About

On Sunday 12 December this year, there will be members of the Crusaders (and possibly Todd Blackadder’s All Stars) taking the field for the Charity Cricket match on the Hagley Oval, who weren’t even born when the first game was played. Such is the legend and such is the legacy of the many Canterbury team and Crusaders team rugby players who have been more than happy to switch codes for a day and play cricket for the benefit of the Cystic Fibrosis Association.

This year’s will be the 28th match and, unfortunately, the early years’ outcomes are buried in the mists of time but since the match scores have been recorded, it’s 50/50 – the Canterbury/Crusaders winning 9 and the Coach’s All Stars winning 9. And the Association estimates that total funds raised are only a few thousand short of half a million dollars!

The event has become a tradition in the Summer calendar of things to go to in Christchurch and, with the date already set, the Cystic Fibrosis Association and the CRFU are able to get organising earlier. Coach Todd Blackadder (the All Stars captain) is already recruiting his team. Marc Ellis is the first to put his hand up.

For sponsors too it’s a great day out. Principal sponsors – Christchurch Casino and ASB are keen again and if you know of any company that might like to sponsor a player – starting at $250 in return for four tickets to the VIP Hospitality Marquee – contact Caroline McKenzie on 341 8026 or caroline@cfnz.org.nz.