Ignite Sport gearing up for national community awards

Youth development trust Ignite Sport will be representing Wellington next weekend (this weekend) at the Trustpower National Community Awards.

The awards, at Invercargill on 22 March, follows Ignite Sport’s Supreme Award win at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards last October.

Coordinator Kevin Goldsbury says it is a real honour to represent the many charities that make a difference in the Wellington Region. “We are looking forward to telling everyone about our work with young people and also learning from all the other charities participating.” Kevin says the Wellington award recognised the work Ignite Sport does with young people, especially those in low-decile schools who find education a challenge.

The Lower Hutt-based charity has been operating in several communities in the region since 2007. Programmes use sport and recreation to connect with and inspire young people. They teach important life skills such as goal setting, barriers to success, positive life choices, team work, the difference between character and reputation, and leadership.

One of Ignite’s success stories focuses on a group of Porirua College students who in Year 10 were facing a challenge to stay at school. Four years later the group graduated from Year 13 having improved their academic performance and with many excelling in sport and leadership.

The organisation also helps school sports through its Sports Serve project – where volunteers are found, trained and supported to coach or manage sports teams. “No longer is it a given that schools can resource their teams. This is where we can help,” says Kevin. In addition, Ignite runs events which inspire recreation and a positive sports culture, and helps at many community fixtures throughout the region.

Ignite Sport’s long term goal is to become a national organisation. Already this year Ignite Sport has been inundated with requests for school and community programmes both in the region but also from Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and Hamilton.

Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace and his wife Linda Goss-Wallace will be accompanying Kevin and Andrea Bolton from Ignite Sport, to the awards in Invercargill.

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