Are you part of a sports group with young people aged 5-18 years? Do they need to travel to compete in regular local sporting competitions outside school hours? If so, we might be able to help. $12,000 is available for this round, which applies to sports played in terms 1 and 2. 

Sport NZ have recognised the need to assist rural communities. They have given Council this grant to help rural sports clubs and rural school teams with young people who require assistance with transport expenses to local sporting competitions.

It's important to note this fund is not available to representative teams or individuals travelling to national or regional tournaments or competitions.

Please contact the Community Funding Advisor for advice. 

 Who can apply

Any rural sports club or rural school team within the Whakatāne District area with members between the ages of 5 and 18 years where the team travels out of or within the district for regular competition outside of school hours. If you have received previous funding for the same sport in the last 18 months, you must have completed an Accountability Form.

 How and when to apply

Applications for the final round of the Rural Travel Fund, to and including 30 June 2024 is open now.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday, 28 February 2024. No late applications will be accepted.  

Applications should be sent:

• via email to grants@whakatane.govt.nz

or

• hand-delivered to Whakatāne District Council Customer Service Centre, 14 Commerce Street, Whakatāne. 

Download an application form - (Word, 92 KB)

Please read the Rural Travel Fund Guidelines - (PDF, 217 KB)

 How your application is assessed

The Community Funding Committee will consider applications in early March 2024. Applicants will be notified of the outcome within two weeks of that meeting.

Successful applications previously include:

• Petrol vouchers to parents
• Van or bus hire

 Accountability

All recipients of funding through the Rural Travel Fund are required to complete an Accountability Form, which will be supplied to successful applicants. This must:

• Specify how the grant was spent and attach evidence of expenditure such as receipts, invoices or signed statements by the club's accountant if appropriate.
• Report the benefits of having received the assistance.
• The form must be completed prior to any further applications for this fund.

 Need a hand?

To find out more, to get help with your application form, or if you have any questions, please email grants@whakatane.govt.nz or contact our Community Funding Advisor on 07 306 0500.