Te Atiawa Rugby gets a Boost
Our Stories: Issue 54
Te Atiawa rugby teams were looking the part at the regional competition in October 2020.
Te Atiawa Māori Rugby is led by passionate parents from Te Atiawa iwi to promote a Māori rugby Rangatahi program in Taranaki.
Paula Anderson, Treasurer of Te Atiawa Māori Rugby Council, said the organisation has been running since 2018. “There was a need in our community. I felt that there were no competitions here in Taranaki for our younger generation.”
“We have only been operating for 2 years, and we had to start from the very beginning. We set up a committee and became incorporated. We had nothing and we had to pull on the finances of the parents to get started. Funding is hugely important,” Paula said.
The organisation sends teams to the regional Māori Rugby tournament that takes place in October each year. The Northern Region Competition (Te Hiku o te Ika) involves teams from King Country North and across all the grades: Men's, Women's and Youth grades down to Under 15.
“The tournament is really big and well organized. We take the kids away and teach them tikanga and whanaungatanga and how you apply those rugby skills in everyday life. It’s all about knowing your identity and being the best you can be. They get to connect with family members too,” Paula said.
A grant of $14k from TSB Community Trust enabled Te Atiawa Māori Rugby Council to purchase uniforms and gear for the players. “One of our challenges was how to equip the young people. We were borrowing the school’s uniforms and that’s not really professional. We had to look the part when we went to the tournament," Paula said.
Feedback from the players has been positive. “The kids are really grateful for their gear, and that they have the opportunity to go away and meet their whānau members, and to strengthen their relationships as well. Going to the competition is a win/win situation because the coaches get to connect with other coaches and learn off them too."
"It’s all about strengthening Taranaki,” Paula said.