‘Local legend’ joins Touch Hall of Fame
A touch rugby “local legend” has been inducted into a prestigious international hall of fame for his sport – just the fourth Kiwi to receive the honour.
Wellington’s George Jahnke, 50, was inducted into the Federation of International Touch Hall of Fame in July, during the Touch World Cup held in Nottingham, England, this year. He works for Touch New Zealand as a community coaching manager.
Jahnke (Ngati Tūwharetoa, Ngati Porou) made his debut for New Zealand 30 years ago, playing in eight World Cups between 1995 and 2024 and winning four gold medals and four silver medals.
He was also a member of team that made history in 1999, as the first New Zealand open team to win a World Cup title.
The win was still a career highlight. “New Zealand had never won a world title at that stage in the open division, and we were fortunate enough to be the first,” he said.
Jahnke attended his 8th World Cup in Nottingham, when he was surprised by the hall of fame award at the opening ceremony, alongside Peter Walters, from Auckland.
“I had no idea it was coming,” he said. “So, to share that with all my New Zealand team-mates who were crowding around and jumping on top of me was a special moment.”
There are now four Kiwis in the hall of fame – Jahnke, Walters, Sharlene Bannister-Plumridge
and Kopae Irihei.
Jahnke said he tended to shy away from moments in the spotlight, but acknowledged that, as people got older, they received fewer opportunity to recognise their achievements.
“So, in that mindset, it was a huge moment for me. It was quite emotional to reflect on all the people who have helped me.”
Touch Rugby had been his life, he said, with his role as coaching manager being a way to pay back all the people who supported him in his sport.
He said he would never forget what his coaches did for him. “They believed in me, and they got me playing touch when I could have been out getting into trouble. That fostered a lifelong love for touch.”
While he had a few knee injuries through his career, Jahnke said the support of ACC had helped keep him on the field, alongside the TouchFit 360 injury prevention programme.
Jahnke has played 96 games for his country. He said he was hoping to win one more world cup and might get the opportunity when New Zealand hosts the next Touch World Cup in 2028.