monday Junior Module will attend a Module Trial before teams are selected.

Our goal is to create balanced teams with a mix of experienced, developing and new players. We believe this will provide a more enjoyable experience for everyone by promoting:

* Inclusive and welcoming teams
* Balanced and competitive games
* Greater player development
* Opportunities for all players to learn and grow

Teams will continue to be single-sex (boys' and girls' teams) and will play against teams of similar age and ability throughout the two seasons.

MODULE TRIAL DATES
Monday 12 October and Friday 16th October
3.30pm – 5.30pm
Wānaka Rugby Grounds

How to Register for Trials

All Year 5–8 players wishing to play in the Junior Module must complete the Module Registration Form - https://forms.gle/KS2UgyAk81QjrqAu5

Players are required to attend at least one Module Trial, however we strongly encourage attendance at both sessions to give selectors the best opportunity to see each player.

If your child is unable to attend either trial date, please complete the Module Trial Dispensation Form (https://forms.gle/A3KDnxXQkwA34jBh6) so they can still be included in team selections. If we don’t have a record of the player, we will be unable to place them in a team for the season.

Once teams have been finalised, families will receive an email with team allocations and all the information needed for the season.

Volunteer Touch Rugby Coaches Wanted

Calling for expressions of interest from parents and community members keen to volunteer as Touch Rugby coaches for the upcoming season!

Opportunities across all levels:

Social Teams: Playing locally here in Wānaka.

Competitive Teams: Playing regionally (coaches will need to travel with the team to regional tournaments).

Season: Mid-October (Term 4) – Mid-March (Term 1)

Team Trials: End of Term 3

Training Days: Days & times to be determined
Contact Diana Roy in the Sports Hub: [email protected]

Touch is all wrapped up for the 2025/2026 season!

Congratulations to all the teams that played over the season. Overall Winners and Runners Up were:

Mixed A Grade
Winners: Soak Day Spa
Runners Up: Do Bros

Mixed B Grade
Winners: Most Improved
Runners Up: Fast not so Furious

Mixed C Grade
Winners: Touching Cloth
Runners Up: Richie McCaw Touch Me Some More

Women’s Grade
Winners: Quik Chicks
Runners Up: MAC Attack

Men’s Grade
Winners: Velvet Thunder
Runners Up: YES Men

A MASSIVE shout out to Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka for generously supporting Wanaka Touch, in particular our Referees. Without our referees our module couldn’t run so thanks again to everyone who refereed over the season!!

Also a HUGE shoutout to Hook Wānaka for coming to the party with our Winners and Runners Up vouchers - there will be some big celebrations happening there very soon!!

Registrations for the 2026/2027 season will be open again around August - watch this space for some exciting new initiatives for Wānaka Touch!!