Mount Gambier’s Arena Sports Store recently donated 18 pairs of children’s and adult’s football boots to the Nangwarry Football and Netball Club uniform bank.
The uniform bank was recently started by Nangwarry Football and Netball Club well-being person official and social worker Celeste Raymond.
Ms Raymond said the idea for the uniform bank came about due to cost of living increases proving difficult for many people and that she was grateful for Arena Sport Store’s donation.
“We were kindly offered a donation of football boots by Arena Sports Store by the de Wit family,” she said.
“When I saw the quantity we received I was very thankful and humbled they would be so generous to Nangwarry Football and Netball Club.
“So I thought with that donation, why don’t I put together a uniform bank where people can go through their old football and netball gear and donate that to the club.
“Adults and children can play with the donated gear and then they can recycle that back through the club to reduce the cost and the expense of continuing to play sport or joining sport.”
Arena Sports Store owner Kane de Wit said he was approached by Nangwarry 2023 senior coach Shane Raymond, who asked if Arena had anything they could donate.
“We had some spare footy boots here and we thought donating to the club would be a good option,” Mr de Wit said.
“Nangwarry’s obviously been through a few troubles in the last few years, obviously the burning down of the clubrooms and all that.
“We just thought, well, we can support them in some way and this was a good option.”
Ms Raymond said the club did not want kids or adults to miss out on opportunities to have a community connection through sport for their health and wellbeing due to finance barriers.
“There’s no judgement attached to it, because when we look at what’s happened over the last couple of years everyone’s done it tough,” she said.
“This is just a way that we can make things easier for people when they need it, which can be anyone at any time.
“A very big thank you to Arena Sports Store, Nangwarry Football Club are highly thankful for their donation.”
