Donated rugby boots a boost
Spotswood United Rugby Football Club has kicked off the season in high spirits thanks to the generous donation of more than $10,000 worth of rugby boots.
The bounty of boots of all sizes will enable juniors aka ‘Spotty Pups’ to get quality boots otherwise out of their reach, and may suit some of the senior players too.
Club chairman Tony Standen said they were absolutely stoked that out of all the clubs in the district they were chosen by Frontrunner, New Plymouth, to receive the gear.
‘‘It’s a great boost for us. As a club we have come a long way and feel we are in the best state we have ever been, with a good number of newcomers coming into the game,’’ said Standen.
The popular game aside, the club has a culture of giving and encourages players to get involved in the community by helping others.
For the last few years instead of having a gate charge at home games a bucket collection has been taken around the crowd at halftime, with all the money raised donated to a different charity each time.
In 2016 Spotswood United raised more than $5000 for charity and this season it would continue the giving tradition. Local organisations that are set to benefit include the Taranaki Cancer Society, and Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust.
It was that grassroots giving that attracted the attention of New Plymouth Frontrunner sports shop manager Kelvin Giddy.
‘‘Spotty does a lot of work for the community, and from working with a couple of the guys in charge there, I saw the opportunity to donate some of the old season’s boots,’’ Giddy said.
It was a no-brainer aligning itself with the local club. ’’As a company that provides sports gear we like to think we have a great relationship with sports groups, and this is our way of giving back.
‘‘We are hoping it will plant the seed that we are approachable, and that just because we provide top quality gear, that doesn’t mean our products aren’t affordable, or just solely for the elite.’’
Giddy also provides a lucky ball each home game. It gets kicked into the crowd and whoever gets it wins a voucher to redeem at the store.
‘‘It’s just a great feeling to be part of that community spirit.’’