NZCT Grant Boosts Whakatane Town AFC.

Whakatane Town AFC (WTAFC) has received a significant boost via a $19,782 grant from New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) towards new uniforms, nets and balls. The funding will directly benefit the club's junior players as well as the senior women's and men's teams, enabling the continuation of affordable football offerings for the whole community.

Jason Pullar, Whakatane Town AFC coach, highlighted the impact of the grant, "As a coach, it’s extremely difficult to train a team without the proper training equipment. Now we can better prepare teams for the up-coming season. With new equipment they all feel more professional and have a sense of belonging."

Chelsea Brown, a representative of Whakatane Town AFC, shared, ‘’New nets will ensure we can continue to run a community favourite event - our summer football league, a fun community event in November that attracts all members of the community and many new members." Ten-year-old Milan Lillas added, "It’s great news that we can replace the nets. The club really needed new ones!"

Kate Lillas, Junior Committee Member, emphasised the club's commitment to community service, saying, "WTAFC's status as a non-profit organisation emphasises its dedication to serving the community and this grant will create further opportunities for growth and development. Through the tireless efforts of the volunteer committee members and coaches, we strive to instil strong values of teamwork, participation, and the true spirit of positive sportsmanship in our junior players."

NZCT’s GM Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges added “Sport brings so many benefits to the community and is a big focus of NZCT’s grants programme. We’re delighted our responsible gaming fundraising partnership with Cobb and Co Whakatane has resulted in this fantastic grant to WTAFC which will benefit hundreds of people."