1000 balls handed out to junior players through Balls 4 All initiative

'One for you and one for you and one for you . . . ': Junior rugby players each received a Gilbert ball from Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union, thanks to the sponsorship of Bayleys Gisborne. This year 1000 balls were handed out to all registered junior players through the Balls 4 All initiative. Picture by Liam Clayton

It was raining rugby balls at junior training sessions at Barry Park yesterday and every kid who attended headed home with one.

For the third year running, Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union has been able to provide a rugby ball to every registered junior club player, thanks to the ongoing sponsorship of Bayleys Gisborne.

“We're trying to remove as many barriers as possible for our young people to be active and get out and do the things they love with friends and whanau,” PBRFU chief executive Josh Willoughby said.

“Putting a ball in every young rugby player's hands means they have what they need to train and play a game. That's what the Bayleys Ball 4 All initiative does.”

“Simon Bousefield from Bayleys approached us a few years ago and wanted to do something to help young rugby players and the community.

“At the time, we were working with our clubs to help get registrations in early to provide certainty of teams and things like uniforms and coaching requirements.

“What better way to help clubs do this than providing a free ball to every kid who registered early. It wasn't long before we had 800 registered players and 800 balls out in the community,” Willoughby said.

“This year the numbers have grown to 1000 and include kids as young as two and three in the Little Wekas programme through to the under-13 grade.

“We are the only Heartland union able to provide such an initiative, thanks to Bayleys' support. These are Gilbert balls, too, so good quality and made to last.”