Putting best foot forward

IN THEIR NEW UNIFORMS: TKKM o Whatatutu netballers display their new kit. They are back (from left): Kiriangi McLaren (coach), Sky Moa, Kaycee Tuhi and Tuaupiki Tuahine (coach). Front: Aariyah Onekawa, Manaia Butler-Haworth, Echo Eparaima and Awatea Stewart. Absent: Danielle Johnson and Courage Stewart. Picture by Michelle Fraser

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu netballers no longer have to wear their kit “from the 1970s” after receiving an ANZ Netball Grant for new uniforms.

ANZ gives netball clubs and teams throughout the country a chance to apply for a grant to help them advance their training and put their best foot forward on game day.

TKKM o Whatatutu principal and sports co-ordinator Pare Eparaima applied for the grant because the age of their former uniforms meant they were in desperate need of replacement and the small school of 47 pupils needed help to cover the costs for their three new netball teams.

“When we looked at the uniform costs, we realised it was a lot of money,” she said.

“This grant will take the pressure away from our whanau.

“We're only a small community and we have a lot of sports teams who also fundraise in our community. You're always fundraising with the same whanau.”

She said the junior netballers had been making do with their school uniforms and school shirts, so having their own uniforms would be “amazing”.

“The kids can't wait. It will really help them with their confidence and self-esteem.

“All the other teams have nice uniforms, even the young ones. To have an actual netball uniform will give the kids a sense of pride. If the kids are happy then it certainly makes the whanau happy, too.”

As sports co-ordinator, Eparaima takes the whole school for netball skills sessions for PE. But for her Year 1 and 2 netballers she said her goal was to teach them how to catch and pass so they could play and have fun with their friends.

“I feel like the dresses will help make the Year 1 and 2 kids want to keep playing.”

ANZ Head of Sponsorship Sue McGregor said they were proud to support netball at all levels.

“It's local schools such as Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whatatutu that introduce our youngsters to netball and nurture their love for the game into the passion we see in our elite players today,” she said.

“We hope this grant helps keep the passion for netball alive in the community for many seasons to come.”