The Pioneer Rugby Club is celebrating after winning a $30,000 grant from Bunnings Rugby Assist. The club is one of ten recipients chosen from 191 applications across New Zealand and has 12 months to use the funds.
Club president Scott Egan expressed excitement, stating that this win is “awesome for the club.” The past few months have been busy for the club, which reached the Division 1 final and hosted a pre-season match between Otago and Southland.
Egan noted, “We have a committee meeting coming up to discuss our plans.” The club aims to prioritize renovations in the clubrooms, including updates to the ceilings and walls, which are in need of care.
The grant will significantly benefit the club’s finances. “It frees up our reserves for other projects,” Egan said.
Justine Abernethy, a club member who helped with the grant application, highlighted the club’s role in the community. “This is Rugby Southland’s go-to place in Gore,” she explained. The club hosts various events, including team training sessions and tournaments.
Abernethy emphasized that the application required demonstrating the club’s broader community impact. “We had to show we’re more than just a rugby club,” she said.
Egan pointed out that the club is proud to support girls’ and women’s rugby and noted they are the only club south of Oamaru to receive the grant. “We’ve never won anything like this before,” he said, adding it’s a sign that smaller clubs can succeed.
The club has a strong junior presence, with 13 teams and 180 young players from Riversdale and Waikaka, who benefit from the club’s support.
Egan mentioned positive feedback from Rugby Southland, saying, “This has been a good season for us, and it’s like the icing on the cake.”
A promotional video featuring women’s player Hera Black accompanied their application. Black expressed her excitement about the grant, while Debbie Smith, who helped create the video, shared, “It took a lot of work, and we did a happy dance when we found out.”
The club plans to hold a working bee later this year to start renovations. Smith noted, “It’s a lot of money, especially with rising costs, and it will help us tremendously.”
Black added that the club is welcoming and has a great culture. “The ladies love it here, and making the video was a fun experience.”
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