A sports club in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing districts is setting the pace both on and off the field.

The humble Rolleston Warriors club has been nominated as a finalist for Grassroots Club of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby League Annual Awards. Their approach to a smokefree and alcohol free club environment has been recognised in their nomination.

According to Healthy Families Christchurch Manager Dave Jeffrey, Canterbury Rugby League as a sport is incredibly proactive, supporting change for health and wellbeing in the club environment.

Jeffrey has worked with Canterbury Rugby League on a recent workshop concept in partnership with Canterbury Tennis,

The Regional Sports Organisations (RSOs), along with their respective clubs, embraced an opportunity initiated by Community and Public Health, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) and supported by Christchurch City Council(CCC), Canterbury Rugby League, Canterbury Tennis, Sport Canterbury and Healthy Families Christchurch.

In October, 11 tennis clubs and two rugby league clubs attended a workshop held at Wilding Park, the second of its kind in the Canterbury region this year. Workshops will be replicated in the future to engage as many sports codes as possible, according to Anna Thorpe of the CDHB. Workshops focus on improving club culture in sports clubs, complying with law to reduce problematic drinking and increasing club sustainability by offering a safe, supportive environment for families. 

Jeffrey and his Healthy Families Christchurch team are based within the team at Sport Canterbury.

“We support change for better health and wellbeing in schools, sports clubs, wokrplaces, marae and places of worship.

“Our team works with with local champions to lead change in their own communities. The nomination of the Rolleston Warriors as a finalist this week shows that sports who care about supporting healthier environments…will be celebrated.”