Celebration of good times - but not with a drink | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Celebration is the club with no beer - but a reason to party.

The church-based club reached new heights in premier rugby league by sharing the Tavendale Cup for the first round honours with Linwood this week.

League in the eastern suburbs will be in the spotlight again tomorrow when the Celebration Lions start the second round with a derby against Aranui at Wainoni Park.

Celebration coach Dean Te Hae is a newcomer to premiers - he stepped up after coaching his son's 12-years team to an undefeated season last year - but could hardly have begun better.

And Celebration are in only their fifth season in premiers, but have a few lessons for the big-name outfits.

They are semi-pro with the players contracted on win bonuses, and their careful summer recruitment is paying dividends.

Stand-off Luke Monk was lured from Linwood rugby and has partnered up effectively with halfback Pose Manu, a rugby recruit last year.

Monk is also a talented goalkicker, making the difference with 100% from his boot when the Lions and champions Kaiapoi both scored five tries last week.

Celebration also signed centre Faatali Sa - older brother of new Kiwi Setaimata Sa - and hooker Justin Lynch from Sydenham rugby.

Former Junior Kiwi second-rower Roger Tafua, back from a spell in Sydney league, has also made a difference, playing alongside his brother, prop John Tafua.

Manager Corey Watkinson, the team manager and Celebration's pastor, says the recruitment policy and Te Hae's ability to rally the team and provide team spirit have been important this year

And they took a serious approach to pre-season training, he said.

"We contracted a pro trainer who had had a stint working reserve grade with Wests Tigers, so it was league-specific training. It really helped their fitness."

Celebration may not have that edge in the second round, but the club is confident this year they can really figure.

"We'll certainly be top four contenders," said Watkinson. "And certainly high on our agenda is to represent the club in the grand final."

The Celebration success story does not begin and end with the premiers. Last weekend the 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and premier reserve teams also won, and the women's team is undefeated. These teams had been consistent all season, said Watkinson.

It's quite a transformation for a team that started as a church venture playing gang teams, then had three seasons playing under the umbrella of the Eastern Suburbs club. Now Celebration is one of the biggest clubs in Christchurch.

It's probably also the only dry club in any footie code.

"We believe that is part of the attraction of the club - the family environment."

The club has big plans to develop its school and community links, including a summer "30/30" programme - 30min of skills and drills and 30min of game play - for seven to 12-year-olds on 12 small-size pitches at the Queen Elizabeth II Park back fields next year.

Footnote: So how do they celebrate success at Celebration?

"Through food," says Watkinson.

"One way to a man's heart is through his stomach!"