QuickFeet May 2025
Our 5-minute update on Hoa Motuhake Sports Trust May 2025!
New Intake
We have started 18 new tamariki in our first-year Sports Mentoring programme this year and 48 tamariki in our Scholarship programme playing over 14 different sports. This means we are currently supporting 66 tamariki in 2025. We have an awesome team of volunteer mentors onboard who have already built some awesome relationships with their mentees. So far, our new mentees have had a lot of fun at our group sessions this year which include basketball, beach volleyball, football, and kayaking. They are very excited to be attending a Crusaders rugby game this week. We look forward to providing more updates on the cohort in the next newsletter!
Christmas Party
Last year we held our annual Christmas Party, inviting all tamariki in our programmes and their whānau for an afternoon of games, presents, and a whole lot of fun. A big thank you to Foodstuffs for providing us supermarket vouchers to help feed the crew!
Game Day stats
Since our last update:
5006: Total sport sessions.
79: Tamariki supported to date
46: Playing community sport.
76: Group sessions to date. Most recently including Bouldering, Mau rākau, Touch rugby, and Table tennis.
Meet Our Newest Ambassador - Courtney Tairi
We are thrilled to announce that we have partnered up with former Silver Fern and award-winning sport presenter Courtney Tairi. Courtney made her ANZ Championship debut in 2009 playing for the New South Wales Swifts who went on to become minor premiers in 2010. Over her 8-year professional career, she played for the likes of the Southern Steel, Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, and finishing her career at the Northen Stars. In 2013 she made her Silver Ferns debut and went on to make three senior appearances.
After retiring in 2017, Courtney transitioned into a broadcaster, presenter, and commentator for Sky Sport, presenting a variety of sporting competitions in New Zealand and Australia. Recently she was part of the media team that brought New Zealanders live event action from the ground at the Paris Olympics. Now Courtney has started her new media business Coco Media as she will be venturing out on her own for new and exciting opportunities. She has also embraced her journey of reconnecting with her Whakapapa, recently completing te reo Māori studies, a commitment that reflects her passion for culture, identity, and inspiring young people to be proud of who they are.
We are very excited to have Courtney join the team as our new ambassador. From her elite netball days to being a respected broadcaster, Courtney has always used her platform to uplift others. Off the court, her passion for celebrating culture, inclusion, and youth shines just as brightly. With her background in sport, storytelling, and community leadership, Courtney is a fantastic fit to champion our mission of ensuring all tamariki can experience the joy and connection of being active.
Sponsor a Child campaign - Vast Billboards
Around Christchurch, you may start to notice some of our ads displayed on Vast Billboards. They have kindly partnered with us to help spread the word of our ongoing Sponsor a Child campaign. Our Sponsor a Child campaign allows you to make a direct, tangible impact on a child’s life. For just $20 a week, you can help a disadvantaged child experience the holistic benefits of sport participation. Your sponsorship covers essential costs, including equipment, registration fees, and transportation, ensuring that every child has an opportunity to join in, learn new skills, and build lifelong friendships. By sponsoring a child, you’re not only supporting their physical development but also helping to foster confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. Thank you, Vast Billboards, for getting onboard and supporting our tamariki!
Celebrating Local Legends - Garey Burgess
For the past three years, we have been very fortunate to partner with local legend Garey Burgess, who co-runs Barry’s Elite Boxing. Each week, Garey generously takes a class open for any of our tamariki interested in boxing. The level of generosity and commitment he has shown in the community is rare, and we are incredibly grateful to have him in our corner.
Garey is more than just a coach. He is a mentor who knows how to challenge and uplift our tamariki. A true role model, he brings out the potential in every young person he works with. The impact Garey and the gym have had on our tamariki is immeasurable. Through his classes, our tamariki have not only improved their physical fitness but also grown in confidence, resilience, and discipline. His compassion goes beyond boxing as he has helped one of our young people get a job and assist them in driving lessons.
Thank you, Garey, you are a champion of our mission to change young lives through sport.
New Office Space
We have officially relocated from our Central City office, now residing in Riccarton. This wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Pathways who are welcoming us into their space for the remainder of the year. You will now find us on 44 Mandeville Street.
We are very excited to announce that from the end of the year we will be moving into the Sports Hub at the new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. We will be working alongside the likes of Sport Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, and High-Performance NZ in this exciting new Sports Centre.
We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be around likeminded sporting bodies and cannot wait to move in!
Photo Gallery
Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved with the trust over the past few months - mentors, clubs, donors, and supporters. Your support is invaluable and continues to help us provide life-changing opportunities for our tamariki!
