Wednesday 20 April 2016

Massive morale and membership boost for Rotorua’s oldest league club

- Central Rugby league Club “transformed” following competition win -

After being plagued by burglaries, broken hot water cylinders which meant cold showers for players, declining membership and morale, Central Rugby League Club has undergone a complete transformation which has changed their world.

Club Secretary Kerry Mason says over a period of two years the club was victim to a number of burglaries.

“We think they were looking for alcohol or money but we are not an alcohol driven club and don’t keep cash on the premises. So when they were obviously frustrated by that, they took to smashing the walls,” says Kerry.

“The club couldn’t afford the cost of call-outs so there was a roster of us who would get up and go to the clubrooms at all hours of the night when the alarm went off.”

There were other issues. When the hot water cylinder failed, it meant cold showers. Spending money on maintenance and repairs meant that there would be less money to put into the actual sport. Membership and player engagement went into decline. It was a difficult time for the club which was looking to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2019.

The Club’s fortunes changed when Kerry spotted the “Woodstock League Club Fix Up” competition late last year on Woodstock Bourbon & Cola’s Facebook page. The prize for two winners was $10,000 for a league club fix up going toward tradesmen or gear for the club. The 2016 competition is open from 1st April – 13th May.

Last year’s Woodstock League Club Fix Up competition attracted more than 200 entries from clubs across the whole of New Zealand and this year Woodstock expects even higher numbers.

“I’d encourage every grassroots club in New Zealand to enter because it is a fantastic prize,” says Kerry.

“As a small club we had limited financial resources so when we entered the competition and won the $10,000 prize it was the most amazing feeling,” he says.

“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,” says Kerry.

“Our players turn up to practice. They’re excited and we’re really excited about the season ahead.

“It’s also helped us attract new sponsors. For example we’ve had a donation of new boots for our junior members and this has been great because we’re in an area with many low income families and we want to give the kids the best start we can in sport and life,” he says.

“Everything about the competition has been one hundred percent positive. Winning the competition has transformed our world.”

Woodstock Bourbon and Cola Category Manager Laura Youngman says while they are high profile sponsors of the Vodafone NZ Warriors and the NRL Auckland Nines, it’s grass roots league which is where it all begins.

“We’re passionate about grass roots rugby, because after all, that’s where great players come from,” says Laura.

The second winner in the 2015 competition was Te Aroha Rugby League Club.

Entries for the 2016 competition can be made through the Woodstock Bourbon and Cola Facebook page.

ENDS

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