Hampstead Rugby Football Club has been announced as one of 10 rugby clubs to receive a $30,000 grant for Bunnings products, materials and labour support.
The annual Bunnings Rugby Assist nationwide grants recognise the service clubs provide to their local communities.
The 2024 recipients were chosen from 191 nominations. They include just two clubs from Canterbury, the other being the Oxford Rugby Football Club.
Hampstead RFC will put the grant towards a planned upgrade to its club kitchen. The upgrade is much needed as the club prepares to celebrate its centennial next year.
The club is a hub for surrounding schools and families, hosting meals for tamariki and wha ¯nau cooked by dedicated volunteers. Over the past decade, it has flourished and become one of the largest Pasifika and Ma ¯ori memberships within the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union.
Committee member Naneh Manoa said after 30 years of service, the kitchen was ready for a transformation.
‘‘Our kitchen holds a central role in our activities. The sharing of kai and coming together for communal meals has become the glue that binds us together,’’ Manoa said.
‘‘This grant will allow us to ensure that every person, young or old, who steps off the rugby field can leave with a warm meal in their puku. It’s yet another way for us to extend our manaakitanga, living our core values of fun, family, and respect,’’ she said.
‘‘Thanks to Bunnings for making this possible.’’
New Zealand Rugby general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster said Bunnings Rugby Assist was a chance to celebrate clubs and ensure they could continue the important work that they were doing.
Bunnings has now supported 50 rugby clubs nationwide through the grants, over the past four years. This year, the programme reached a significant milestone as more than $1 million has now been distributed to grassroot clubs across the country.
