“The older boys thoroughly enjoyed mentoring the young players. It’s a great experience. Looking after the logistics, learning how to manage the team, helping them develop their skills and giving them the opportunity to enjoy doing what we enjoy doing. We’ve all learnt so much and we love it,” Max says. Now with Ben Hamilton employed as the full-time programme manager, and a board of trustees supervising governance, the Tamai project is on a very firm footing. In 2022, there are 85 children involved, making up three Rugby teams and two Football teams, playing in the Metro Junior competitions. This season, Ben is overseeing seven Rugby coaches and numerous volunteers for once- a-week training sessions for the
children, and their weekly game. The confidence evident in the children – and the relationships built between them and their communities – is a huge reward for all involved. At age 11, with the passion for sport well and truly ignited, the children transition into local sports’ clubs and, hopefully, their sense of belonging is well established. Max says they hope to engage 250 children soon on a weekly basis, with College boys helping out with the coaching and on Saturdays. With his move to Auckland imminent, he has decided he cannot let the Tamai project go – so is taking the concept to the City of Sails. “We’ve got the model in place, all of the systems and required procedures are in place, so we
want to build on that up north, perhaps in Manukau.” Meanwhile, Stephen Dods says there are plans locally to include more teams and different sporting codes, and to expand into girls’ netball, and even music. “The demand is there, the enthusiasm is there, the need is there, the kids are there, but it depends on attracting sufficient sponsorship. It’s such a fantastic project to be involved in, and with enough supporters on board, we can make it work. “Ultimately, we’d like to build our own junior club in the area where the children are from, a place that’s their own hub and where they belong. We’re the only ones doing this kind of thing for this age group – the under 11 years – and we can see the value it is bringing to their lives. “We all love it – it’s awesome.”
COLLEGE 2022
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