The Touch Project

John Dustow is one of the best touch referees in the world. In this episode we cover his journey - start, progress and goals - and discuss what the future holds for his career.

Tiv Guthrie is one of the most influential people in our sport, anywhere in the world. The man behind the biggest independent online platform in our game, 7th Touch - I sat down and shared a solid hour talking about why the platform was created, whats next and we dig a little deeper on Tiv's background in touch. Enjoy!

Chylo Flavell is a rising star in the touch scene here in Aotearoa, NZ. His story however, man... it's inspiring, funny, motivational and a really good case study for any young player looking to learn from one of NZ's best. A really deep & important korero that covers heaps, the best parts - in my opinion, have zero to do with his abilities as a touch player. Enjoy!

And, we're back! I know it's been a while. I promise this time, we won't go anywhere! Our first episode this season is a special kickstart for the new year, in the form of 10 minutes with Hall of Fame Coach, Mr Tony Trad. I promised you an episode a year ago. He's a sneak peak of our full sitdown which we're working on for a March release date. It's worth the wait, trust. Enjoy! — #TouchProjectPodcast

I missed ya. Here's some context as to why ya boy went AWOL & our first guest for 2023 is….

We get stuck in to a brand new season - catching up with Australian & Queensland Men's Open player Adam Pryde! Happy new year, team! Enjoy.

The former Aussie skipper jumps on the podcast for a yarn this week - we take a stroll down memory lane. I really enjoyed this korero, I hope you do too! Thanks for the catch up, Steve! See you in Sydney for that BBQ in the new year! 

In our latest episode, I catch up with Former NZ Open Men's Representative and cross-code professional athlete Billy Ngawini. A South Auckland boy, living his best life in Ireland - we go back to the beginning and talk through Billy's amazing career. Enjoy!

In the latest episode of The Touch Project, I sit down with NZ Men's Touch Black #100 Cain Rangi. Meke korero with an absolute legend - enjoy!  

A special announcement in this bonus episode - here are your 2022 10K Teams for the event in Feb! MASSIVE THANKS to Grant and the amazing team at Te Rapa Wholesale Cars, the main sponsor of this event. You're amazing bro - thanks for supporting Touch!

I run it back with Jean Marsh, and we discuss why she stood down from the Head Coaching role of the NZ Women's team, as well as the state of Women's Touch in NZ and what could be done to lift the game. Enjoy!

Before Sharlene Bannister-Plumridge was a Black Badge National referee in Aotearoa, she was a NZ Touch Black - playing over 50 games for her country over a 10 year career - Sha will absolutely go down as one of our best! In this podcast we cover... well, everything - from where it started, to where things are at now - and everywhere in between! Enjoy! 

In our latest episode, we catch up with Damian Darlington - a former NZ Men's Open Touch Black who has faced more than his fair share of adversity & setbacks, especially through injury. In this episode we discuss coming through the ranks, making his Touch Blacks debut young - and the accident that nearly left him paralysed. Enjoy! 

In our latest episode - Bo de la Cruz joins us on the podcast. Bo, a proud Gudjula & Erub woman is one of those touchies that needs no introduction. As one of the first Indigenous woman to represent Australia at senior level - we leave no stone unturned in this korero. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did - thanks for your time, Bo. You're amazing! 

Finally made it happen - the korero we've all been waiting for! Drummy joins me for a sit down korero about his career to date and where to from here! Probably the best Touch Black that never was... enjoy this episode with Drummy! 

An encore korero with Mita Graham! The Touch Blacks Captain joins us to catch up, one year on from our first episode. We talk Nationals, a new kaupapa Mits has just launched and the road to World Cup 2023! Enjoy! Keen to donate to Gumboot Friday? Here's the link! https://bit.ly/3u4j9CT

Caught up with Former Touch Blacks Open Mens Coach & absolute legend Peter Bentley! We talk about... well everything, from where he grew up through to his time in the saddle as Touch Blacks Coach and everything in between! A really good chat, with PB! Enjoy! 

Bonus Episode - Jamie O'Connor - Touch Football Australia Chief Executive joins us for a chat and update on what's going on in Australia.

We launch a brand new season with Danyon Morgan-Puterangi. This young carver has managed to make quite the name for himself, particularly in the last few years - representing NZ at the highest level, running out for the Touch Blacks Open Mixed at the last World Cup in 2019. We discuss the highs and lows of Danyons short, but jam packed career in touch - including the recent shift to Open Men's grade, playing for Pearl Jam and what the future holds - enjoy! 

Our final episode of season 2 is with Wade Brunsdon. There's not a lot we don't cover in this sit down, from representing NZ in the 90's to the heights of NZ Club greatness as one of the Original Freezin Hot club players, right through to where we are in 2021. There's so much in this – enjoy!

Miah Williams, one of the greatest names in touch refereeing – joins us to discuss his career, past present and where to from here. Some good stories in this one – enjoy!

Grant Robertson, recently appointed to a new role with Touch New Zealand as the Sports Operations Manager and prior to that was the GM of Touch Canterbury one of the biggest provinces in the country joins me on the podcast today. Prior to his work in our game from an Admin perspective, Grant represented NZ and has been fairly successful when doing so – bringing home gold from KL after the last Touch World Cup.  Bit of a mixed bag this one – as we dig a little deeper on some stuff. I enjoyed this yarn, and I know you will too – Grant Robertson… just like the Deputy Prime Minister, just with less funding and a far less attractive boss.  Enjoy! 

Good chat with NZ Touch Black Open Men's player, Pokaiaua Kurukaanga. We talk footy, mental health & goals. It's a good yarn - enjoy!

In this episode, I catch up with NZ Open Mixed player, Mark Hodson. We have a laugh, touch on some serious stuff - and even talk a bit of touch! Enjoy the latest ep of the poddy! Chur.

