MAKEOVER: The Boxon Sports Academy clubhouse that also doubles as the Boxon Rugby League team shed in Castlecliff may be in line for a $10,000 makeover. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO
MAKEOVER: The Boxon Sports Academy clubhouse that also doubles as the Boxon Rugby League team shed in Castlecliff may be in line for a $10,000 makeover. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO
THE SOLE Whanganui rugby league club has a thirst for a $10,000 makeover of its clubsheds offered in a nationwide promotion by a long-time supporter of the game. Woodstock Bourbon & Cola is offering two grassroots Kiwi clubs the opportunity to win a $10,000 makeover. The competition is open to leagueclubs across New Zealand until May 13.
The River City club is certainly in need of a makeover of its clubsheds, which are shared by a variety of sporting codes that fall under the wider Wanganui Boxon Sports Academy banner.
Boxon league spokesman Craig Campbell said the clubroom in the old Castlecliff Town Hall in Heads Rd was shared with the Boxon Gym and he was sure the club would be keen to enter once details were known. It definitely would benefit from a makeover, he said.
Woodstock Bourbon & Cola category manager Laura Youngman said now was the time for any local rugby league club to enter either via the Woodstock NZ Facebook page or by emailing win@woodstock bourbon.co.nz with a short summary of why it needs an upgrade.
Youngman said while they sponsor the Vodafone NZ Warriors and the NRL Auckland Nines, grassroots league is where it all begins. "We're passionate about local community league, because after all, that's where great players come from," Youngman said.
Grassroots rugby is the life blood of professional league and it's where a number of great players have come from over the years. Rugby clubs are also often the hub of the community and a ready venue for social gatherings.
Last year's winner, Rotorua's Central Rugby League Club, was having a particularly difficult time after a spate of burglaries damaged the clubrooms, and players had to take cold showers because of a broken hot water cylinder. Club secretary Kerry Mason said winning the competition had transformed the club. "I'd encourage every grassroots club in New Zealand to enter because it is a fantastic prize. As a small club we had limited financial resources so when we won the $10,000 prize it was the most amazing feeling.
"We used the money to fix all the problems, including a new burglar alarm, and pride in the club has taken a massive hike. We're attracting new players including seniors, and membership is growing with many returning to the club after drifting away," he said.
