Waiheke inspires community initiative

Community collaboration encourages Te Huruhi kids to take on a new sporting challenge

In a bid to get kids off the couch and back onto bikes, PlaceMakers Waiheke organised a donation for Te Huruhi school kids that would change their lunch hours forever – the purchase of 35 bikes to be kept at the school and used by them.

“It’s important that kids learn to ride bikes safely, so when the chairman of the board of trustees approached us, we did what we could to make it happen,” says PlaceMakers Waiheke owner/operator Lee Stickland. “It’s an initiative that ticks a lot of boxes – improving kid’s fitness, getting them outdoors and supporting our local youth population.”

However, buying the bikes wasn’t necessarily enough to get the traction they were looking for, which is why Waiheke Mountain Bike Club (WMBC) came on board just over a year ago. Since then, the club and a committed group of parents have joined forces to build an off-road trail around the perimeter of the school. They’ve also just received a grant from Trail Fund NZ to gravel the track, improving its weather resistance.

“Basically, we could provide the equipment that was required, but not the instruction,” says Lee, whose branch also donated timber for the school to build bike racks for their new steeds.

“By working collaboratively with the club and the parents, we’ve seen some real outcomes.”

According to WMBC member Damien Clarke, who has been heavily involved in the project, the trail has become very popular with the kids.

“Kids are riding the track on a daily basis and it’s been used a number of times for cycling fundraisers,” he says. “We also use it in winter for our weekly Bike Sunday event, where club members volunteer their time to teach the kids mountain biking skills and encourage participation in the sport.”

The collaborative support hasn’t gone unnoticed. Te Huruhi school principal Adam Cels says it’s incredible to be part of such a supportive community.

“We truly value the support that we receive from PlaceMakers, the WMBC and other businesses in the community,” says Adam. “Thanks to the initiative, the school can offer kids the opportunity to participate in a sport they might not otherwise get to enjoy.”

Te Huruhi school kids practice their bike skills at Bike Sunday