Knockout combo for two clubs

CLASH OF CODES: New Zealand Community Trust chief executive Mike Knell (left) spars with Kaierau Rugby Football Club's Ken McGifford at the opening on Saturday. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO

IT STARTED with an offer to take some gym equipment from Rangitikei College, and 12 months later there is a first-class training facility that will service two Whanganui sports clubs for years to come.
The 15m by 30m gym and boxing facility at the Kaierau Country Club was officially opened by officials on Saturday morning, serving as a new training hub for both the Kaierau Rugby Football Club and Rivercity Boxing.
Built by Totalspan Wanganui with help from a range of sponsors, including the key funding from the New Zealand Community Trust, the building now holds a ring, heavy boxing bag area, rowing machines, exercise apparatus and a host of other paraphernalia associated with athlete preparation.
Executive committee member Darrell Robinson spoke with pride of the efforts of both businesses and volunteers to clear the land and then working long hours getting the building ready - including fixing little problems along the way like power cables getting buried in concrete.
Both Robinson and Rivercity Boxing's Steve Parker specifically thanked NZCT chief executive Mike Knell, a former Whanganui man, for all his support.
Parker said the chance to get into a new facility came at a time where the walls of Rivercity's original 70-year-old building were literally falling down, while they were also dealing with a leaky roof.
"It's taking it from a very amateur environment to a very professional environment, and allows our kids to be what they want to be."
Kaierau RFC president Geoff Davies explained how when the club accepted the offer to take the gym equipment from Marton, they stored it downstairs at the club rooms but knew that eventually it had to go somewhere.
He credited Robinson for having the vision for a training facility, and through contacts at Totalspan they linked up with Rivercity who were looking for a new home: "It's been his [Robinson's] baby, his dream, and it's certainly come together," said Davies.
Sport Whanganui's Danny Jonas said codes in Whanganui needed to change with the times, and the collaborative effort between the two clubs reflected that. "This type of facility is what Whanganui needs to think about.
"With a passion, and a vision, you can do it."
Word Count 439
Edition A
Page A21
Caption
CLASH OF CODES: New Zealand Community Trust chief executive Mike Knell (left) spars with Kaierau Rugby Football Club's Ken McGifford at the opening of the new training gym at the Country Club on Saturday. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO NEW HOME: The Kaierau rugby and Rivercity Boxing members now have their own training facility available, day or night.
Publication WAC
Credit Wanganui Chronicle M-F Modular