Napier City Rovers receive $15,000 funding for floodlights

New Zealand Community Trust grant of $15,000 will contribute towards the installment of new floodlights for Napier City Rovers. Photo / Paul Taylor

A grant of $15,000 will contribute towards the installation of new floodlights for Napier City Rovers.

The funding, from the New Zealand Community Trust, will enable the football club to install floodlights covering two football pitches.

City Rovers operations manager Chris McIvor said the funding will also enable the club to keep player and membership costs at an affordable level, as well as making football opportunities are accessible to all.

"We aim to subsidise membership and players' fees, including free football for Under-6s to aid life-long participation in football and being part of a whānau-first club," he said.

McIvor also highlighted the importance of limiting the "cost barrier" to local tamariki and rangatahi in Tamatea – a low-deprivation suburb.

"Funding allows us to maintain our operational costs, including running Bluewater Stadium and clubrooms - home to a number of community events reaching thousands of people annually. We are focused on income from fees for player development and experiences."

The current floodlights have been in action for 30 years and do not reach all areas of the fields, with many not functioning.

"These new lights will provide opportunities for up to 500 players from 5-year-olds to masters per week over 24 weeks every year," McIvor added.

Founded in 1973, Napier City Rovers has gone onto be one of the most successful provincial clubs in New Zealand having won the Chatham Cup five times, National League on four occasions and Central Premier League three times.