Club pride on the line
Tammy Potini would love a clubroom to display all the trophies the Pukekohe Pythons have collected over the years.
However, the reality for the Pukekohe rugby league club is it has a run-down shipping container and an aging removable toilet block substituting for a clubroom.
Recently, Potini has taken on the role of project manager to help repair damage caused by vandals in the club’s off-season.
This Saturday from 11am-3pm the club will hold a working bee to start its rebuild.
‘‘It’s more devastating than it’s ever been for this place,’’ Potini said.
The club’s toilet and kitchen blocks were destroyed by vandals causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
For a club which already had so little, the vandalism was heart breaking, Pukekohe Pythons club secretary Eva Tautari said.
‘‘We just come here and try to make something out of nothing - they’re not giving anyone the opportunity to do that.’’
Looking toward the future, Potini wants to build a permanent facility that players, parents and the community can be proud of.
‘‘There’s actually no identity on this place.’’
The club caters for junior league and also has teams in the local netball competition.
Potini said if the club remained in its current state the community would move on.
‘‘We’re in the 21st century now and I don’t think any club in New Zealand is operating like this.
Team manager Sharlene Pulefolau said the current state of facilities was embarrassing.
On wet game days, the fields were packed full of visitors, parents, supporters and players - all often huddled under a crumbling lean to.
‘‘I wish the community could come and see parents putting kids in cars because we don’t have a facility to get them dressed on a rainy day.
‘‘Kids standing in puddles trying to navigate their way into their uniform.’’
The long term plan is to build a toilet and changing block, a kitchen facility and netball courts.
Pulefolau said there were no sporting hubs in Pukekohe North.
‘‘It makes me feel sad when I drive past the soccer and netball complexes [in Franklin] because we’ve got kids with just as much heart - We’re in the same community sharing the same space but we don’t have the same type of facilities.’’
Potini said a clubroom to display trophies and team photos was what their kids deserved.
‘‘Even though they’re proud, they’ll be more proud if they can see their photos up on the wall.’’