Halcombe to get fit-for-purpose sporting facility

The sporting community in Halcombe has been strengthened with a grant to redevelop the village’s tennis courts.

The New Zealand Community Trust has awarded Halcombe Community Trust $127,503 to upgrade tennis courts.

Trustee Andrew Hansen said the need for the project arose after community feedback in 2013.

“Many people from our community are currently traveling to Feilding for the sport and our population has reached a point where a local body would have strong support.

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“This generous grant from NZCT means members of the Halcombe community can finally play, practice, train and compete on purpose-built tennis courts and our children have a place to train and practice for their hockey games.”

Halcombe Junior Tennis Club could increase its membership and hold competitions on courts where there is no grass, Hansen said.

A surrounding net preventing balls from rolling out would mean less time chasing unpredictable balls.

Hansen said teens would have a place they would want to hang out that would allow them to play multiple sports. They no longer had to travel to nearby cities to get facilities there.

“Almost half of Feilding Junior Hockey teams are school children from Halcombe. Since there was no space for a lawn in the school, there was a need for a lawn for practicing.

“New lighting will not only help reduce vandalism and increase the use of both pitches on winter evenings when daylight hours are short, but will also allow the rugby ground to plan a year-round program.”

He said that from a regional perspective, Sport Manawatū recognized the need for multipurpose pitches that would be beneficial to the Manawatū-Rangitīkei region and the lighting would ensure they could be well used throughout the year. especially for mass sport.

“We want to future-proof Halcombe dishes so that they remain a purposeful and well-used community asset for many generations to come.”

He said the courts are an asset to the community and are used by families, groups and individuals.

“They provide a neutral space for groups, individuals and families to participate in leisure activities, helping bring to life our vision of Halcombe as a safe, supportive and connected community.”

Ice hockey coach Lucinda Dodunski said she couldn’t wait to have a place to practice that was purpose built and wouldn’t ruin sticks.

“Our closest pitch is in Feilding, 15 minutes away, but we can’t even train there after school so it will make a huge difference for us. super excited.”

Tennis member Lydia Binstead said it would be cool to get proper tennis courts and her game would get better.

Up-and-coming Manawatū Jets basketball player Thomas McLaughlin thought the same way.

“I try to train every day to get better and better. My goal is to play for the Jets. It will be great to have an adjustable hoop and lines for shooting. I don’t have to force my mother to drive me for 30 minutes just to practice.”

Halcombe Community Trust was established in 2017 and its mission is to undertake projects that improve the infrastructure and well-being of the community.