Upokongaro School near Whanganui the recipients of 30 out of 10,000 donated sports balls

At play from left: Nikki Watson and Elouise Rugg, Erica Ward and Warren Brown, Taylor Kidd and Shane Wibley. Photo / Stuart Munro

Soccer and rugby balls were flying through the air in all directions at Upokongaro School last week.

Students enjoyed kicking and passing the new BKT balls around the field with their friends outside on a sunny winter's day.

BKT is a supplier of TRS Tyre and Wheel Whanganui and they gave staff 10,000 balls to give away - Upokongaro School was one lucky recipient.

Principal Warren Brown said he found out they had been nominated on Facebook in May.

"We love it, we've been focusing on sport within the school for the past two years as a strategic move and this has really bolstered our sporting goods supplies.

"It allows us to be competitive with these kids on the sports field, which is very important. They get a sense of pride from being able to compete and we see the results not just on the sports field, but in the classroom too."

Upokongaro students compete in various sports including basketball, hockey, netball and rugby.

They have at least two or three teams in each code ranging from junior to senior teams.

Brown said the school has been working closely with Sport Whanganui and the 20 soccer balls and 10 rugby balls would really help with practice and skill development.

TRS Tyre and Wheel marketing manager Nikki Watson and territory manager Shane Whibley visited to deliver the sports balls and they are not done yet.

Next week they will visit Fordell School, Mosston School, Kaitoke School and Waitotara School - nine rural schools will receive them in total.

BKT also gave the TRS team an extra 4000 balls which were sold for a gold coin at Fieldays, raising $7000 for Hospice.