Team Outlaws were crowned the champions at the 2024 Cook Islands Beach Games Touch Rugby competition held at the Nikao Beach Courts.

The Beach Touch competition ended on Tuesday with Puna Hiro and Monica Wichman’s team, Outlaws winning first place.

Are Tanutanu finished in second place followed by the Team I Know in third.

Cook Islands Touch Association president Julieanne (Julz) Westrupp said they witnessed two days of great Beach Touch competition.

Eight teams registered and took part in the competition and a lot of flair and skill was displayed by both men and women’s teams, Westrupp said. 

Are Tanutanu managed second place in the Cook Islands Beach Games touch rugby event this week. Pictured is their match against CISNOC team. 24011041 / 24011042 / 24011043 / 24011044 / 24011045

She said teams that stood were Outlaws, Are Tanutanu led by Vernon Horn and Vou Williams, Team I Know led by Viiga Mataroa and Team Mavericks led by Noel Mani. 

Outlaws beat Are Tanutanu in the final and the Team I Know defeated Mavericks for third placing. 

Westrupp said the other four teams that also gave the event “fun and excitement” were Nukz Power led by Rima Browne, Lolly Scramble led by Danni Tixier, Brew Crew led by “Mr Not Safe” and the CISNOC team spearheaded by Keziah Lewis. 

Westrupp would like to thank the crew at CISNOC for a well organised two-day event. 

She would also like to thank the team leaders that made time to register teams to make the event possible. 

Meanwhile, the 2024 touch rugby season starts on January 29.

Westrupp said the season would serve as a good opportunity for the island teams to start looking for players for the upcoming Cook Islands Games. 

Should you be interested in putting in a team, you can give her a call on mobile +682 55055 or Rima Browne on mobile +682 57605.

“Playing touch is a good way to enhance ball skills especially if you see a future for yourself in rugby union or rugby league. It portrays the fundamentals of catch and pass, draw and pass. And doing it all at pace,” she said.

Westrupp added that 2024 looks promising for the association and they look forward to new players and “definitely still the old to come and play”.

Meanwhile, at the Beach Games yesterday, the Beach Basketball competition started with six women’s teams and eight men’s at the indoor sports arena. Beach football kicks off tomorrow, Friday January 12 at the Nikao Beach Courts.