Kate has been a long-time supporter of the Sumner sporting community as a mother of two boys who have both played junior rugby and cricket, and who also currently play touch rugby at St Leonards. Last year her eldest, Archie, returned to wear the blue and black with the Sumner Colts, helping the team secure the Canterbury Metro Colts trophy. Together with her husband Neil – former Junior Club Captain, long-time junior coach, current Colts manager, and ever-willing helper – Kate has supported the club from the sidelines and behind the scenes for more than 15 years.

From helping set up the website and social media pages back in 2010 to organising major fundraisers such as Fight for Sumner (2015) and Strictly Sumner (2016), which alone raised $100,000 for the community, their combined efforts were recently recognised when “the Whithears” were awarded Sumner Rugby Clubperson of the Year.

In the Pavilion project, Kate is leading the return of Strictly Sumner as a flagship fundraising event. Building on the success of 2016, the aim is to raise even more funds this time around. She’s excited to put a team together and to see locals swap sidelines for the spotlight - and with Sumner’s fantastic community spirit, there will be no shortage of locals ready to foxtrot for the Pavilion.

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Rob is an award winning landscape architect with over 22 years experience in private practice. He has practiced in a number of highly respected design studios since starting his career in 2002 in Queenstown, gaining experience in both London and Sydney before returning to his home town of Christchurch in 2010.

Prior to forming Studio3 he was an Associate Principal at one of New Zealand’s leading design firms where he was responsible for looking after an extensive portfolio of work across the South Island including a number of post-earthquake anchor projects in Ōtautahi.

Rob is a regular at the LAZ at the Summer touch competition as a player and a coach, and both of his kids have played for Sumner Rugby Club.

Dynamic and results-driven, Nikki brings a passion for leading high-performing teams within fast-paced, positive environments. Known for thriving under pressure, she applies a strong work ethic,strategic thinking, and a solutions-focused mindset to every engagement – which means she’sperfectly suited to support our wonderful volunteers on this project!

Nott Architects is a small practice undertaking both small and large projects throughout New Zealand and Australia. The environments are as diverse as the projects; from coastal, rural, alpine to urban contexts; often in areas of outstanding natural landscapes. 

Charlie (BCom, BBSc, BArch(Hons), FNZIA, PDINZ ) regularly critiques and lectures for Architectural Studies at the Ara Institute.

Nott Architects has been recognised in multiple New Zealand Institute of Architects awards for their architecture, interiors, hospitality and sustainability both at a regional and national level.  

On a personal level, Charlie has had a long association with the Sumner Rugby Club. His son has played both cricket and rugby at Junior level and Charlie coached cricket with Andy Crump. Charlie is a Sumner local who is passionate about the Sumner brand.

Andrew is Christchurch born and raised, and has a passion for the local community and the wider rebuild of Christchurch. He graduated from Auckland University School of Architecture with first class honours in 2006.  

Andrew formed AW Architects in 2013 after 5 years with Christchurch practice MAP Architects. He has a wide range of experience through a diverse range of projects, including work in residential, hospitality and mixed use commercial. In these areas Andrew has honed his skills producing bespoke highly detailed solutions, along with a passion for getting the best results for commercial clients at the consultants table.

Andrew has been actively engaged in the Sumner Cricket Club as a junior cricket coach for the Sumner ‘Chargers’ from 2017 - 2023.

Ross and his family have been Sumner residents for over 30 years - they originally moved for the location but stayed for the awesome community vibe. His involvement in local sports kicked off with Sumner Rugby, where he coached both his boys' teams from 2001 to 2004.

Ross also coached his sons in cricket and started playing for Sumner Cricket himself in 2000, competing in the President's grade for 20 years until 2020. He joined the cricket club committee in 2003, taking on the Junior Convenor role from 2003 to 2008. Ross has remained on the committee ever since and stepped up to become President in 2018 (though he took a well-deserved sabbatical in 2023!).

As the cricket club's representative on the Sumner Sports Pavilion rebuild project, Ross says he is proud to be part of this awesome initiative and to see once again just how special the Sumner community really is.

Andy has called Sumner home for over 40 years and has been heavily involved in local sports for nearly three decades. It all started when he began coaching his sons' cricket teams from 1995-2005, then moved into rugby in 1996 when he coached their junior teams.

In 1998, Andy joined the Sumner Rugby committee and has worn many hats over the years - Junior Club Captain, Senior Club Captain, Secretary, President, and Club Delegate to Canterbury Rugby and Metro Rugby. His dedication was recognised with a Volunteering Recognition Award in 2009 and he became a Life Member of Sumner Rugby in 2011.

