‘We are very much a community-based, family-centred club,’ says club treasurer Kelly Harold. ‘We welcome players of all ages and abilities. Often, we have whole families playing,’ she reports.
According to Kelly, the costs of participating in hockey can be high. Turf hire and subscriptions to regional and national representative bodies can push up the required fees. Waitākere Hockey Club aims to keep the sport affordable. However, often that means there’s not much left over for the extras.
Thanks to the help of the Your West Support Fund, the club is looking forward to buying new goalkeeper kits.
‘Our current goalie kits are tired and worn. At the moment, some are being held together with duct tape!’ says Kelly. ‘And we are super-excited to add to our stocks with brand-new kit this year.’
Kelly says the club is looking to buy new kit for their female goalies. Until now, the women’s teams have had to make do with goalkeeper kit that is designed mainly for men.
‘We are very grateful for the help of the Your West Support Fund,’ says Kelly. ‘The new kit will be a big hit with the women’s teams.' She says that no longer will they struggle to play in uncomfortable and poor-fitting kits.
The club hopes the new kit will encourage more women and girls to take up goalkeeping.
And the timing is perfect. Depending on Covid restrictions, the new season starts in April. It’s not too late to get involved. So, if you are interested in giving hockey a go, check out the club’s website or follow them on Facebook.
Waitākere Hockey Club is just one of 130 community organisations, charities, schools and sports clubs to benefit from the million-dollar Your West Support. Find out more here.