Jayden Love joins us for a yarn on the podcast! Enjoy! 

Touch Blacks legend Maurice Stone joins us on The Touch Project for a yarn and a trip down memory lane. Enjoy!

Before we hear from the PTL Franchises, we thought we'd line up a chat with the boss. Here's TNZ CEO Joe Sprangers providing a quick rundown of PTL 2020. Enjoy!

Back with more touch chat, this time with super coach Nigel Hotham. Enjoy this one - it's full of good stuff!

Season 2, Ep 7 with NZ Open Men's Player & singer of Westlife songs Tarkyn Loloselo!

Whitiaua Black joins us for the latest episode of The Touch Project podcast! Enjoy.

The Touch Project - Special Episode with Jordan Papa, the Founder of JP Athletic. We Discuss what makes a good athlete, with the aim of sharing some knowledge for those gearing up for Touch season coming up. Of course, we talk about Jordy's 'touch story' - one of the Co-Founders of the Huskies Touch Club, an off-shoot of Freezin Hot. We're all over the place with this one - but it's well worth the listen. Plenty of laughs too! 

Season 2, Ep 4 with my mate Jean Marsh! NZ Open Women's Coach & lover of Mrs Mac Mince & Cheese pies... and a cold can of coke. Enjoy! S2E4 #TheTouchProject

The Touch Project - Michael Cavanagh, Episode 3 of Season 2.

The Touch Project - Season 2, Episode 2 - with George Jahnke

Season 2 opener with NZ Open Men's players Matty Sinclair. Full episodes available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all of ya fav podcast platforms!

Season Finale: Rahul Das! For episode 24 we catch up with the Head Coach of the NZ Open Men's Touch Blacks. Enjoy! *Really appreciate your support for the first season of the podcast! Much love team!* #TheTouchProject

In Ep. 23 we catch up with Tristan Mana - enjoy!

Episode 22 of The Touch Project Podcast - in this episode we are joined by NZ Open Mixed Touch Blacks Head Coach Hika Pene! 

Australian Open Men's Player Shaun Francis joins us for episode 21 on The Touch Project Podcast #TheTouchProject

Gemma is a triple international athlete for PNG, across three codes - including Touch football. In this episode, Gemma shares her journey in our sport - including some of the struggles that come with playing for PNG and getting to Malaysia for the 2019 World cup. An open, honest conversation about ... well, everything. It's a solid listen for episode 20 of The Touch Project - enjoy! #TheTouchProject

For so long Tama was a key component of the NZ Open Men's framework, and has experienced both the highs of that role and some really challenging times - we discuss it all in the latest episode of the podcast. Enjoy this yarn with one of our best, Tama Guthrie - episode 19 #TheTouchProject

Before Niall was a professional rugby sevens star, she was a touchie playing for Galaxy, representing the Touch Blacks being mentored by Peter Walters! And as you will hear in this honest exchange between us for episode 18, not a lot has changed! So much value in this latest installment of TTP - enjoy!

Bill Kerr, Secretary General for the Federation of International Touch (FIT) joins us for a bonus episode to talk the approach FIT are taking to our games resilience against COVID-19. We also talk eligibility and how you can be part of that review process and whether Touch will ever make it to the Commonwealth Games. Enjoy!

Toni Wall, from the mighty Otago province here in NZ is our Touch Blacks Open Men's Manage, and joins us on the podcast today. She's had a very big impact on our sport, and the merit in who mahi is that you will benefit from her work and influence, but seldom will we see it take place – thus making her amazing at what she does! A Life Member of Otago Touch Association, a proud Mum and the Manager for the NZ Men Touch Blacks – our first insight on the Touch Project, from a Managers point of view – this is Toni Wall, enjoy!

A quick catch up with Touch NZ Chief Executive Joe Sprangers, who gives us an update on how things are going with our sport in NZ. We'll do these every month - some important info in this one, for our Touch Community in NZ.

I was a nervous wreck in this one - how do you cover everything in one episode when your special guest is Mita Graham? I tried my best, and what a real treat this one is. The current Captain of our NZ Men's Touch Blacks, Mita shares stories about his past, present and the future. My favorite episode yet - episode 14 with Mita Graham, enjoy! 

Jordan Marshall King – a current representative of Australia, in the Open Men – Jordan also captained the NZ Maori side against the indigenous all stars, and by in large is one of the most exciting players in touch football at the moment, and that's an opinion shared by many. In this episode we talk about why he opted to represent Aussie instead of NZ, how becoming a Dad made him a better player, his struggles with mental health and what the next phase in his career will be. Jordan Marshall King joins us for episode 13 of the touch project – enjoy! #TheTouchProject

In episode 12, we catch up with NZ Touch Black Open Women's player Tay-a Antonievic. My favorite thing about Tay-a is not how amazing she is on the field, because she is - but it's her infectious spirit, and her ability to light up a room... or in this case, a conversation! Enjoy this glimpse into Tay-a's world, as we share some stories on episode 12 of The Touch Project. 

Episode 11 features NZ Open Men's Touch Black player Carlos Savage. The audio for this is a bit rubbish, so lots of it didn't make the cut in post-prod, but what we did save is still worth a listen - enjoy!! #TheTouchProject

What to say, where to start? Tony Trad, one of the greatest Coaches our game has ever seen - we catch up and nothing if off limits in this episode. A really good glimpse into the mind of a Super coach. Enjoy episode 10 with Traddy. 

Connah Pamatatau has a touch resume like you wouldn't believe, and his natural ability to carve up on the field is matched in merit by how he holds himself off the field. We talk about humble beginnings playing Module footy down in Welly growing up to getting the call up to Debut for the Touch Blacks at just 17 years old.