Youth and Open – Opening Ceremony
Day One of the Opens & Youth National Champions dawned without a cloud in the sky, making for a great start to what will be an exciting day.
The teams assembled at 8.00am for the march-past, the pre-cursor to the Opening Ceremony. The teams marched from their provincial marquees up into the grand stand for the start of the Opening ceremony.
As part of the Opening Ceremony, for the first time in Touch NZ history, Service awards were presented to two recipients. He first recipient was Cecily Stainton, a long time player for New Zealand.
The second award was presented posthumously to Donna Morgan-Stone, who has represented New Zealand, Bay of Plenty and local module level, as a player, Coach and administrator.
The award was incredibly touching with the Bay of Plenty contingent performing a haka, followed by a moving speech from Donna’s husband Darren Stone.
Following the award presentations, the mayor of Hutt City, David Ogden, provided some light humor with his welcoming speech to the participants.
The Tournament was then officially opened by Touch NZ President, Les Lunny, with his trademark “Touch…What a Game!”
The focus then shifted to the Sprint replays, to find the fastest team in each grade.
As with the march-past, the sprints were well attended by the teams and those not participating remained in the Grand Stand to support their team mates, creating a great atmosphere.
The focus then turned to the games which commenced at 10.00am
2009 Opens/Youth Sprint Relay Results
19 Men’s = Counties-Manukau
19 Women’s = No Result
21 Women’s = Waikato
21 Mixed = Canterbury
21 Men’s = Auckland
Open Women’s = Canterbury
Open Mixed = Counties-Manukau
Open Men’s = NZDF