Twilight event heralds exciting season

Te Awamutu Sports hosts tournament

Te Awamutu Sports hosted a twilight sevens tournament last Friday night, in a warmup for the 2022 sevens rugby season. Women and men’s sides came together for an action-packed night of sevens rugby at Albert Park.

Past and present Black Ferns Sevens stars Carla Hohepa, Chyna Hohepa and Tenika Willison played for the Te Awamutu Sports Invitational side alongside Waikato FPC teammate Rina Paraone.

This women’s sidecame up against a Hamilton Old Boys Huskies side featuring the likes of Waikato reps Montessa Tairakena and Reese Anderson.

Four members of the Hohepa family have now donned the Sports jersey after brother Herewini and father Selwyn previously represented the club. Carla’s husband, Karne Hesketh, has also turned out for the club.

Other teams to appear were the Te Awamutu Sports men’s side, Melville, Waitomo and Hamilton Boys’ High School.

Te Awamutu Sports’ Travis Church said it was an awesome night and it was absolutely unreal to see so many local legends on the field.

Matt Gould from True You Photography was in attendance. Check out his work on Instagram, trueyou_ photography.

Photo / Lisa Payne A Te Awamutu Sports Invitational sevens side featuring Waikato’s Carla Hohepa, Chyna Hohepa, TenikaWillison and Rina Paraone.

Photos / True You Photography Te Awamutu Sports flyer Stacey Daniel at the Twilight Sevens tournament at Albert Park.

Hamilton Old Boys Huskies' Reese Anderson takes the ball to ground.

Te Awamutu Sports in action against Hamilton Boys' High School.