Matatū wāhine make waves as they begin new legacy at Foundation Weekend
The inaugural Matatū Super Rugby Aupiki team came together to connect (tūhono) during their foundation event, held from 29th - 30th of January.
The purpose of Foundation Weekend was to consolidate strong roots from which the team could grow - with each other, with the Matatū brand and with their surroundings.
Saturday gave the team an opportunity to learn the brand story of Matatū, to connect with the identity and legacy that the athletes are now a part of. A whakawhanaunga encouraged the players to share their own unique backgrounds and stories, to build and strengthen the relationships between teammates. Representatives from Ngāi Tūāhuriri also took the team through a unique waiata and haka created especially for the Matatū team.
Matatū Head Coach Blair Baxter said it was really special to see the players and staff so aligned in their understanding of where Matatū had come from, and to be carrying that legacy in the present together.
““There was a feeling that everyone was proud to be in the room.””
“There was a real buzz of excitement, I think everyone left wanting to know more about each other and strengthen those connections even more,” Baxter said.
“It was also a real highlight doing these cool activities and seeing the organic learning within the team. The athletes started to understand each other more and be themselves which was great from a coaching perspective – that alignment is going to help us move forward even faster.”
The weekend’s events also included an Amazing Race that led the girls all over Ōtautahi, from the Waimakariri, to Sumner, through Christchurch central, and finished at Orangetheory Stadium where Matatū will play their inaugural match in a month’s time.
Sharing their unique experiences and coming together as an aligned group was a special opportunity for the team to build on their core values. Tūmanawa (determination) was shown in their competitive Waka on Avon experience, and tūhono (connections) were strengthened while sculpting one another’s clay portraits.
Learning about the brand story and tūaho (legacy), each other’s backgrounds and their “whys” impacted the players on a personal level. A sense of tūtira (unity) was achieved through this learning.
Matatū utility back Rosie Kelly said hearing the story behind the brand name gifted by Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and learning about the team’s matatuhunga (values) was really special.
““I think it’s something that sets us apart from other teams.””
“Being the first player group to play for Matatū is so special, and you could tell everyone was keen to tell the team’s story and represent it with pride,” Kelly said.
Matatū wing Grace Steinmetz agreed with Kelly, and said learning the kaupapa of the brand was a real highlight.
“It was crucial for us to feel connected to the Matatū identity, and also to one another as players and coaching staff,” Steinmetz said.
“Learning the team waiata and haka of Matatū was also a massive highlight for me, and something I will really carry with pride into the season.”
Foundation weekend was the first step in the team’s journey toward their inaugural match in Super Rugby Aupiki, scheduled to take place on Sunday 6th March against the Hurricanes at Orangetheory Stadium.