Our 5-minute update on Hoa Motuhake Sports Trust October 2024

New Programme Manager

This month we have welcomed Anneke van Heyningen, our new Programme Manager. Anneke joins the team after previously being a mentor herself and has great knowledge of our programme and the work we are trying to achieve. We are very excited to have Anneke onboard as she shares a passion for changing young lives through sport. We look forward to having her in the team.

Athletics Day

We recently held our inaugural athletics day in partnership with Phoenix Athletics Club which was located at Rannerdale Fields. We could not have picked a more perfect day for our tamariki to try out various athletic events. This included the likes of shot-put, discuss, high-jump, long-jump, and some sprints.

We cannot thank the Phoenix Athletics community enough for their volunteering on the day. The support, guidance, and expertise in teaching the kids the right techniques made the day unforgettable. A massive shoutout to Judy Macdonald and the Phoenix Athletics Club for helping organise and facilitate this event. We look forward to running this again next year!

Game Day stats

Since our last update:

5006: Total sport sessions.

79: Tamariki supported to date

46: Playing community sport.

76: Group sessions to date. Most recently including Bouldering, Mau rākau, Touch rugby, and Table tennis.

Exciting events

We have been very fortunate to receive tickets to a range of past and upcoming sporting events. We were in the house for the Canterbury Rams final regular season game against the Franklin Bulls. This was a very exciting contest with some high-quality basketball on display!

Sport New Zealand also hosted a Fun Festival, where Tall Blacks and FAST5 players led a skills session with our tamariki, complete with prizes. The event was run by NETFIT, who kindly provided merchandise for our tamariki afterward. Both teams generously offered our tamariki tickets to their upcoming games, including the FAST5 weekend tournament and a Tall Blacks international game in November.

Last week, New Zealand Rugby League gifted our Trust tickets to both the Kiwi Ferns vs Jillaroos and Kiwis vs Australia Rugby League Pacific Championship at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Our tamariki had an amazing time, creating lasting memories as they watched their sports heroes in action.

A big thank you to all the local and national teams for your kindness and generosity in helping our tamariki experience cool events!

Sponsor a Child campaign

Our sponsor a child campaign allows you to make a direct, tangible impact on a child’s life. For just $20 a week, you can help a disadvantaged child experience the holistic benefits of sports participation. Your sponsorship covers essential costs, including equipment, registrations fees, and transportation, ensuring that every child has an opportunity to join in, learn new skills, and build lifelong friendships. By sponsoring a child, you’re not only supporting their physical development but also helping to foster confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

Sponsor a child today!

Celebrating future champions

One of our success stories is a young girl who joined our Trust at age seven after being moved around several different homes. She was initially mentored by Abby, who introduced her to dance, which she immediately fell in love with. Now, this young girl has been practicing Kung Fu for over two years and has earned her orange belt.

Even though her official mentoring year ended, we have continued to support her with regular mentors who take her to her Kung Fu sessions. Bronte, one of her mentors, has been with her for over a year and has built a very special bond with her. This girl’s journey is a true testament to her resilience and the incredible progress she has made, both in skills and personal growth. We are immensely proud of her achievements and look forward to continue supporting her.

Photo Gallery

Ways to support our mission

Mentoring: Join us as a full-time mentor and help guide a child through their sports journey. Mentors meet with tamariki regularly to support their personal growth, build confidence, and encourage teamwork.

Backup mentoring: Can’t commit to regular mentoring? Consider being a backup mentor! When a child’s family or mentor is unable to provide transportation, we call on our backup mentors to step in and ensure no child misses out on their sports activities. More about being a mentor.

Spreading the word: Help us reach more people by sharing our mission with your friends, family, and on social media. The more people who know about our work, the more support we can generate to continue making a difference. Please follow and share our socials. Facebook Instagram

Thank you

Thank you to everyone involved with the trust over the past few months - mentors, clubs, donors, and supporters. Your support is invaluable and continues to help us provide life-changing opportunities for our tamariki!

QuickFeet October 2024