Play, Pass it On, Replay – Community Event!
The right gear can be the difference between watching from the sideline and stepping onto the field. When a child is gifted boots or a stick suddenly, the game isn’t just for others, it’s for them too. Confidence grows, joy shines through, and the message is clear: “You belong here. You can be part of the game too.”
Whānau across the Manawatū District are invited to Play, Pass it On, Replay on Friday 26 September, from 12pm to 2pm, outside on the green space of Te Āhuru Mōwai, corner of Hobson and Stafford Street. This free community event celebrates play, sport, and sustainability, with plenty of pre-loved sports gear available to take home and a range of activities to enjoy, including the MCHL play trailer, StoryWalk® and a vertical jump challenge.
In the lead-up, donations can be dropped at the MCHL front counter at Te Āhuru Mōwai and Manawatū District Council will have a collection pop-up at the Feilding Farmers Market on Friday 19 September. Clean, gently used sports gear ensures more families can enjoy opportunities to play without the cost barrier.
“It’s incredible to see gear that might otherwise sit unused find a second life with whānau who will make the most of it. This kaupapa is about connection, activity, and enjoying sport together,” says Megan Hennessy of Sport Manawatū.
These generous donations mean there will be quality gear ready to find a new home. Families are invited to clear out equipment that might no longer fit, or from sports codes no longer played and drop it off for others to enjoy. And likewise families can pick up equipment at no cost, helping tamariki and rangatahi stay active and connected through sport.
So, bring the whānau, get involved, and discover some awesome gear, because sometimes, a pair of boots or a ball can be a real game changer.
For more information, please contact: megan.hennessy@sportmanawatu.org.nz
Megan Hennessy from Sport Manawatū, Denise McLean from Replay NZ - Manawatū, and Marie Willis from Manawatū Community Hub Libraries stand together in front of the donation station.
