MILLIONS of dollars in budget and a “tremendous” level of community interest are in evidence as John Walker’s Field of Dreams sports project gets under way in Manukau.
An annual contribution of $250,000 from Manukau City Council is part of an overall budget in the vicinity of $10 million over the next three years, which includes large contributions from Progressive Enterprises and the Lion Foundation, among many others.
People are coming out of the woodwork to offer their time and skills, according to Otara councillor Arthur Anae, who sits on the project’s steering group.
The scheme aims to fund and develop existing and new sports programmes to help young people into physical activities and “take them off the streets”, says Mr Anae.
At present, the project is largely council-driven in day-to-day operations, as the search for potential activities starts. But the future of the project is likely to be as a standalone charitable entity promoting Manukau sports.
“The biggest problem is with sports clubs. They’re in dire straits,” says Mr Anae, who believes many clubs struggle to maintain a viable existence.
It’s not necessarily just sports. “Everything from dance to rugby league” could be looked at to identify areas of interest and need, he says.
The council’s community policy manager David Tucker says funding will be focused on the overall picture rather than reflex-driven, but officers are “willing to look at any idea that might come in”.
A number of activities have already been identified across schools, clubs and coaching activities for young people aged from seven to their early 20s.
He says the Learn to Swim programme offers free tuition to seven and eight-year-olds through schools.
A Club Leadership Development scheme will tutor sports organisers about running viable clubs. Counties Manukau Active will coach trainers to target physically inactive people. Informal parks sessions will get park rangers involved in providing outdoor experiences, while after school programmes are being looked at for a wide range of activities.
Mr Anae says the Field of Dreams project demonstrates Manukau’s desire to turn things around.
“There’s a huge amount of good things going on to overcome everything else that’s been happening,” says Mr Anae.
“This project will be one of the great things to come out of Manukau. Watch this space.”
