25 September 2025
The second year of the NZCT Manawatū Active Communities Fund (MACF) was officially launched yesterday at the Feilding Civic Centre by Sport Manawatū Chief Executive, Kelly Shanks.
The event was attended by Ben Hodges, NZCT’s General Manager of Grants, Marketing, and Communications, Manawatū District Councillors Michael Ford and Bridget Bell, and local organisations and businesses who have seen the fund’s impact first-hand. Representatives included Alan McLean from Next Level Athletes and Jamie Wallace from Feilding Cricket Club – both successful applicants in the fund’s first year – as well as representatives from local supporters Kelly's Outlet Footwear Store and Turners Sports.
Kelly Shanks said the fund had made a significant difference in its inaugural year: “In its first year (2024–25) the fund supported 103 successful applications, impacting 2,122 people in the Manawatū community. It reached people of all ages, from 7 to 73 years old. The heartwarming stories and thanks we have received from the recipients has been overwhelming.”
The NZCT MACF was born through conversations between Sport Manawatū and NZCT, and the recognition of the fact that some parts of the community were continuing to miss out on opportunities to be physically active due to financial barriers.
“Partnering with Sport Manawatu on this fund has been a really successful complement to NZCT’s existing grants programme” explained Ben Hodges. “We want as many people as possible to be able to participate in and benefit from sport and physical activity. This fund ensures even more individuals and organisations across the Manawatu can benefit from the funds we raise in partnership with The Empire Hotel, The Farmers Son, and The Feilding Hotel.”
“Sport Manawatū have been fantastic funding partners. They are really well embedded in the community and have been able to channel our funding into previously hard to reach places.”
The impact has been particularly visible through programmes like Next Level Athletes. Thirteen-year-old participant Ella shared her experience: “We don’t just learn to run around or do fitness. We learn how to move better, jump higher, sprint faster, and even recover properly. I’ve noticed I’ve become quicker on the netball court, more balanced, and more confident.”
Sport Manawatū acknowledged the ongoing support of NZCT in making the fund possible and is looking forward to seeing another year of strong community impact.
Applications for the 2025–26 NZCT Manawatū Active Communities Fund are now open and will remain open until all available funds are allocated.
