Manukau sports complex kicks off

A new $1 million sports complex at Redoubt North Primary School in Manukau was opened to encourage primary students to engage in active sport on a regular basis.
Primary Sport is one of the key drivers behind the multi-purpose Silver Ferns Sports Complex and one of the seven programmes developed by Sir John Walker’s Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation to impact the lives of young people in Manukau by providing sport and recreational experiences. 
Launched in August 2009, Primary Sport involves 22 primary schools in Otara and Papatoetoe.
Redoubt North has been part of the Primary Sport programme for approximately two years, with over 300 Year four and Year six students involved. 
Principal of Redoubt North Jane Milne said the benefit the foundation delivered to school youngsters was the inspiration for the sports complex. The foundation provides a wide range of resources to the school, including sports gear and coaching.
Special guests at the opening included Sir John Graham, MP Hon George Hawkins, and Auckland Councillor Arthur Anae.
Sir John Graham, a leading educator and former All Black captain, says the sports complex is an incredible asset for the school and will allow the children to learn to love physical activity and learn to love sport. 
“Physical education is a crucial part of the school curriculum and I see this sports complex as something that is vital for the growth of the children,” he says.
Sir John Walker’s aim for his Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation is to get more Manukau youngsters active and involved in sport and to stay in sport, just like he did.