NICK.BROOK@cluthaleader.co.nz
Hundreds of Clutha children will have help to participate in sports this year, with grants made to 15 schools and clubs across the district.
A record $32,000 has been allocated from the Sport New Zealand Rural Travel Fund in 2023 to help subsidise travel costs for youth teams aged 5-19 years.
‘‘The purpose of this fund is to make sport accessible to young people by making it affordable for everyone,’’ Clutha District Council’s (CDC) Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Allocation Committee Chairman, John Herbert said.
‘‘The Clutha District is a large, rural area which means sports teams often have to travel some distance for local competitions and this can be a barrier, especially for youth.
‘‘This fund helps get so many kids into sports locally and this year we’ve been particularly lucky as we’ve been able to allocate more funding than usual, which means we’re helping more kids.’’
The Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund has been offered in the Clutha district for 19 years.
The latest round of funding is made up of a $9500 contribution from CDC and $16,150 from Sport New Zealand.
For the first time, the Community Trust of Otago has also contributed to the Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund, committing $10,000 a year going forward.
Blue Mountain College netball $800
The Catlins Area School $1200
Clutha District Hockey $2000
Clutha United Swimming Club $1000
Clutha Valley Primary School $3660
Lawrence Area School $1500
Lawrence Netball Club $1000
Milton Primary School $2000
South Otago High School $9000
South Otago Sharks $1000
St Mary’s School $2000
Tapanui Tennis Club $340
Tokomairiro High School $3000
Waiwera South Primary School $1500
West Otago Secondary School Rugby $2000
