Posted on 07 January 2020
Increasing participation and enjoyment in hockey, football, basketball and cricket for school children in the Buller District from Karamea to Reefton.
Buller Sports Alliance is a newly incorporated society that aims to increase participation and enjoyment of four sports - hockey, football, basketball and cricket – for school children in the Buller District from Karamea to Reefton.
The support of NBS, Electro Services, Sport Tasman and Buller District Council through MSD has helped employ a sports development officer for the Alliance, who delivers programmes to all schools in the district, and gets involved with club activities. The officer also provides Kiwisport programmes for Sport Tasman and tailored school holiday programmes.
The Alliance aims to improve children’s health, increasing socialisation and get kids outdoors having fun.
Kevin Scanlon, Buller Sports Alliance chairman, says NBS’ support has been fantastic.
“They were very easy to approach and keen to be involved from the outset. Their support allows us to continue to employ a development officer to deliver a programme that is achieving real success in the community,” he says.
“We got up and running just a few months ago so we’re a relatively new body. The role is unique and being watched nationally to see how it works here on the West Coast. The initial figures for increases in participation at club junior level show it is a worthwhile venture. From 98 to 150 participants this year for soccer, and from 72 to 110 participants for hockey.
“Sharing resource and ideas between the different sports has already seen a large improvement in cooperation. We’re looking forward to seeing more benefits as the programme becomes embedded in the community, thanks to our supporters like NBS. Our sports development officer is also doing coach mentoring training so he can help local volunteers coach the kids,” he adds.
Howie Timms, Commercial Manager at NBS, says the Buller Sports Alliance is an excellent example of West Coasters joining together to maximise resources to benefit their Community. “The people behind this new entity are well known to us and our local staff. It was an easy decision for us to provide sponsorship,” he says.