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June 2024 After the tournament season, our team remains dedicated to preparing for another successful touch season. We are refining our strategies and enhancing the experience to reach our goals for our touch communities across Aotearoa. Our aim is to make the upcoming season even more unforgettable than the last. Leading up to the 2024 Touch World Cup, teams are coming together to gear up for the campaign. We appreciate the dedication of every player and leadership team from the Touch Blacks and our Masters teams. Follow their journey on our social platforms and support them with #BACKINGBLACK! Discover below the positive impact IPIR is making in the community and the mahi that Alex Buttery has implemented Stay connected, stay informed, and keep the Touch spirit alive!  |
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Pūmanawa Āwhina Celebrates Youth Week 2024 Youth Week 2024 was a vibrant celebration in our Pūmanawa Āwhina communities, reflecting the theme, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all." The IPIR in Tāmaki collaborated with WayFynders Youth hosting a youth night event ‘IGNITE THE EAST’. The event featured Dance Fit, Box Fit, Hip Hop classes, Streetball and Volleyball tournaments, an E-Sports stimulator, karaoke, and numerous challenges with exciting spot prizes. The IPIR in the Mid North alongside organisations came together for a Youth Sports Fun day, packed with activities and cool prizes. We are incredibly proud of the rangatahi involved in planning and leading these events from event planning to emceeing, officiating games, capturing content, and preparing kai. The success of these events highlights the outcomes of our ‘Igniting Potential in Rangatahi’ Programme by developing leaders who have the self-confidence to contribute to their whānau and community, building whanaungatanga, creating intergenerational impact, and contributing to positive career choices. |
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Otago Junior Referee Academy For many years, Alex Buttery, Provincial Referee Director, introduced Balmacewen Intermediate students to refereeing Touch games at Kensington Oval. Despite positive feedback, the number of available referees often fell short. Efforts to involve other Dunedin intermediates faced challenges with student and coach acceptance. During the pandemic, managing large groups of students became difficult, prompting the idea to recruit junior referees to disperse crowds and maintain restrictions. In Term 1 2022, the Junior Referee Academy was launched with 25 referees. The programme, supported by funding from TAB NZ and Bendigo Valley Foundation, provided uniforms, whistles, and employed a coordinator, Mitchell Lee. His youth and experience helped the academy thrive, with students quickly adapting and recruiting friends. The academy has grown significantly:
The programme has successfully expanded to the Taieri community, with senior students supporting junior referees. |
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