Nelson RFC get new kit and will enhance their Women's programme

Nelson Marist Club in green, Kahurangi club in black - All photos courtesy of Nelson RFC

Members of the Nelson Rugby Football Club are looking forward to kitting out in new playing uniforms after receiving a grant of $25,030 from the NZCT. The funds will also help to fund salaries for a Women’s Rugby Director and Club Champion in order to enhance their women’s programme.

Director of Rugby Gary Stevens says, ”A decline in teenage participation in both individual team sports is a trend dating back many years. Though success through our many elite individuals and team female athletes has re-engaged some interest in sports and outdoor activity, the feel regarding engagement is still low from a community point of view.”

“Since rugby is our major sport both in terms of participation and internationally, we have a perfect opportunity to assist in arresting the decline in sport participation, especially in relation to our young women. While many opportunities exist for young men to engage in both amateur sports and as a professional pathway, they are limited for our young women.”

“The NZCT funding will give us much needed support to launch the program with sufficient resources to engage girls and young women from 14-24 years old. The participants will be new to sports and re-engaging in the sport after leaving at a young age. The participants will be from all ethnic backgrounds and communities where our program is generally not offered.

“The long-term outcome for this proposal is to create a positive and enjoyable opportunity for players and non-players to increase participation at secondary school and club sport for young men and women. This project will also serve as a vehicle to further engage our community in sport as we develop a modular program that clubs from all sports and backgrounds can use to engage youth in their areas whether local or nationally.”

“We also aim to provide an enjoyable, encouraging, and risk-free environment for individuals to build confidence in sports environments and develop a model that could be used across all codes of sport for engagement of young girls and boys.”

Founded in 1868, Nelson Rugby Football Club is the oldest rugby club in New Zealand with the first game ever played between Nelson and Nelson College at the Botanical Reserve in 1870. Centrally based at the heart of Trafalgar Park, it is committed to promoting the development of rugby for everyone throughout the Tasman region and beyond.

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