Using touch rugby to reach out to the homeless

Moving between disciplines is becoming second nature to Constable Tony Tatupu of the Auckland City Community Action Team as he coaches the marginalised “homeless” to stay in touch with society through playing touch rugby.

Tony, a founding player of the Warriors Rugby League team way back in 1995, gave up that day job to join Police in 2003. He then went on to do several frontline roles until appointed to the CA Team midway through last year.

Senior Sergeant Junior Abraham and Constable Tony Tatupu line up next to some of the Lifewise Streeties Tony coaches. Photo: Noreen Hegarty

Tony says he became involved in working with homeless people as a result of his community policing role.

“Through talking with these people I became aware of the some of the issues they were facing.

Lifewise Client Support Worker Steve McLuckie, who is also the New Zealand Homeless soccer coach, gave me the idea of coaching rugby,” he says.

“I asked some of the homeless whether they would be interested in throwing around an oval ball as opposed to kicking a round ball, and used the opportunity to play the boys in blue as a carrot.

“Needless to say, word quickly spread and 15 members attended the first session. That was the beginning of a joint venture with Lifewise and the Salvation Army.”

Tony’s team of 19 – colloquially known as “the Lifewise Streeties” – recently fronted up at Victoria Park to play a police team, the “Central Five-O’s”, in their first official friendly game of touch.

Senior Sergeant Junior Abraham refereed the match and, along with the players, had to contend with regular downpours. These weren’t enough to dampen the spirits of the teams, who scored several tries each.

Tony believes the players have gained many benefits from the rugby coaching. “They have a sense of belonging through working together as a team,” he says.

“They are committed and dedicated, turning up to training in bad weather, and have showed good discipline following instructions.

Some have demonstrated natural leadership qualities by imparting their knowledge to the rest and taking the initiative to suggest further training sessions.”

Not only has the coaching helped the homeless, it has also helped police develop a working relationship with them, which so far has proved useful in finding some of the missing female juveniles living on the street.

“In the past they’ve often seen us as the enemy, either arresting or moving them on.

“This project has helped bridge the gap between police and the homeless and shows we are approachable and here to help,” says Tony.