5M Touch organiser Nehemiah Gordon-Amoroa is creating a game for the Eastern Bay’s young people to show off their fancy footwork.

The game, played in a small 5-metre by 5m square, involves one player trying to out-step the other and is the perfect game to find the next up- and-coming Sevu Reece or Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, two of the best side steppers in New Zealand.

Gordon-Amoroa (Ngāi Tūhoe and  Ngāti Porou) runs a sports/fitness programmes at Tūhoe Hauora, while also chasing the dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

He has completed a four-year psychology degree and represented a few sports teams – NZ under-18 Barbarians 7s, North Harbour Rugby u18s, One NZ Warriors u21s and NSW Cup, Bay of Plenty Rugby development and NZ Māori Rugby league team.

He said it was a simple game that was fast and a lot of fun.

“It is a game played in a 5m x 5m square box where two contestants (one attacker and one defender) compete at trying to score the try and, vice versa, defend the try from being scored. This game includes only two people a game, which essentially isolates participants from getting any help from others.

Gordon-Amoroa said it was a good chance for some people to show off their fancy footwork or just give something new a crack.

“The game starts with the ball being placed 5m out from the try line in the centre of the box.

“Once the ball is placed and both players are ready, as soon as the defender touches the ball with their hand, the attacker can pick up the ball and start running toward the try line attempting to score a try, just like in touch.

“And yes, the defender is doing their best to make it back onside before making the touch. The tournament will be a knockout tournament with certain age groups.”

With Whakatāne being a touch-mad town, it made sense to bring the game here.

“The idea behind it was, because Whakatāne is known for producing a lot of quality touch players with fancy footwork and skills, why don’t we give them an opportunity to display those skills and create an event to do so.

“And for it to be more than just a normal game of touch; isolate players in a one-on-one situation and see who can pull off the best sidestep and defend their try line.

“Further to this, it is also an opportunity for our rural communities who house these upcoming stars to be involved in this tournament and hopefully many more to come.”

I want to bring the community and kids together to showcase their skills, meet new friends, gain confidence, and install belief into these rising stars.”

He said plenty of people had verbally expressed their interest in taking part and a few had already registered.

“However, from experience and running programmes in the past, we know that if there is a big turnout, many of our whānau will just turn up on the day without registering.

“But registrations will definitely help in terms of catering, organising matches and getting prizes for the winners of each category.”

If this youth event is well received, more are likely and Gordon-Amoroa may also consider adding an adult league, for which there would be plenty first-class local contenders.

He sees it a good event for players of touch, league or rugby to test their skills.

The event takes place on Tuesday, December 2, at Tāneatua Rugby Club (Rob Shaw Park), between 3.30pm and 5pm. There will be three age categories: 10-12 year old boys and girls; 13-15 year old boys and girls; and 16-18 year old boys and girls.

Alongside the event there will be a Blue Light sausage sizzle and free smoothies provided by Toka Tū.