Papakura Normal School wins Big Little Sponsorship

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Auckland, 13 August 2018 – The 650 pupils at Papakura Normal School discovered today they have received a major sporting boost from AA Insurance.

At a special assembly this morning, attended by representatives of AA Insurance, Eden Park and former All Black, Keven Mealamu, the school was presented with $10,000 worth of sports equipment and the design plan for a major sports turf upgrade from the groundskeepers at Eden Park. Later this month 20 lucky students from the winning school will also get a VIP tour of Eden Park.

‘The Big Little Sponsorship – a Big Deal for Little Teams’ was created by AA Insurance with support from Eden Park Trust. Over six weeks the programme received more than 852 nominations for 160 deserving primary schools all over Auckland. Nominations came from a variety of people within the community, teachers, parents, and even a group of students practising their persuasive writing skills by submitting nominations for their school.

The panel of judges had a tough job choosing a winner from the 10 finalists, but Papakura Normal School stood out for the breadth of nominations – from the principal, board of trustees, parents and students at the school.  And in a happy coincidence, the pupils at Papakura Normal School had previously identified Keven as a role model in the community they looked up to.

Principal Derek Linington says the school has just built a new PE shed, but had no money to buy equipment to fill it.

“Sport and fitness are important to the school community and the shortage of equipment and uniforms has not held the kids back from performing incredibly well.”

Despite lacking a marked field or even goal posts, Papakura Normal’s rugby team trained for and won their Counties Manukau competition and are now training for the Auckland championships.

Melodie Vickars, Sponsorship Manager at AA Insurance says it was clear from the nominations that sport plays a really important role in primary schools.

“Sport helps to keep kids active, learn to work in teams and builds confidence. Many schools noted how important sport is in balancing the level of interaction kids have with technology. We hope this initiative will help the pupils at Papakura Normal School continue to achieve their fullest potential, on and off the sports field.”

In November, Blair Christiansen and his team of groundskeepers from Eden Park will spend time at the school aerating, fertilising and marking out the school’s sports field and installing goal posts, completing the prize package.  

Runner up, Owairaka Primary School, will receive a $3,000 grant towards sports equipment and resources, and each of the 10 finalists will receive an All Blacks jersey signed by Keven Mealamu. 

Image: Former All Black Keven Mealamu, head girl Leanora Moevasa, 13, Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner, head boy Jeremy Tume, 13, Papakura Normal School principal Derek Linington, and Melodie Vickars, Sponsorship Manager at AA Insurance.