NZCT shines a light on Feilding United AFC!

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded a $44,556 NZCT grant to Feilding United AFC to support new lighting, playing jerseys and First Aid upgrades, helping improve safety and support growing participation at the club.

Feilding United AFC is the only community-focused football club in Feilding and continues to see strong growth across both junior and senior teams. Upgrading the club’s lighting will allow better use of field space during winter evenings, enabling more teams to train safely and effectively.

Club Secretary Rebecca Holland says, “Upgrading our lighting will allow us to maximise field space during training evenings, enabling more teams to train effectively and safely.”

The new lighting system will ease pressure on training space and improve safety during darker winter months and with membership growing and an additional senior team being fielded, the club also needed to replace ageing playing kit and upgrade First Aid equipment for players, coaches, and supporters.

Lani Brown, women’s social team player, says, “The new lighting is going to make training so much safer and better for our women’s teams, making the most of every session, especially during the darker winter evenings.”

Ryan Funnell, junior player, says, “I really love playing with the new balls we got.”

Alex Willis, Masters player and committee member, says, “It will be amazing when we have more space to train due to the new lights.”

NZCT General Manager of Grants, Marketing and Communications Ben Hodges says,

“Clubs like this are at the heart of their communities, providing opportunities for people of all ages to get involved. The lighting will help extend playable surfaces after dark. NZCT can fund this community good thanks to the fundraising partnerships we share with the Feilding Hotel, Empire Hotel and Farmer’s Son via their host responsible gaming lounges.”