Media Release

Release date:
Friday, 22 October 2010

Fitzherbert Street, Gisborne, New Zealand. www.gdc.govt.nz

Funding applications wanted for rural sports teams

Getting involved in regular sporting competitions is always a challenge for people living in rural communities. Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) can help with the costs of travelling. Those who represent a rural sporting team competing in a local competition need to get their pens out now. Applications are invited from all rural sports teams and groups for funding from SPARC’s Rural Travel Fund. The fund is administered by Gisborne District Council and was developed in response to concerns about the lack of participation in sport by young people living in rural communities. Young people aged between 5-19 years who participate in school or club sports teams outside of school hours, are the focus.

Applications are considered by a local allocations committee made up of Council staff and a Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti representative who have an understanding of the challenges rural sports teams face.

“Usually we get about 10 - 20 applications each round. Unfortunately in the past several worthy teams have missed out on funding because of incorrectly completed applications,” says Council’s funding administrator Ngarimu Simpkins. “It is important for teams to note that the fund is only for travel to local competitions. Funding for travel to training or out of district competitions does not qualify. We don’t want teams to miss out. We are holding a series of workshops to go over the details of what needs to be put in applications and what should be left out.”

The workshops will be held:

·         6 - 7.30pm, Wednesday 3 November - Rerekohu School, Te Araroa

·         5.30 – 7pm, Tuesday 9 November – Tokomaru Bay YMCA

·         6 – 7.30pm, Thursday 11 November – Ngatapa Rugby Club Patutahi

One successful applicant has been Hatea-A-Rangi Primary School in Tokomaru Bay. This year they received funding to compete in the Gisborne junior rugby league, basketball and three divisions of the local netball competitions. “Without this funding the 40 young people involved would struggle to get any competition in these sports,” says Hatea-A-Rangi Primary School sports co-ordinator Ken Eruera. “We have received help from SPARC for the last three years now and it has made a big difference to the opportunities open to our students. Before the SPARC funding it was very hard to access competitions. The responsibility fell back on parents many who couldn’t afford to contribute consistently.”

Applications for the summer travel fund open on Monday 1 November and close on Friday 3 December 2010. Applications for the winter travel fund open in March. Application forms are available at the workshops, from Council Customer services in Te Puia Springs and Fitzherbert Street or from Council’s website .

ENDS 

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