Oceania Hockey is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This partnership will help to deliver donated goods to developing nations within Oceania as part of our “Champions Give Back” program.
The Champions Give back program was initiated in 2009 at the Champions Trophy in Sydney after recognition that many players in the Pacific did not have the necessary equipment, and that access and cost was prohibitive.
Our first delivery of donated uniform went out to Tonga in May, where it was gratefully received. This has been distributed amongst some schools participating in development programs with Hiko Fungavaka. Our second delivery has now arrived in Samoa and will be distributed to local schools as part of their development program.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the RNZAF for their part in transporting this to Tonga on behalf of Oceania Hockey. We would also like to thank and acknowledge North Harbour Hockey and North Shore United for their kind donation of uniform and hockey balls.
OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAMME
To gather “used hockey equipment” from developed hockey countries, clubs, secondary schools, masters and individuals to provide to developing hockey countries within the Oceania Hockey Federation
To build a positive relationship with equipment suppliers, such as our sponsor, Just Hockey, to identify equipment needs and where they may help to supply old stock, or returns from sponsored players or new equipment at cost price to Pacific Island nations.
To fairly distribute the “used equipment” to the appropriate country depending on the equipment and the needs of individual countries identified in the annual needs survey e.g. goalkeeping equipment or uniforms.
To develop an exchange network between a developed hockey entity e.g. Hockey Queensland and a specific developing hockey country, such as Papua New Guinea or Solomon Islands. Canterbury Hockey and Tonga – same colour of uniform.
The exchange network to be strengthened by ongoing contact and exchange of ideas, resources, competition models and personnel for workshops.
For any queries around this program, or equipment to be donated, please contact our Continental Development Officer Kirsten Stuckey on [email protected]
