Laura Nagel: Boot drive hugely rewarding

Sport Hawke's Bay's marketing and communications adviser Laura Nagel is teaming up with Hawke's Bay Today for this year's Bring yer Boots campaign. Photo / File

Sport Hawke's Bay's Laura Nagel says the Bring yer Boots campaign is about enabling kids to take part in different codes. She chats to Mark Story.

What sort of reception has Sport HB received in previous years from recipients of the boots?
We've had so much positive feedback, it's been awesome. Many kids have been surprised that they've been able to keep the boots and take them home. We've also received many emails from parents expressing their gratitude about the cause and how it's made their children's day. We believe that it takes a fair bit of pressure off some parents who want their children to take part in sport but struggle with the financial side of things.

What's the most rewarding aspect of the campaign?
Last year I had the opportunity to go and give some boots to kids at Richmond School with another Sport Hawke's Bay staff member. It was great to see them so excited to try on what we had bought, especially some of the girls with new rugby boots. I remember one of the kids mentioning that they finally had a pair that actually fit them now. That's definitely a huge plus for us.

Is the expense of boots one of the biggest hurdles to getting kids on sports fields/courts in winter?
Sports equipment for some sports can be quite a hefty cost. And if you think about the rate at which kids grow, many can't just use the same pair of boots or shoes for multiple seasons. So yes, it is a large expense and changes from sport to sport.

How far afield do you disperse the donated boots?
Last year we donated some of the boots to a school up in Wairoa so it can go quite far. This year we'll look to do the same and most definitely incorporate Central Hawke's Bay schools where we can too.

What does the research show about kids who play sport – compared with those who don't?
There's so much research out there now about the importance of being active for anyone, not just kids. However, kids who are given the opportunity to be involved in sport when they are young goes a long way. Building fundamental skills at an early age not only helps these children get better at a range of sports but also helps build confidence for years to come. One of the biggest reasons for non-participation in high school is that students think they can't play well enough or don't have the confidence to try something new.