Bromley School wins $10,000 sports grant in AA Insurance's Big Little Sponsorship

The Team Reporter from The Press

Christchurch’s Bromley School is the South Island winner of a $10,000 sports grant in AA Insurance’s Big Little Sponsorship.

Pupils gathered for a reveal party on Tuesday, which started with a pre-recorded video from former All Black Keven Mealamu, AA Insurance’s head of brand and marketing Melodie Vickars, and Eden Park chief eecutive Nick Sautner. The children were then treated to a catered morning tea, and a chance to make their own smoothies on ‘smoothie bikes’.

“What really stood out to our judges was their great sportsmanship, school spirit, and constant sacrifices made by teachers to support sport," Vickars said.

The school is looking to get new sports equipment and organise transportation to sporting events with the grant.

Mealamu, who has been behind the campaign as its ambassador since it began in 2018, is an advocate for kids getting involved in sport from an early age. He noted Bromley’s nominations showed “sport is a high priority at the school to encourage children to be active and participate in activities.”

“It’s good for kids to play sport; they talk to people and learn to work together. They also learn respect for their team-mates and opposition. And they learn that it takes hard work to achieve something worth achieving.

This year the competition was open to all primary schools throughout the North and South Islands, and one lucky teacher from each winning school will be awarded the ‘Ultimate Eden Park Experience’ (at an appropriate time) to acknowledge their commitment.

The competition received more than 3200 nominations from 771 primary schools.

Photos by Stephanie Defregger