19/01/2021
Fusion.... a 15 year story with Kapiti Touch.
Touch is built on History, Hard work, honesty and integrity. This sums up Fusion to a tee.
Season 2020/2021 has seen a great milestone reached for one of our Kapiti teams.
This year sees Fusion reach 15 years of continual involvement with Kapiti Touch Module.
Recently I contacted Cheryl one of the founding members and asked a few questions about the team to recognise them in a milestone year.
When and how was the team founded?
Fusion was established in 2005. The founding members of the team are Euge, Jason, Cody, Hayden and Cheryl who are still actively playing. The name came about when we were playing on the front field and decided to all write down a name each and pick it out of a hat, the first name picked out wasn’t very well received so we drew it again and wolah – “Fusion” was named.
Are there any memorable moments over the 15 years?
• Game against Hit the Gap and Euge having an altercation with Dane Coles, Euge thought Dane had swore at me but he actually swore at his own player and they ended up having f***y cuffs (Dane wasn’t an All Black then!).
• Lindsay, the only man to still be side stepping whilst in the in goal.
• Winning both semi-finals in 2018 and 2019 (previously losing to Kapiti Signs in round games).
Unfortunately, no titles have ever been won by Fusion in Touch.
Representative players from the team?
Sage, Caleb and Daniel for H-K and the boys for NZ and Euge for both Wellington and H-K, Andre Halbert – H-K Cricket.
What keeps you all coming back?
The comradery that we have keeps us coming back, we love playing together as a team and jamming and the love of the game and we always play in honour of my father and the kids grandfather.
2 players to watch in the team?
Female player to watch –Hana, she’s exciting with the ball, knows how to score and her defence is on point.
Male player to watch – Cody Halbert, the older he gets, the better he plays, dynamic, explosive, has the best team spirit.
Youngest player in the team? Tyler Halbert
Who is in the team of 2020/2021?
Make up of Fusion is Cheryl & Euge and our 3 tamariki and their partners, Hana and Dev, Sage and Myah, Caleb and Libby. Brothers Jason, Cody, Neihana and Teej (my oldest sisters boys and Teej is Euge’s daughter). Hayden, Daniel and Tyler who are brothers and sister and are my other sister’s children. Andre Halbert who are the kids first cousin. Josh and Janey round out the team – all local.
Are there any weird superstitions that the team have?
No weird superstitions that I know off, but I do remember the younger lads wearing each other’s boot so they would have their own boot and their cousin Daniels boot!
Any team traditions? Neihana is our go to guy for our 3 cheers at the end of the game.
Any fun extra info about the team?
Fastest person in our team at the minute is Josh Quin – use to be Sage!
Euge and Caleb are the grandpa’s of the team but I guess it’s because they have the hardest mahi
Hayden is the hardest trainer in the team.
Hana is the loudest on the field, always talking.
Daniel is the best singer in the team.
Jason has the best hidden talents in the team, not only can he make a mean rewana bread he is also a renowned rapper and goes by the name of Banjo Slather.
Biggest supporters – Sue and Pamela Mareikura
Fusion also play Tag on Monday nights in Otaki and have won the title twice. We just started to play our mixed Tag team in the mens comp on Thursdays in Matthews Park. We also played Slow pitch softball at Te Atiawa and won that cup a few times in a row and dabbled in Indoor netball.
Special mention to past players - Tina and Rangi Halbert, Heather Mareikura, Iria Halbert, Tiana Barnes, Delayne Edmonds, Alice Wiggan, Katie, Alan Wayne Mareikura, Wesley Henry, Kevin Cundy, Lindsay, Paora, Renee, Kylee Papafloratis, Tara Maniapoto, Michael Yeatman, Jo Apanui, Charmaine, Naomi.
Kapiti Touch would like to congratulate Fusion on 15 years involvement with our competition, looking forward to the streak continuing and us doing this in another 5 years to celebrate 20 years.
Fusion went 2/2 on the first night of the second round last friday, so currently lead the Niu Stokes Cup for Division 1. Could this be the fairytale story in their 15th year? we look forward to watching the season unfold.
Touch..... What a game.
