A source of welcome relief is now in hand for sports clubs across Canterbury and the West Coast, with over $700K in funding applications approved over the course of only a fortnight for 42 Regional Sporting Organisations and nearly 150 local clubs.

“The future of community sport is in the hands of those who have taken initiative to follow the application process, and meet the criteria for Sport New Zealand’s Community Resilience Fund,” says Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon.

“At the grass roots, we applaud the sports and club administrators, many of whom are volunteers, who have made a significant effort to apply for funding. Over the past fortnight alone, our team at Sport Canterbury has been responsible for administering over $700K of funding across the region.”

Amanda Everett is the Operations Manager for Hockey South Canterbury Association (HSCA). Through Sport NZ’s Community Resilience Fund, she has accessed short-term relief that will keep the sport afloat and able to deliver quality experiences for the community this winter.

The fixed costs for HSCA relating to insurance, turf grooming and financial audit will be covered.

“That was a huge relief to know that we could meet those costs and have them covered. It will help us significantly as we are looking at a big deficit for the year.”

The Association has a simple goal for the months ahead: “To make sport enjoyable and stress free for the community.”

Their innovation in creating a simple format for juniors this winter – a 10-week non-competitive tournament in Term 3 - is about participation – and it’s equally about the meaning of sport for families’ emotional wellbeing.

“A lot of hockey players are hockey families,” Everett points out, with parents doubling as coaches, officials and administrators. “We want sport this winter to be manageable and stress-free. It’s about getting the kids out there and enjoying the sport with their friends.”

Whether playing or spectating, she emphasises the role hockey, and all codes, can play in providing a sense of belonging and connection.

“A lot of time is spent on the sidelines of sports. There’s a lot of fun and wellbeing on and off the field as well."

Follow Sport Canterbury - South Canterbury on facebook for updates - https://www.facebook.com/sportcanterburysouthcanterbury/ 

For more information on Sport New Zealand's Community Resilience Fund visit - https://www.sportcanterbury.org.nz/Sport-NZ-Community-Resilience-Fund-1