Grant boosts Waima revival

Action in the wet against Ruatoria City . . . Dale Banks is on the ground, with Wiremu Raihania bridging and Waima teammates Saul Parata (headgear) and Troy Wharepapa supporting as Slade Tiopira (No.10) is ready to feed the ball out wide to cousins Haami (right) and Te Haeata Kururangi. Picture supplied

Waima Rugby Club’s revival has received a funding boost from the New Zealand Community Trust.

A $7173 grant from the trust for rugby training and essential equipment will help the club grow and develop.

Founded in 1920 and based at Tokomaru Bay, the club went into recess in August 2002.

It took 20 years and lots of work to get Waima rugby teams back in action on a regular basis.

Waima rejoined Ngati Porou East Coast rugby competitions in March last year, fielding men’s, women’s and junior teams.

Cyclones Gabrielle and Lola gave the community a double whammy, and Tokomaru Bay was isolated for much of the rugby season. Nevertheless, Waima still managed to pull together its men’s, women’s and junior teams.

Last year they had five JAB teams and three Tamariki League sides. This season the number of Tamariki League teams has risen to six.

Women’s and men’s rugby manager Te Ara Puketapu-Hunt says the NZCT grant will allow more opportunities for the community to be part of a club that was brought back to life through so much hard work.

“Providing our men’s, women’s, and children’s teams with the proper training equipment means opportunities to improve their skills.”

NZCT grants, marketing and communications general manager Ben Hodges says the revival of Waima Rugby Club is inspiring.

“No doubt the club will provide a real focal point for this amazing community to help put the trauma of the cyclones behind them.”