Congratulations to all the Te Puke groups that represented, so proud of our little community. Voluntary groups from around the region gathered with representatives from Trustpower, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and the community at the Waihi Beach RSA to hear how 14 groups are making an impact on their community.
Trustpower Community Relations Representative Abbie Siely says Te Puke Gymsports stood out for the professional approach its volunteers applied to running the club and the significant steps it had taken to increase membership and improve services in the last year.
“Te Puke Gymsports is a not for profit organisation that employs qualified professional coaches, but is run by volunteers,” says Abbie.
“The past 12 months has been a period of particular achievement for this longstanding pillar of the Te Puke community, with its volunteer committee leading the charge towards excellence in all areas.
They conducted research into the club’s membership, and implemented a strategic plan to increase participation, improve customer service, get everyday operations running smoothly and keep special projects on track.
Volunteers invest a significant 500 hours per month into managing the club and running programmes. Committee members accept real responsibilities in their roles. They are assigned tasks and held to account for their achievement, and the club is forging ahead towards its goals as a result.”
Abbie says the club’s impact on the wider community resonated with judges.
“Volunteers organised and ran two gymnastics events for schools. The events attracted over 400 children from Tauranga, Papamoa, Waihi, Te Puke and Rotorua.
The club’s parkour programme has almost doubled in membership since last year, with 90 participants taking part each week – most of whom are young men who now have a positive outlet for their energy.”
For winning the Supreme Award, Te Puke Gymsports received a framed certificate, a trophy, and $1,500 prize money. The group will go on to represent Western Bay of Plenty at the 2017 Trustpower National Community Awards, which take place in Queenstown next April.
Other winners at tonight’s Trustpower Western Bay of Plenty Community Awards were:
Heritage and Environment
Commendation – Oropi Settlers Incorporated
Runner up – Western Bay Heritage Trust – Western Bay Museum
Winner – Aongatete Forest Project
Health and Wellbeing
Commendation – The Search Party Charitable Trust
Runner up – Parent to Parent Coastal Bay of Plenty
Winner – Omokoroa Community Policing Group Charitable Trust
Arts and Culture
Runner up – Te Puke Repertory Society
Winner – Katikati Open Air Art
Sport and Leisure
Runner up – Waihi Beach Volunteer Coastguard
Winner – Te Puke Skate Park Group
Education and Child/Youth Development
Commendation – Te Puke Toy Library
Runner up – Youth Encounter Ministries Trust
Winner – Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society Education Programme
Supreme Winner – Te Puke Gymsports
Article Source: http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/161390-te-puke-gymsports-supreme-winner.html
