Porirua City Association Football Club has received an $8,455 grant from New Zealand Community Trust to support its junior football programme.
The funding will be used for new uniforms, footballs and first aid kits.
The club says the grant will support a junior programme that regularly has more than 100 children taking part, while helping reduce costs for families.
Club treasurer Tom Millar said the funding would ease pressure on parents registering children to play.
“This funding will help ease a significant financial burden for parents registering their children to play,” Tom said.
“Being able to provide this gear means we can strengthen community engagement and give more children the chance to play in a welcoming, community-orientated club.”
PCAFC junior convenor Matthew Boyadjian said the club was grateful for NZCT’s support.
“Porirua City AFC would like to extend our sincere thanks to NZCT for their generous support through this year’s grant,” Matthew said.
“This funding has enabled us to purchase new footballs for our junior programme, allowing us to pass last season’s balls on to players so they can practise at home, as well as supply first aid kits for every coach’s team bag and new playing kits for all our junior members.”
NZCT general manager of grants, marketing and communications Ben Hodges said the grant was about keeping sport accessible.
“For a lot of families, the cost of playing sport can really add up,” Ben said.
“This grant is about helping keep football accessible, so more young people can turn up, join their mates, and be part of good community fun.”
Ben said NZCT was able to fund community grants through fundraising partnerships with Legends Sports Bar, The Mariner and The Sandbar Mana via their responsible gaming lounges.
