News > Poroporo Club Scores Kitchen Conversion …

Poroporo Club Scores Kitchen Conversion and New Kit with $26,990 NZCT Grant

As a newly formed junior rugby code from a small rural Māori club, the burden of financial support falls largely on parents, senior code members, volunteers, and the wider club whanau. Thanks to this generous funding from NZCT, we’ve been able to provide new uniforms for the 2025 season. This has been a huge relief not only for the JAB code as funding is always a big obstacle every season, but also on parents who are asked to support our teams through player fees. We have over sixty kids registered in our JAB and being able to provide each team with a new uniform is an amazing feeling!
Nikora Heitia, JAB President and Committee Member

New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has awarded the Poroporo Rugby & Sports Club in Whakatāne a grant of $26,990 for new kitchen equipment and new uniforms to support and outfit its growing number of sports teams.

Club Secretary Shakairah Moeke says “Our players can now take the field with pride in matching uniforms and look forward to vastly improved catering options after games.”

The much-needed kitchen equipment will help the club offer better services to members and the community while creating a more appealing venue for functions and events. Income from venue hire can then be reinvested back into the club and its teams. The funding for new uniforms also removes a significant financial barrier for many in the community, making it easier for players to participate in sport, stay active, and feel proud representing the club.

Nikora Heitia, JAB President and Committee Member, says “As a newly formed junior rugby code from a small rural Māori club, the burden of financial support falls largely on parents, senior code members, volunteers, and the wider club whanau. Thanks to this generous funding from NZCT, we’ve been able to provide new uniforms for the 2025 season. This has been a huge relief not only for the JAB code as funding is always a big obstacle every season, but also on parents who are asked to support our teams through player fees. We have over sixty kids registered in our JAB and being able to provide each team with a new uniform is an amazing feeling!“

Club Vice-President Jese Bush-Ngoungou adds “We’ve recently purchased pots, pans, and roasting trays, as well as upgrading our power switches - all of which will enable us to cater for our manuhiri and whanau, which have exceeded over three hundred members and manuhiri in the past. This involved hosting three senior rugby teams, seven darts teams, and three pool comps, as well as a seventieth birthday of one of our members. No reira he mihinui kia koutou mo to koutou tautoko ki te poroporo.”

NZCT’s GM of Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges adds, “We’re delighted to help this club with smart new uniforms and lifting its Manaakitanga. Grants like this wouldn’t be possible without the responsible gaming partnership we share with Cobb & Co. Whakatane.”