Touch Canterbury Association

Name: Mel Carson

Role: Chairman

About me:

Mel is a Secondary Health and Physical Education teacher. She values the opportunities that sport can play in the development of youth beyond the physical skills, focusing on the interpersonal skills, personal growth, resilience, sense of belonging and commitment required to improve.

Mel volunteers on the High Performance Panel at Touch Canterbury to support the Representative programme.

Why are you passionate about touch rugby?:

Had the opportunity as a Youth, Opens and Masters player to represent Canterbury, New Zealand and England at National Competitions, World Cups and European Championships. These positive experiences as a player and a coach have led to volunteer work with Touch Canterbury to support the representative programme and continue to develop opportunities for players to experience enjoyment in Touch.

Name: John Watson

Role: President

About me:

After 30 years in the Stock & Station Business John has spent the balance of his working life in the Sporting industry. A strong background in rugby administration, including Club and Sub Union Chairmanships, led to him forming a Touch Module at his Rangiora Rugby Club.

From there John was appointed as Provincial Touch Manager for Canterbury in 1997. In 2001 he accepted a volunteer position as Tour Manager for Touch NZ. Shortly after this he was seconded to Touch NZ to progress the sport throughout the South Island as well as be responsible for all the NZ Senior Touch Teams. He managed 2 World Cup Campaigns (Japan and South Africa) as well as 2 Trans Tasman Series, the All Nations Tournament in Christchurch and a development Tour to Queensland.

After completing his contract with Touch NZ he went back to Touch Canterbury for a brief period to help facilitate the repayment of a substantial debt that had been incurred.

John served 9 years as Touch NZ President and is currently the Deputy Chair of the TNZ Board

Married to Carole for 58 years they have 2 married children and 5 grandchildren.

Why are you passionate about touch rugby?:

I love the fact that Touch is a game for all, includes both genders and all cultures and can be experienced at any level our participants have the ability and the desire to aspire to.

Name: Joel Langley

Role: Board Member (IT Solutions)

About me:
A player first and foremost (of around 15 years), Joel has been involved with Touch Canterbury as a volunteer for around 4 years, as a coach, committee member and now board member.Beyond his love for Touch, Joel boasts a 20-year track record within the IT industry. Currently serving as a General Manager at Australasia’s leading IT corporation, his executive acumen is a testament to his strategic thinking and leadership.Joel’s commitment extends beyond the boardroom. His focus revolves around enriching the game’s reach, enhancing participation rates, ensuring financial stability, and harnessing technology to elevate the experience for all stakeholders.

Why are you passionate about touch rugby?:

Touch is a sport that’s accessible to everyone, all you need is a ball and a few items of clothing to mark some corners. in a world of rapidly rising cost of living there is no sport better able to connect communities and get kids out into the NZ summer with their friends and family, learn teamwork, discipline and most importantly have fun!

Name: Mitchell Bailey

Role: Board Member/Provincial Referee Director

About me:

I have played touch since the age of 4 years, and have continued ever since. I moved into refereeing as an adult as a way to stay fit and have since become involved with Touch Cantebury and Touch New Zealand.

During the day I am a primary teacher who is passionate about sport, health, mathematics and music, by night I tend to be involved in plenty of fitness activities either refereeing or playing touch, rugby or even running/ cycling during my weekends.

Why are you passionate about touch rugby?:

Touch has been a huge part of my life since I was very young and I love how inclusive the sport is to everyone. The people and places I've managed to go to with the sport is incredible and I really enjoy meeting new people from all across the globe.

I hope as PD I can support many new and young referees to take up the whistle and join the amazing family we have here in Touch Canterbury.