ReSport in the Kaipara District

Social appeal creates sustainable outcome

by Amy Fifita

Two years after being established, the ReSport Charitable Trust is making its presence known in Kaipara by working with Dargaville Intermediate School.

Dargaville Intermediate School’s ill-equipped sports cupboard was an opportunity for ReSport ambassador Louis Anderson to connect Kaipara with the trust while visiting last year. Principal Terrianne Takulua collected the large sports gear order before Christmas last year.

“This is the first Kaipara school we have been involved in and we are working on introducing more, with a plan to engage the Kaipara District Council,” said project coordinator Sharon Gibson.

With the winter sports season coming, DIS is giving back to the appeal by joining the Champion a Good Cause programme and hosting a pātaka. Students and families can donate new or gently used sports gear to be redistributed to the community.

“It is important that children can participate in sport,recreation and play. It contributes to health and wellbeing, teaches youth about teamwork, connection and confidence, and gives them a social activitynavigating the way for positive impact.”

With 15 pātaka throughout Northland, the trust is making headwayto reduce barriers for children wanting to participate in sports. The causeseeks to help the environment by diverting goods and decommissioned textilesfrom landfills.

“This initiative is about reducing sports participation barrierswhile caring for the environment at the same time. We have made a significantimpact already with almost 7,000 units received, 4,500 shared and repurposedover 6,000 textiles decommissioned into insulation.”

For more information or to champion the cause, visit resport.co.nz.

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