Eleven teams representing nine codes are among the inaugural successful applicants for assistance from the Hawke's Bay Longrun Junior Sports Fund.
The fund is a new initiative aimed at raising participation and excellence in Hawke's Bay sport and will result in $100,000 being invested in junior sport throughout the province during the next three years. Money can be used for uniforms, equipment or coach training.
Hawke's Bay Longruns' Chris Patheyjohns was swamped with 50 applications - far more than was budgeted for.
"It just shows you the passion and enthusiasm for sports in Hawke's Bay," he said.
"This will certainly help get more kids out and about and its encouraging to see the interest in improving coaching skills," said Sport Hawke's Bay's Kevin Murphy, who assisted with the selection process.
Applications can be made by any primary or intermediate age-group team (years one through eight) anywhere from Takapau to Wairoa. The fund works with two application periods for summer and winter codes.
Applications will re-open on February 5 and continue until March 8 for teams from winter codes.
The inaugural list of successful applicants was: Westshore Surf Lifesaving Club, Port Ahuriri School Gymnastics and Volleyball, Flaxmere College Touch, Taradale Cricket Club, Waipukurau Lawn Tennis, Softball Hawke's Bay, Heretaunga Intermediate Cricket, Puketapu School Canoe Polo, Burlington Bears Marching, Napier Old Boys Marist Cricket Team, Dodgers Softball.
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