The annual Kick for a Cause Rotorua event in March 2025 at the Ngongotahā Football Club. Photo / Grace Klava Photography
More than 50 local “prominent personalities” and “hometown heroes” will take to the football field in the name of a good cause this weekend.
The annual Kick for a Cause returns to Rotorua for its fourth year on Sunday from 12pm to 4pm at the Ngongotahā Football Club.
The all-star charity football event raises money for the Rotorua Salvation Army.
“We’re wanting to help stock their shelves up,” event organiser Chantelle Cobby told the Rotorua Daily Post.
Cobby said the Rotorua Salvation Army was a community mainstay that did important work.
“I think it’s got such a wide-reaching impact and so we’re just excited to ... use sport to enable them to continue all that they do here.”
She said Kick for a Cause had raised $46,000 in the past couple of years from events in Rotorua and Waikato “so we’re just looking to build upon that”.
Cobby said more than 50 players would play in the two matches – one men’s and one women’s.
Players were”prominent personalities within the local community” and “hometown heroes”.
They range from Olympians to school principals, a former semi-pro footballer to an explorer.
“They empty out their usual offices and boardrooms and classrooms and all the spaces that they normally occupy and instead come down to the football field and just have a fun, friendly but also competitive ... go at football.”
Cobby said the majority had never played before, so were “stepping out of their comfort zones” for the cause.
“We have some experienced local players that jump on the field and help them and kind of keep the ball moving in the right direction.”
Each player was sponsored by a generous local business, with “tons” on board to support the event.
Cobby said last year’s event was an awesome and community-minded day.
The street was “filled with cars” and the sidelines “packed out”.
A couple of players even “recruited family members” to play for a minute or two and help with the goalscoring.
Cobby said the event welcomed donations and organisers were looking for volunteers. Those interested could contact Kick for a Cause Rotorua on its Facebook page.
Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries manager Darnielle Hoods said Kick for a Cause was a powerful example of the community coming together “to support local whānau who are doing it tough”.
“Already this year, in just the first 40 days of opening our doors, we have supported 515 families with kai assistance, and another 545 families have come seeking help or advice around other supports.
“The level of need in our community right now is significant, and we see that reality every day.”
Hoods, who is set to take to the field on Sunday, said events such as Kick for a Cause made “a real difference”.
“They allow us to continue walking alongside whānau with practical support, dignity and hope.”
All gifts from the community were received “with deep gratitude”.
1. Alicia Heron - conservationist and explorer
2. Allan Price - senior surveyor
3. Andrea Fenton - real estate salesperson
4. Andrew Moraes - council chief executive
5. Andrew Wilson - chief executive
6. Anneka Voss - teacher
7. Bailey van den Broek - real estate agent
8. Ben Sandford - winter Olympian, lawyer, and city councillor
9. Brent Griffin - primary school principal
10. Charlene Porteous-Watt - legal executive
11. Chevez Makan - high school dean
12. Cheyenne Simmons - club rep
13. Courtney Nikora - community supervisor
14. Craig Murray - entrepreneur and event developer
15. Darcee Manuirirangi - founder, choreographer, and teacher
16. Darnielle Hoods - Rotorua Salvation Army community ministries manager
17. David Elliott - head of service and community partnership
18. David Massey - fitness leader
19. Eden Chapman - primary school principal
20, Elisha Fa’i-So’oialo - performing arts teacher and freelance classical singer and composer
21. Emma Clapperton - recruitment consultant
22. Eru Osborne - entrepreneur and co-Founder
23. Faustinah Ndlovu - community leader and humanitarian
24. Fraser Heron - senior heart health promoter
25. Gareth Cunliffe - primary school principal
26. Gary Singh - real estate salesperson
27. Harpreet Singh - real estate agent
28. Henk Greupink - founder and swim coach
29. Jev Basical - real estate agent and former Miss Multicultural Rotorua
30. Jo Holmes - marketing and communications manager
31. Justin Harper - high school principal
32. Kane Radford - NZ Olympic swimmer and business owner
33. Kaycie O’Connor - communications and strategy manager
34. Keegan Mitchell - Athletic Club founder
35. Kelsi Hira - business owner
36. KeriAnn Birch - business owner
37. Luke Westrupp - student
38. Maria Ramirez - teacher aide
39. Mike James - residential property valuer
40. Neville Sharp - survey technician and Ngongotahā AFC Life Member
41. Norm Rahiri - radio content manager
42. Paul Lenihan - teacher
43. Phil Clark - business owner
44, Rachel McRae - founder and director
45. Rachel Weinberg - primary school principal
46. Rajind Seneviratne - emergency management officer
47. Renee Price - head girl
48. Renee Tapsell - dive instructor and business owner
49. Shannon Eldridge - lawyer
50. Shivarn Leonard - trade sales assistant
51. Siobhan Terry - New Zealand para-cyclist and para-swimmer
52. Trevor Johnston - ex semi-pro footballer, mountaineer, and motivational speaker
Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.