Touch ‘hero’ takes $5k prize
Manukau touch rugby player Luke Chapman has won $5000 for his team to help with costs such as membership fees, uniforms, tournament travel and other touch rugby gear.
Chapman was selected as a home ground hero in a new award run by Touch New Zealand and sponsored by Bunnings.
It is an initiative that recognises and celebrates people in the touch rugby community who make a significant impact to the sport.
The initiative called on the touch community to nominate theirHome Ground Heroes, who have likely been involved in the sport for many years and go above and beyond the call of duty in support of the game.
Touch NZ chief executive Joe Sprangers said, ‘‘we had an incredible response from the touch community with over half of all touch modules across the country nominating a home ground hero. ‘‘It’s fantastic to see so many amazing individuals doing such great mahi for the sportwe love and it made for a tough job selecting our five inaugural winners.’’
Chapman has dedicated endless hours and energy to working with others in the touch community to develop and improve their game.
He is committed to supporting his local community through sport, which he loves to be involved in as a player, mentor, manager and coach.
During its first year, the Home Ground Hero competition received 120 nominations, which represents over half of touch modules in New Zealand, demonstrating the huge need for support across the country.