$1 million sports complex for school

Sir John Graham says sport can have a positive effect on the lives of pupils at Redoubt North Primary School in Manukau. Photo / Natalie Slade

A $1 million sports complex has been opened in Manukau's Redoubt North Primary School by educator and former All Black captain Sir John Graham.

Sir John said it was an honour to be invited.

"It was a thrill and a privilege to be here. I've been involved in schools for years. When I first came into it I couldn't believe the passion of the teachers and the enjoyment of the students," he said.

He hoped the students would benefit from the positive effect sport could have on their lives.

"They should see it as something that is important, it's an inspirational thing."

The sports complex took about two years to complete.

Sir John, MP George Hawkins, city councillor Arthur Anae, and other guests were welcomed with a haka and the national anthem, sung by the students.

The school is one of 23 to benefit from Sir John Walker's Find Your Field of Dreams Primary Sport initiative in the area.

This costs around $250,000 a year, and reaches about 3500 school pupils.

The organisation will help provide the school with resources for coaching and implementing sports programmes inside and outside school hours.

Additional funding for the sports hall came from community fundraising and the Ministry of Education.

Redoubt North principal Jane Milner said the complex would have an emphasis on character building.

"This will be an outstanding learning environment for the children of this community. Today is the culmination and celebration of nearly two years of hard work."