Three senior rugby teams at Tauranga Sports Club will soon run out in new uniforms after a $9450 grant from the New Zealand Community Trust.

Club president Kayne Henderson said the grant will ensure players have the right equipment to perform at their best on the field.

“The new gear will showcase our club’s brand, provide consistent, high-quality kit for our players, and keep rugby affordable and accessible for everyone.”

He said the new kit will be revealed in the first game of the season on April 11.

Tauranga Sports Club, a community-led club formed in 1988, runs multiple programmes from junior teams through to seniors, as well as touch rugby and netball competitions.

The funding will replace worn-out uniforms for all three senior rugby teams (Premier, Development and Colts) at once, making it easier for the club to maintain a professional and consistent appearance.

Captain Tāmiro Armstrong sports the old kit in the 2025 Baywide Premier final v Whakarewarewa.

Premier head coach Mat Black said there was always a buzz among the players when the club was able to obtain new uniforms.

“And the modern-day jerseys certainly give the players that extra air of confidence,” he said.

The new jerseys will be used during training, matches, and tournaments, giving players confidence on the field while reducing the financial burden on the club and its members.

Tauranga Sports hooker Sione Tupou in the kit set to be replaced for the upcoming season.

The NZ Community Trust is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand.

In 2024 and 2025, the trust awarded more than $38 million through 1992 grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the arts, and cultural activities.

Zoe Blake is a journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post.