Jason Watene of Methven has been named a home ground hero with touch rugby and scored $5000 to develop the sport.
He was one of five 2025 Bunnings Home Ground Heroes named in the touch community nationwide and the only one from the South Island to win.
A builder by trade, Watene has played touch since he was aged 11 ‘‘some 40-odd years ago’’, he said.
He played his first game in Temuka in the late 80s.
Watene, humbled by the national acknowledgement, said he was keen to continue growing the sport in his home town.
He said a committee meeting would be held to decide how best to use the funds to grow the sport, especially with the junior module which fed through to the senior level.
Methven had fun touch for years 0 to 4, a junior competition for years 4 and 5, and intermediate from years 6 to 9.
Years 10 and up play in the senior module, he said.
In the past Methven Touch Rugby also supported senior team members in the development squad with referee training, which also helped grow the sport.
It saw seniors referee junior teams.
‘‘Because we’re developing junior module, with a junior competition here …the senior module is rebuilding a lot more (as a result).
‘‘I’ve coached the school team here at Mount Hutt (College) for the best part of 25 years,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve had teams come through there and I encourage the players that I’ve had in the past to play in that.
‘‘We also go through to Prebbleton on Thursday nights, so we do a lot of travel.’’
He said being part of the school system had enabled him to develop the programme.
He said in 2006 his team winning the South Island schools team event and a third place in New Zealand.
‘‘It’s the best the school’s achieved. We definitely batted well there, well above expectations,’’ he said.
The touch season runs from late September/early October and ideally continued to March but often finished in late December, he said.
Nominated for the accolade by his Methven community Watene was described as ‘‘a local legend and role model’’.
He was influential in growing touch in Methven.
‘‘He holds many roles from coaching, painting the fields, pumping up balls and organising kits for referees.’’
‘‘He dedicates his time to sport so that others can enjoy it and benefit from it.
‘‘His passion for touch, paired with his knowledge and enthusiasm, have all been instrumental in creating a thriving touch module region.’’
– (Jason Watene’s) passion for touch, paired with his knowledge and enthusiasm, have all been instrumental in creating a thriving touch module region. –
