Omahu Huia Rugby League Club wins Instant Finance Community Spirit Award

February 2012: Omahu Huia Rugby League Club was today presented with an Instant Finance Community Spirit Award and $1,000 prize money, in recognition of the role it plays in the Hawkes Bay community.

Rugby League has been played in the Hawkes Bay for over 100 years. Building on this heritage and introducing a new generation of Kiwis to the game is Omahu Huia Rugby League Club, which has been keeping the game alive in Hastings since 1975.

The Club is proud of its heritage and family unity and prides itself on its whakapapa, whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) and leadership. Its contribution to the community has today been recognised, with the Club being announced as one of 12 Instant Finance Community Spirit Award winners nationwide.

Along with the Award, comes $1,000 in prize money, which the Club will be investing into new uniforms and training gear.

Hundreds of community organisations, individuals and projects from around the country were nominated through Instant Finance branches in December 2011, with 12 highly deserving organisations each winning a $1,000 Instant Finance Community Spirit Award.

Club Chairman Ruka Waapu, said: “We are most appreciative of this Award and particularly honoured that we were nominated for the Community Spirit Award by people from our community.

“Omahu Rugby League Club has produced a number of top teams and NZ Maoris. Our season opens on 28 March 2012, and everyone is welcome.”

Instant Finance has been running its successful Community Spirit programme for over seven years, with more than 100 organisations and community projects around the country benefiting from the $1,000 grants during this time.

Potential beneficiaries could be nominated by anyone through the entry boxes at local Instant Finance branches, and historically, have included assistance for local sports clubs, community projects, the arts, church led projects, individual grant requests and charities.

ENDS



Notes:

This year, 12 organisations and initiatives will benefit from the Community Spirit programme, including:

• North Able, Whangarei
• Elim Soup Kitchen, Manurewa
• Linwood Rugby Club, Christchurch
• Kiwi Super Tots, Onehunga
• Massey Athletics Club, Royal Heights
• The Company NZ, Kilbirnie
• Plunket Rotorua
• Carlson School, New Lynn
• Papakura Toy Library, Takanini
• Hutt Valley Special Olympics, Wellington
• Omahu Huia Rugby League Club, Hastings
• Christchurch City Cadet Unit, Christchurch

For more information on Omahu Rugby League Club, please contact Chairman Ruka Waapu (06) 879 7973.