17 February, 2016

Council grant scores goal for NZ Hockey

The first of Auckland Council’s new regional sports and recreation grants has been awarded to Hockey New Zealand, providing a $40,000 boost to its Auckland-wide development programme.

“Hockey is one of the most widely played sports in Auckland, involving more than 17,000 school children, 6,300 Summer hockey players of all ages and more than 10,000 Winter hockey players,” says Councillor Christine Fletcher, Chair of Council’s Parks, Recreation and Sport Committee, which oversees the grants.

“It’s the kind of healthy, outdoor activity we are trying to encourage with these grants and we are confident that Hockey New Zealand, in collaboration with North Harbour Hockey, Auckland Hockey and Counties-Manukau Hockey, is ideally placed to deliver a high standard of programmes for Aucklanders,” she says.

Hockey New Zealand Acting Chief Executive Ian Francis says his organisation is focused on making hockey a more accessible and enjoyable sport, delivering programmes in school, clubs and at association level for all ages.

“We are very pleased Auckland Council sees the value in supporting our regional development programme with this $40,000 grant towards our costs,” he says.

“The primary role of the regional development programme is to develop hockey participation and robust delivery structures including coaching, umpiring and volunteering that provide easy and affordable community-wide access to hockey.”

About community grants
Auckland Council recognises the vital role community groups and organisations play in helping Auckland become the world’s most liveable city.

Grants are one way that the council contributes to a thriving community sector, by supporting organisations to deliver a wide range of services, projects and events that benefit Aucklanders.

Council’s Community Grants Policy came into effect on 1 July 2015. This policy created a fairer, simpler and more accessible approach to accessing Council grants by introducing three main grant types:

Local grants, administered by local boards;
Regional grants for projects, activities or events that have a regional impact; and Multi-board grants, for projects spanning several board areas but not the whole of Auckland.

This grant was awarded under the Sports and Recreation Regional Grants policy.

ENDS

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