Funding puts young sports stars on road to success
Young sports enthusiasts are the big winners after receiving a share of nearly $14,000 in funding to help them compete around the district.
Young sports enthusiasts are the big winners after receiving a share of nearly $14,000 in funding to help them compete around Northland.
The Far North’s three community boards approved 11 applications for financial help through the Summer Rural Travel Fund, which subsidises travel for rural team members aged between five and 18. The aim is to help remove the barrier of travel costs so participants can more easily compete in organised sports events.
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board granted funds to three groups. Bay of Islands College received $1900 towards attending competitions in touch rugby, volleyball, surfing, fast 5 netball, softball, swimming, rugby league, futsal, and athletics. Whangaroa College in Kāeo was also granted $1900 for transport to basketball, waka ama, and paddleboarding events. Russell Sports Club was granted $1000 for transport costs to competitions.
The Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board granted Hokianga Sports Club $1700 to cover transport costs for sports events outside the Hokianga area, and the Kaikohe Young Stars received $1000 for transport to their Sunday games.
The community board also granted $250 to Hōreke School for transport to athletics, swimming, and softball events; Te Kura o Ōmanaia was granted $750 towards competing in softball and touch; and Rāwene School received $800 so its students can compete in touch rugby games in Ōpononi and Kaikohe.
Te Hiku Community Board granted $2000 to Nga Hoe Horo Canoe Club Pawarenga, and $1000 to Kaitāia Gymnastics Club for transport to competitions, while Ahipara Boardriders received $1300 for transport to Whangarei to take part in competitions.
The travel fund covers travel to and from regular sporting events, including competitions and practices within Northland, with two funding rounds each year. The fund is part of the Active Aotearoa Programme and administered by the Far North’s three community boards.
Photo: The Rural Travel Fund helps youngsters travel to around the Far North to play sports.