Community
Bunnings Rugby Assist 2023 recipients announced
16 August 2023Ten rugby clubs from throughout Aotearoa have been named as the latest recipients of Bunnings Rugby Assist and are set to receive $30,000 to put towards upgrading their facilities to be even more welcoming for their community.
This year, 164 clubs applied for Bunnings Rugby Assist, a record number that represents 4 out of every 10 rugby clubs across the country. With the help of their local Bunnings team, the winners will be renovating their clubrooms, enabling them to welcome in and cater to more people in their local communities.
The 10 successful clubs will receive an equal share of $300,000 worth of Bunnings products and materials and trade support, to help with improving their facilities. They will also be supported by their local Bunnings team to help them complete their upgrades.
Whangamatā Rugby Club in Thames Valley is one of the 10 clubs selected to receive a grant and plan to upgrade their clubroom facilities to become warmer and more accessible for the club’s family members, old boys, and women’s players.
Club Vice President, Kaitlin Russell, submitted the club’s application and is thrilled with the news. “It means so much to our club to be selected. Our club has been an integral part of the Whangamatā community since 1963.
“As our town has grown, so have registrations. Over 400 people make up the rugby family at our clubrooms each Saturday. Being able to renovate our clubrooms means we can address all the new challenges you face when your club grows, from changing our bathrooms to be unisex, fixing ceiling leaks, installing more heating, and building accessible ramps so our mums can safely move their prams.” said Russell.
New Zealand Rugby General Manager of Community Rugby, Steve Lancaster, is excited to see how the funding will benefit the clubs and their local communities.
“We were blown away by the level of interest this year and we thank all the clubs who entered for their effort they put into their applications. I look forward to seeing the direct impact the Bunnings Rugby Assist Fund will have on our rugby clubs. By improving their facilities, it will promote a safer and welcoming environment for the local communities to enjoy.” says Lancaster.
New Zealand Rugby Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Judy O'Brien, says, “The aspirations of our hard- working clubs across the country are enabled by this grant. We know that there’s a lot of great mahi being done, and more to do, but with the support of Bunnings we can help some of our communities reach their goals.”
Country Manager of Bunnings New Zealand, Melissa Haines, says, “This year we had 164 applications, a record number for Bunnings Rugby Assist, demonstrating the desire from clubs to provide for their local communities. We’d like to thank everyone who nominated their club - your dedication to grassroots rugby makes the game possible for us all.
“Our local teams cannot wait to work alongside the 10 selected clubs to support them with their projects,” concludes Haines.
Bunnings Rugby Assist ambassador and rugby legend, Ian Jones, says, “I’m excited to see 10 more clubs get a refresh to better serve their community and the grassroots game. I can’t wait to lend a hand alongside the Bunnings team and club members in the months ahead”.
Rugby clubs who missed out in 2023 will have another chance to apply for Bunnings Rugby Assist in 2024 with the application process to be announced in due course.
Clubs selected to receive $30,000 worth of Bunnings products and materials.
Moerewa Rugby Football Sports Club Inc (Northland)
Massey Rugby Football Club (North Harbour)
Bombay Rugby Football Club (Counties Manukau)
Whangamatā Rugby and Sports Club (Thames Valley)
Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club (Hawke's Bay)
Wairarapa Wāhine Toa (Wairarapa-Bush)
Waimea Old Boys Rugby Club (Tasman)
Timaru Old Boys Rugby (South Canterbury)
Taieri Rugby Football Club Inc (Otago)
Bluff Rugby Club (Southland)
Bunnings Rugby Assist is part of New Zealand Rugby and Bunnings Warehouse three-year sponsorship of domestic competitions and support for community rugby across the country. Bunnings Warehouse is the primary partner and naming rights sponsor of the Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship (NPC), Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) presented by Bunnings Warehouse, Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship and Super Rugby Under 20s Championship presented by Bunnings.
For more information please visit: Bunnings Rugby Assist - Bunnings New Zealand
