Sports collective takes next step

Sports groups in Wellsford will seek funding to retain the services of Push Play coordinator Julie Knott, when the Push Play Neighbourhood project winds up at the end of this year.

The newly-incorporated Wellsford & Districts Sport & Recreation Collective held their annual meeting last month and agreed to seek funding to continue the Push Play role.

Collective member Caroline Marshall expressed the views of a number of members when she said the project had created a lot of interest and had been invaluable in raising the profile of sport and recreation activities in the area.

Wellsford was one of four communities in Rodney that participated in the three-year Push Play project, a joint Harbour Sport/SPARC initiative. It set-up collectives of community members interested in improving health and wellbeing through sport and physical activity, with the aim of increasing activity levels across the board by five percent. Coast to Coast PHO, Rodney District Council and ACC also contributed to the project.

Julie said final reports on the outcomes of the project were being prepared.
Members of the collective said they saw Julie’s role expanding in future to work more closely with individual sports groups. Kelvin Colthurst felt the collective had the potential to provide sports and recreation groups in Wellsford with one voice.

Officers elected were – chairperson Wendy Crow-Jones, secretary/coordinator Julie Knott, treasurer Irene Rockell, committee – Nancy Malloy, Keith and Caroline Marshall, Edwina Came, Kevin Colthurst and Ian Rockell.

One project that the collective has explored is a multi-use sport and recreation facility at Centennial Park. Julie says Rodney District Council recognises that this is a wish for Wellsford and districts, and has made allowance for such a facility in the adopted park plan.

“Council is clear however that they will not be funding such a project, and the emphasis is on the community of Wellsford to raise the funds,” she says.
Wellsford and Districts Sport and Recreation Collective is keen for all clubs and activities to be involved. Info: Phone Julie Knott on 423 6082.

Push Play activities undertaken in recent months include:
• A noticeboard advertising sports and recreational activities in the Wellsford district will soon be erected in the centre of town.
• A 5km permanently-marked walking route to enable people to exercise easily and safely on a regular basis.
• Accessed funding for emergency first aid training for sport and activity providers. Courses will be held this month and next month.
• Working with Rodney District Council on a feasibility study for Centennial Park and surrounding area.


Push Play coordinator Julie Knott was described as “ too valuable a resource to lose”.