50 Men - 50 Men

Bevan THOMPSON

DOB: 12/10/1963

History: Represent NZ 2003 WC Japan, played all nations academy team beat NZ in semi final, coached a Tasman U21 girls team to national title 2008, best touch achievement the friends I have made and the people I get to play with

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: This one is about revenge my goal is to be a world champion no matter what it takes. Lost to Australia in 2003 in the final and this is my last chance so I want to smash it

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: So competive on the park and so awesome socially of it. Sharing the knowledge back to the youth in our community to help the game grow

Home Province: Tasman

David POU

DOB: 20/08/1967

History: Started Touch late 80s. Represented Auckland in 2007 in 35mixed then went on to represent a successful Auckland 40s men and now into the 50s grade

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: It means a chance to represent our country.. & support & show pride to others that have reached the highest level of our sport. At our age we can still train hard & play it is not a barrier its a challenge

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The excitement ..the pace... the grind ...the friendships...

Home Province: Auckland

Kevin ORLOWSKI

DOB: 1/10/1968

History: Started playing in 1987 in my local comp in Kiakoura, Represent Brisbane City Cobras at Aussie NTL's, Foundation level coach and level 3 referee, selected for Queensland to play State of Origin, first time trialing for and making the National team and World Cup squad

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Huge honour to be selected in my first ever National Team and to be going to a World Cup is a tick off the bucket list! Just a really proud moment to be honest

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The people you get to meet and the relationships you build, catching up with old friends, the speed and skill of the game and winning.... everyone loves to win right? Touch What a Game!

Home Province: Canterbury

Mark HOTHAM

DOB: 21/01/1960

History: Been privileged to have been a NZ Representative since 1989 (Men's Open tour to Gold Coast 1990) & have played in all the World Cups, Trans Tasman and International Tours since

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Always a huge honour to represent NZ , most especially at a World Cup . Even at our " mature" age the excitement & anticipation never wanes, actually increases. Cant wait

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My son Ryan Hotham represented NZ at Secondary School Touch level, around 1999, 2000

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Although the sport itself is so exciting & action filled, it's the people you play with ,train with, travel with, win & lose with that make Touch such a special sport. Often even your most ardent enemies on the field become good mates

Home Province: Auckland currently. Originally Bay Of Plenty

Paul NORRIS

DOB: 23/05/1965

History: I've played a number of times for NZ in various age Groups. Most notably was our gold medal win at the 2011 World Cup for the NZ Men's 40's team. Last year I was part of the NZ 50's trans tasman team that played in Australia

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: To be a role model to my children and continue competing at 50's level I consider to be a great achievement

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: Hopefully my kids will be one day!

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: It's fast, it's fun and it's competitive. Touch, what a game

Home Province: Auckland

PJ TURNBULL

DOB: 15/12/1966

History: Began playing 34 years ago from age 18 and first represented Otago in 35 mixed grade. Changed to 40 mens and played for 11 years then last 2 years I played 50 men for Auckland. I was lucky enough to represent NZ in 50 mens grade at 2018 Trans Tasman held on the Sunshine Coast

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: For me to represent New Zealand at this World Cup I feel privileged because any opportunity to wear the Silver Fern and play for my country is an honour. It is also special for my family because I get to share this experience with my daughter Dayna who is the current Touch Blacks Open Womens Captain

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: My daughter Dayna is the current Touch Blacks Open Womens Captain

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: I love getting out and still playing touch with my mates, also get a lot of enjoyment coaching the game and seeing players achieve their goals and excel playing the sport we love

Home Province: Otago

Raymond TEMOANANUI

DOB: 28/07/1965

History: I have been playing Touch since the 80s, my first touch Nationals was in Massey where I played Open Men's (North Harbour) and continued to play various grades through subsequent years, a change in age grades saw a shift to Auckland in 2010 to the Auckland (40 Mens) wherein I have remained with Auckland and currently play in the Over 50's grade. NZ 40's, my first Touch WC Scotland 2011 where we won the Gold Medal

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Although this is not my first WC it is still a huge honor to be a part of this campaign, to be able to represent my Country and province on the big stage and more significantly to represent my family and friends who have supported me over a number of years

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: It is probably one of the most family orientated sports in NZ where you can play with your son/daughter, your nephews/nieces even Uncles/Aunts and for some even a grand parent - a rarity in any sport

Home Province: Auckland

Terry O'CARROLL

DOB: 9/01/1966

History: I've been playing Touch since I was a teenager here in Australia. Iv'e played rep since my early twenty's men's open days. I have also coached numerous school teams along the way as well as a selector's role for the Catholic High Schools. My best achievement without a doubt was playing for the NZ 50's last year in Queensland. When our anthem was being played I looked up into the grandstand to see my family watching me when I suddenly felt a strong sense of pride overcome me

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Being selected to represent my country at WC is the absolute pinnacle in sport. To wear the black gives me an unexplained feeling pride and passion. Being part of this campaign with my team mates and the NZ contingent is the most rewarding sporting achievement possible. Wearing the back strip makes push myself like never before and strive for excellence

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Definitely the competitiveness of the game. Playing against young or old it's always a challenge. Learning new skills never stops.There is so much to learn in this game of touch with it always changing. The comradery and great people you meet from near or far. Being a fifty year old and still playing top level sport wouldn't be happening without Touch

Home Province: Newcastle

Tony LANGAHETAU

DOB: 29/12/1967

History: Involved since 91 playing module provincial and various NZ Teams - Coaching at Module Provincial and NZ Level

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: A WC only comes around every 4 years so to be representing our country in a contingent full of our elite players in a foreign country win or lose it is a blessing and an honor

Any links between yourself and another individual within our Sport?: 2 Teenage daughters play provincial level

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: The contest!

Home Province: Auckland

Willy DRUMMOND

DOB: 18/08/1968

History: Starting playing and coaching touch in Dunedin over 30 years ago. Have played rep touch for Otago in open mens, open mixed, masters mixed and 40 mens,while in Dunedin I coached at Otago Boys and Otago Girls,and coached U15 Girls,U15 Mixed and Open Women. Since moving to Auckland have represented Auckland in 40 Mens and 50 Mens. I was part of the NZ 35 Mens team which won the 2005 All Nations Tournament in Christchurch, then part of the NZ40 Mens Trans tasmen team in 2011

What does it mean for you to be selected to represent NZ at WC?: Very proud and priveledged to represent my country in a sport I absolutely love

What do you love most about the game of Touch?: Love a sport that can be played from young to old,that gives you an opportunity to play competively from an early age and represent your province and country

Home Province: Auckland