Andy has been running the hugely popular Sumner Touch Competition for 22 years and has represented the Rugby Club on the Sports Pavilion committee since 2012. He loves being part of Sumner's unique community and all the friendships that come with it. Andy is excited about the pavilion rebuild project and sees it as something that will benefit the whole community for years to come.

Liza has been a passionate sideline supporter of her three boys, who over the past 20 years, have played cricket, rugby, and touch at St Leonards. As a neighbour, she’s witnessed firsthand the countless, often unseen, volunteer hours that go into running club activities and is keen to give back to those who’ve gone before.

With a hands-on approach, Liza has held several community roles, including Chair of the Sumner Community Residents’ Association, committee member for the Bays Area Skate Project, and Sumner Hub Manager. Creating spaces and events that strengthen community is her passion. 

Professionally, Liza is a communications and marketing specialist. In this project, she’ll work with the team to engage the wider Bays Area, including local businesses, neighbours, residents’ associations and Community Board stakeholders to keep everyone in the loop and provide a platform for local voices to be heard.

Liza is excited that the rebuild is going to be fit for purpose and a welcoming home for many community groups. She’s committed to safeguarding the Laz for future generations.

Chelsea knows a thing or two about getting communities talking and making things happen. She's been helping organisations work through tricky situations for over 15 years through her business Resolve Communications, tackling everything from big infrastructure projects to grassroots campaigns.

She's got a soft spot for these pro bono projects that actually matter to real people. A few years back, Chelsea supported Redcliffs School in its campaign to keep the school open when the government wanted to shut it down - and it worked. She's also spent years running a nationwide campaign as a community ambassador for Bowel Cancer New Zealand. Her work has picked up several awards along the way, including the supreme award from the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand.

As Mt Pleasant residents, owners of Sumner's iconic Beach Bar, and parents of rugby-mad Georgie in the girls’ Lightning tackle team, Chelsea and her husband Shaun are really looking forward to welcoming this latest improvement to the Bays community.

As former Head Coach of the All Blacks, Scott Robertson brings world-class rugby credentials to his role as patron of the Sumner Sports Pavilion rebuild.

Scott's professional playing career spanned Bay of Plenty, Canterbury's Crusaders, and teams across Europe before he transitioned into coaching. He led the Crusaders to five consecutive Super Rugby titles and coached Canterbury to multiple NPC championships before taking on the ultimate role in New Zealand rugby.

Scott understands what great facilities can do for community sport, having seen firsthand how the right environment helps young players thrive.

With his own sons continuing the family tradition at Sumner, Scott remains deeply connected to grassroots rugby. His vision for the new pavilion is simple: create a space that will serve the community for the next 50 to 100 years, where champions grow and legacy is built.

Amy Carter is a born and bred Sumner local with over 30 years hands on experience at fundraising.  She cut her teeth at Taylors Mistake Surf Club as a teenager securing sponsorship for their junior programmes. Since then she has held leadership and governance roles in not for profits large and small both locally and nationally. She has developed the campaigns for, and helped raise, in excess of $75 million dollars for kiwi charities, including numerous capital campaigns.

Her dad played for Sumner Rugby Club and was part of the 1967 Colts team that won their division. Now, her youngest daughter, Isla, is a keen member of the junior rugby club, playing for both the Barracudas and the Lightning.

Amy has a life long relationship with St Leonards Square and the pavilion.  She learned to ride her bike on the hallowed grounds and has attended many games and post match celebrations as a spectator, as well as 21st's and other celebrations. For her the Laz is a place to remain connected with whānau and friends, and is chocka full of wonderful memories, something she hopes will also be the case for her kids and those that follow.

Marcus Langman is a Sumner-based planning consultant with over two decades of experience in resource management, policy development, and statutory planning. He advises councils, developers, and community groups on a wide range of projects, from district plan reviews and plan changes, to complex rezoning and consenting processes. 

With a strong background in urban growth management and policy, he specialises in balancing development opportunities with environmental and community needs, shaping high-quality planning outcomes across the South Island and beyond.

Trevor Hone has been a respected figure in the Christchurch building industry for more than two decades, earning national recognition in 2021 as winner of the Registered Master Builder's National Craftsmanship award.

A long-time supporter of Sumner sports, Trevor has coached junior rugby teams over eight seasons and proudly watched his three children grow up playing both cricket and rugby here. It was through these years on the sideline and in the clubhouse that he came to truly appreciate the role the Sumner Rugby and Cricket Club plays in weaving newcomers into the fabric of local life.

Trevor believes these clubs are more than sporting venues - they’re anchors of belonging, connection, and wellbeing. As part of the rebuild and fundraising committee, he’s bringing his skills and heart to ensure the club continues to thrive for generations to come. He’s passionate about making sure future players and families have the same opportunities his own family has cherished - on and off the field.