Braden Matson is the Chair of the Board for Counties Manukau Touch Association (CMTA), having been elected to the Board in September 2022 and swiftly appointed to the role of Chairperson. A dedicated and passionate community advocate, Braden brings a wealth of governance, legal, and grassroots sports experience to the role.

In addition to his leadership at CMTA, Braden serves as a Committee Member for Pohutukawa Coast Touch, one of the largest and fastest-growing modules in the province. His involvement is a vital link between CMTA and the vibrant, expanding touch community along the Pohutukawa Coast.

Braden is also the Vice-Chair of Elementz Sports Group, a community-driven organisation committed to youth development and sport in the region. He is an active member and local leader within Elementz Sports Club, further reinforcing his commitment to inclusive and accessible sport for all.

Professionally, Braden is a qualified Lawyer (LLB/MA) and the Managing Director of Sutcliffe Matson Law, a local legal firm. He has lived in the Pohutukawa Coast community for over a decade, first in Beachlands and now in Maraetai, where he resides with his wife and three children.

Braden's leadership reflects a strong commitment to community, youth engagement, and the long-term growth of Touch in Counties Manukau. His presence on the CMTA Board strengthens the connection between provincial leadership and grassroots development.

Bryan Fox is a member of the Counties Manukau Touch Association board, bringing 25+ years of governance, assurance, and cultural leadership experience. He has held professional roles in General Management, Quality Assurance, Audit and as a Cultural Liaison. He brings a proven track record in committee governance, stakeholder engagement, and organisational development.

Bryan is known for combining cultural intelligence, community service, and strategic leadership to strengthen programmes. He has over 10 years of coaching experience, supporting experienced international coaches for youth teams in rugby union and touch. A dedicated community volunteer, in cultural uplift, alongside long-standing grassroots sport involvement.

Bryan’s goal on this board is to learn from the wealth of experience around him, add value where it matters most, and uphold the legacy of dedication that has shaped the organisation. He is driven by a desire to help the association grow with purpose, keeping eyes on the horizon, anticipating change, and ensuring the organisation continues to thrive for future generations.

Celia Nepia is an experienced project and operations leader with more than a decade of governance‑aligned experience at the Civil Aviation Authority.

Skilled in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and delivery within complex, high‑stakes environments, Celia brings strong analytical and leadership capability to the Counties Manukau Touch Board.

A proud long‑standing member of the Counties Manukau Touch community, Celia has represented the region for many years and is deeply connected to its history, values, and people.

She has represented New Zealand at the 2024 Touch Rugby World Cup and has also proudly represented New Zealand in Tag Football.

Celia is passionate about supporting the growth, inclusivity, and long‑term success of touch rugby in the region. She is committed to strengthening pathways for players, enhancing community engagement, and contributing to strong, effective governance for future generations.

Gina Tupou is currently a Board Member for Counties Manukau Touch Association (CMTA) and was elected in 2024.

Gina has been involved in a number of sporting codes over 30 years that included:

Niue Tag Association: Team Manager and Committee Member

Auckland Rugby League: Senior Management Committee, Football Committee member and Chair
 Auckland Touch Association: Team Manager (40 Mens)

Counties Touch Association (current): Team Manager and Masters Tour Manager

Niue Touch Association NZ (current): Secretary/Treasurer

New Zealand Rugby League (current): Match Manager at Regional and Provincial NZRL tournaments

 Professionally, Gina has worked in local and central government for over 40 years and in roles that support social service providers (Family and Sexual Violence, Youth Services, Elder Abuse, Disability and OSCAR) to continue to deliver against contracted services for communities in North/West.  This includes contract management, governance training, reporting and delivery.

 Priorities:

• Continue to see the growth of the province with the introduction of a new module (Winter Touch) to allow whanau/aiga to come together to play over Winter on a Sunday
• Continue to support current modules within Counties Manukau and look at opportunities for new modules in partnership with schools, sports bodies and communities
• To continue to support pathways for new coaches, managers and referees ​​​​​​​

Alex Wong has a long-standing passion for Touch Rugby and the Counties Manukau community.

Having represented Counties at Men's 45s, 50s and 55s level, and coached representative teams from Under 9s through to Under 16s at National Championships, he understands the importance of strong development pathways. 

As a Board Member, Alex brings commercial, governance and strategic experience, with a focus on growing participation, supporting volunteers, strengthening partnerships and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the association.  

With over 15 years of dedication to Counties Manukau Touch, Edie-May Johnson is a cornerstone of the region’s touch rugby community. Her passion for the sport extends beyond just playing - she has been a long-standing volunteer in various leadership roles, including Secretary, Board Member, Executive Delegate, Tour Manager and Treasurer. Throughout her multiple tenures on the Counties Manukau Touch Board, Edie-May has consistently demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the growth and development of touch rugby at the provincial level.

In addition to her work with Counties Manukau Touch, Edie-May is the Chairperson of XLR8 Sports Trust, a South Auckland-based community sports trust. Through this organisation, she plays a pivotal role in running local touch modules and events, further strengthening the sport’s grassroots presence. The Trust, under her leadership, regularly organizes fundraising initiatives aimed at supporting young athletes in Counties Manukau who wish to play representative touch, but would otherwise face financial barriers.

Edie-May’s contributions go beyond the administrative realm - she has also been a proud player for Counties Manukau Touch, actively participating in the Masters Programme. Her personal experience as both a player and an organiser gives her a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of athletes at all levels.

Her dedication to fostering junior touch talent has not gone unnoticed, earning her the prestigious Service to Touch Award in recognition of her years of commitment and service. Edie-May's tireless work continues to inspire and uplift the entire Counties Manukau Touch community, ensuring that the sport remains accessible, inclusive, and thriving for generations to come.