Voila! All the ingredients for a killer touch event

A TOUCH TOO MUCH: Ahipara's Peter Walters returned home for Christmas and guided his Auckland-base Touch Galaxy team to first place in the Summer One Day Touch Tournament at Awanui earlier this month.

Take some killer weather, throw in some serious interest from both locally and further afield, add a cash incentive to make things competitive, and a dash of fundraising for good karma, and voila, there you have a perfect recipe for a pre-Christmas sporting tourney.

At least, that's how the annual Summer One Day Touch Tournament at the Awanui Sports Complex on Sunday, December 21 turned out.

Everyone left happy and a little sunburnt, spokesperson Keryn Pivac Kernan noted, adding all involved were also pleased to see the forecast for heavy rain drop the previous night, allowing Sunday to dawn warm and humid, the overcast skies eventually clearing and turning into what many regarded as one of the hottest days of the new summer to date.

At the end of the day, the Auckland-based Galaxy team - led by former national touch rep, Peter Walters, giving his side an almost unfair advantage - applied the experience form playing in a far more competitive environment to take out the first prize of $400 cash in the final over Rewind; with Algeezy placing 3rd and Kareponia taking out 4th place. However, the three runner up teams also took took home a decent cash prize for their efforts, while other awards - for best male and female player, best runaway try, most committed touch and best step - were presented at day's end.

Getting away at 10am and finishing around 5.30pm made for a long day in the hot sun, before the tournament was wrapped up with an informal running relay to allow the leftovers from the substantial prize table to be handed out.

Organisers were "really happy" with the turnout, thanks mainly to canny promotion by Nina Pivac through social media and word of mouth. Galaxy were among a number new faces in this year's field along with Nonu Nonu kids, Step Up from Moerewa, RXBeasts, and 2Styles all joining a number of teams who played in the inaugural tournament last year (held on the Kaitaia College top fields).

Various highlights off the field saw a summer festival atmosphere through the erection of marquees placed around the field to provide shelter from the burning sun, bouncy castles, and the presence of Mickey and Minnie Mouse

The proceeds from the canteen were set to go towards helping Awanui JMB player Kobie Scutt and two friends represent the Kaitaia Athletics Club at the Colgate Games in Wellington in February; while a smoke- and alcohol-free kaupapa provided a fitting environment "for our tamariki [children] to enjoy".

Among those getting a big shout-out on behalf of the Awanui JMB group, the major beneficiaries on the day, were the myriad and various sponsors who "contributed to a successful event" by supplying goods and spot prizes, and a small army of individuals who helped set up and tidy up afterwards. Pivac-Kernan said the tournament had been organised by local whanau as a way to bring together the community before Christmas, as well as being fundraiser (with a different local organisation chosen to benefit from the proceedings every year).

"It's all about getting whanau active outdoors and enjoying the Far North sunshine together, encouraging the littlies to get involved and promoting healthy living. Next year we will be providing a carved trophy as well as cash prizes in an annual event for all to come back to to enjoy.

Hope you all had a great day and enjoy the festive season. Be safe and look after one another. 'Til next year!"