Meet The Winners

Let's celebrate the remarkable journeys of past & present Rebel Sport Grant recipients.
Find out how their grant helped them with essential club resources and helped to provide more people in their community with better access to participating in sport.

North Island Grants Winners South Island Grants Winners Past Grants Winners Apply For A Grant

Upper North Island

GRANTS RECIPENT

Ellerslie Eagles

The club will use the grant to support its new U14 girls’ team, its first in years. The goal is to grow interest in the sport among young girls. Funds will cover training gear, equipment, and help subsidize fees and uniform costs to ease financial pressure on families. The team has already begun training to build skills, confidence, and team spirit ahead of the season. The club hopes to remove barriers so all girls can participate and feel part of the team.

GRANTS RECIPENT

Te Ao Kita

Te Ao Kita is a reo Māori-led sports initiative empowering Māori youth in Tāmaki Makaurau through inclusive, skill-based sessions. Created by Māori parents post-COVID, it supports tamariki and rangatahi, many new to sport by building fitness, confidence, and connection. Grounded in kaupapa Māori values and delivered entirely in te reo, it fosters holistic development. The grant will help provide essential gear, especially boots, and fund uniforms and equipment so all rangatahi feel proud and supported in the kaupapa.

GRANTS RECIPENT

Thornton School

Thornton School is proud of its growing student participation in Netball and Rippa Rugby, which builds teamwork and leadership. Staff volunteer to coach and fundraise, but fees still fall on families. The grant will cover entry costs for five teams, especially in Years 7 and 8 where fees have risen. This support makes sport more accessible and ensures no student misses out due to cost.

GRANTS RECIPENT

Otahuhu Rover

Ōtāhuhu Rugby League Club, one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest grassroots clubs, has a proud legacy of developing top players. This grant will help ease financial hardship by covering uniform costs, a common barrier for tamariki living in poverty. By removing this obstacle, more young players can participate, grow, and thrive through sport, taking the field with pride regardless of their background.

Lower North Island

GRANTS RECIPENT

The Coast Rugby Football & Sports Club

The Coast Rugby Football & Sports Club has proudly served its rural communities for nearly 70 years. Despite recent challenges, its junior teams continue to thrive. This grant will provide essential equipment to support safe, effective training for players and coaches. For a small club with limited resources, this support is vital to player development and community engagement. Beyond performance, the new gear will boost pride and belonging, enriching the sporting experience for all involved

GRANTS RECIPENT

Mangorei School

Mangorei School blends rural traditions with city life, proudly embracing its motto, “The City School with a Country Heart.” With strong community involvement, students take part in a wide range of sports and cultural events. Caregivers and teachers work together to ensure all tamariki can participate. This grant will provide durable sports gear to boost confidence, support coaches, and foster a love of sport. Ensuring every student feels valued and equipped to thrive.

Upper South Island

GRANTS RECIPENT

Waitohi Rugby Football Club

Waitohi Rugby Football Club is a cornerstone of its small-town community, with around 90 young players across U6 to U14 teams. More than a club, it’s a supportive whānau where tamariki grow and thrive through rugby. The grant will fund essential gear such as balls, drink bottles, rippa belts, hit shields, shorts, and socks, enhancing training and play. This support strengthens the club’s commitment to accessibility, development, and community spirit.

GRANTS RECIPENT

Grey Valley Football Club

Grey Valley Football Club is a vital rural hub for sport and community, fielding one senior and five junior teams. With zero subs for juniors, the club ensures all children can play, regardless of their financial background. The grant will help fund new uniforms and ease travel costs for away games, which can take over two hours each way. This support strengthens inclusivity and helps the club continue offering meaningful sporting opportunities across its wide region.

Lower South Island

GRANTS RECIPENT

Central Southland Hockey

Central Southland Junior Hockey Club supports 123 players from 11 rural schools, despite travel times of up to two hours. Run by volunteers, the club keeps fees low and relies on fundraising for gear. This grant will fund new goalie kits, allowing more teams to play and supporting growing participation. In a region with limited facilities, this support is vital to ensuring all children can access sport and develop skills in a safe, inclusive environment.

GRANTS RECIPENT

Waimate Football Club

Waimate Football Club is a community cornerstone, offering football for all ages and promoting teamwork, discipline, and respect. With growing player numbers, the club urgently needs new footballs, as current ones are worn out. The grant will have an immediate impact, providing quality gear, encouraging participation, and supporting school programs and scholarships for underprivileged youth. It will also help attract more families, sponsors, and community support, strengthening the club’s reach and reputation.