For The Love of the Game – Our Presenter This Week
This week Dave Simes from Hautapu Sports Club spoke to us about the history of the club and its future.
Did you know the club was formed 1903 in an old bacon curing room at the Hautapu Dairy Factory? Incredible to think the club is 120 years old!
In 2021, the local primary schools made the decision to end their involvement with the winter sports (hockey, netball, and rugby) and along with other Cambridge clubs, Hautapu Sports Club took on the challenge to ensure young players could continue play their winter sports. On their first registration afternoon, approximately 800 young players showed up. The club now has 1296 active junior players across 137 team – all coached and managed by volunteers. Touch rugby has since be added to the programme with 34 teams.
Over the last two years, the Board have implemented strategic planning for growth, commercial advancement, and communication along with addressing the challenges that lie ahead including continued facility upgrades, a change in direction from Waipa District Council and the emergence of new sports creating pressure on the existing space.
Sponsorship plays a vital role in the club’s health with a well-defined structure in place to recognise the contribution every sponsor plays whether it be financial or service in kind.
Amazingly, 98% of the wider Hautapu Sports Club team are volunteers!
Our Fabulous Paul Harris Fellows
Rotary Cambridge donated US$1,000 to the Rotary Foundation in Carey Church’s name and our President, John Bishop, awarded a Paul Harris Fellow to Carey in recognition of her work with the Garden Festival. Carey joins a remarking company of people throughout the world, all recognised for their commitment to ‘Service Above Self’ to benefit local and international communities.
District Governor, Kevin Forgeson awarded a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin to John Bishop for his personal contribution to the Rotary Foundation.
Newsflash!
The Garden Festival fundraiser allowed Rotary Cambridge to grant $25,000 to Cambridge Life Skills and our very own John Bullick accepted the grant on their behalf.
Reminder
- It’s changeover week this Thursday at The Woolshed, Te Awa from 5.00pm
