Getting grubby for a good cause: Inaugural Tauranga Boys' College mud challenge fundraiser a 'magic' day

Kim Lawrence, Shannon Johnson and Kirsty Davison compete in the inaugural Tauranga Boys' College Mud Challenge. Photo/George Novak

Some 320 people spent a sunny Sunday getting grubby for a good cause — to ensure kids get the chance to play sport.

They were willing participants in the inaugural Tauranga Boys' College Mud Challenge at Pahoia Domain yesterday, held to raise money for the school's rugby programme.

The field of mostly kids sloshed their way through muddy obstacle courses that included a cargo net crawl and a slip-and-slide in and around the tidal estuary. Rodger McBrydie, the teacher in charge of the college's rugby programme and one of the event's organisers, said it was a "magic" day.

"Without exception, everyone had a big smile on their face."

The event was a fundraiser for the college's newly-established rugby hardship fund, which aimed to subsidise or pay in full rugby related costs for students.

He said families sometimes struggled with the costs involved in the sport, especially at the inter-school competition level.

"We don't want cost to be a barrier.

"There is so much good stuff kids can get out of playing sport."

The fundraising total was still being tallied last night but the good turnout had McBrydie hoping the mud challenge could happen again next year.

"Hopefully it will become an annual event."