Meet The Winners

Morrinsville Association Football Club (MAFC) fosters inclusion and supports all in the district to enjoy football. With over 400 junior and senior players projected next year, MAFC offers summer walking football for the physically impaired and over 50s. The club, run entirely by volunteers, has a hardship fund to ensure accessibility for all. They keep fees affordable and offer a 'boot library' for families in need.  

A grant of $2,093 in gear would ensure inclusiveness, opportunity, and growth for the club. 

Katikati is a culturally diverse community with many low-income families who benefit from accessible sports. Badminton has seen significant growth at Katkati College, thanks to their math teacher, Cheryl Chye, who has taken the lead. Every Friday, year-round, Cheryl trains a gym full of students in badminton. Additional rackets and shuttles would greatly support her efforts to get more students involved in the sport. 

This grant of $1,631 will fund essential equipment, providing more rackets and quality shuttles, thereby increasing the number of college and primary students trained weekly in badminton. 

Maungatūroto JMB Rugby Club is a small, rural club that continues to grow every year. The club is a welcoming and safe space for kids to learn rugby, build confidence, make friends, and grow both on and off the field. It promotes and encourages physical activity, helping kids stay active while having fun and developing important skills.  

A grant of $5,159 in gear will provide tamariki with quality training gear and safety equipment, ensuring the correct tools to continue teaching without compromise. 

The ChildRen First Project (CR1 Project) is a free community football initiative inspired by Christiano Ronaldo's life. It aims to make football accessible to families with financial constraints by addressing barriers like fees, equipment costs, and transportation. The project offers free transportation and food, with 40 children currently participating. They collaborate with Love Soup food charity and the Rotorua Community Clothing Exchange, hosting community days with over 500 attendees each.

A grant of $9,855 for sports gear will make football more accessible to the Rotorua and Ngongotaha communities, benefiting junior players and supporting community projects. This initiative aims to reduce youth crime by providing opportunities and fostering positive teamwork.

Western Suburbs Football Club has 1,500 members across all age groups and is affiliated with Capital Football. The 1st Team plays in the Central League and NZ National League. The club promotes inclusivity, welcoming members of all abilities, genders, and ethnicities. Located in the Porirua region, it supports the local community by providing opportunities for underprivileged players.  

A $2,730 grant towards gear will reduce the financial burden for players and families in a low-decile area, making football more accessible. 

The club has 75 members, including 8 committee members, and regularly hosts opposition teams during the club rugby and Heartland Championship seasons. After Cyclone Gabrielle, the community faced significant challenges but came together and survived. Despite limited financial support, the club remained open for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, providing a safe space for teams to learn and grow, especially in low-decile Gisborne.  

A $5,000 grant towards sports gear would encourage more locals to participate in sports and improve their well-being. 

Established in 1962, the club primarily focuses on softball. With the return of a softball competition to Whanganui, the club has expanded to two premier men's teams, one premier women's team, and several youth teams. Supporting a local U17 competition, the club has around 160 members.  

A grant of $1,030.89 will help purchase equipment and uniforms, relieving financial stress on parents and ensuring all players can participate without barriers, thus growing both the club and the sport. 

Saracens rugby club operates out of the Southbrook community sports club, which also hosts cricket, touch, netball, and Special Olympics. The club has a close relationship with the North Canterbury Sports Trust and runs a primary school sports program. With over 300 playing members, including 15 junior teams and 3 senior grade teams, the club's numbers are expected to grow as Rangiora township expands.  

A $5,000 grant will help keep registration fees low and provide necessary playing gear, making sports affordable for families. 

Bowls Dunedin, a non-profit governing body, oversees 28 clubs with approximately 1300 members. They plan to introduce lawn bowls to schools, enlisting current bowlers as volunteers. This program aims to engage students in a competitive, non-contact sport.  

A $3,500 grant towards bowls will introduce students to an affordable and competitive sport. Lawn bowls are inclusive, allowing players as young as 8 and as old as 98, including those with disabilities, to compete alongside able-bodied players in mixed-gender competitions. 

Hearts St Peter's club, known as Saints, was formed in 2015 from the merger of two clubs. It is a small, family-friendly club with approximately 80 players and a committee of 7. Players come from across town, mainly from Hornby, Avonhead, and Riccarton. In 2024, the club had 8 teams ranging from ages 13 to 44, spread across various grades.  

A $3,323 grant towards court hire would ease financial costs for players, who would only need to pay their subscriptions.