Katikati Football Club has been left devastated, angry and heartbroken after newly purchased goal structures at Moore Park were damaged overnight last Friday.

Katikati Football Club vice president Zadin Young, who is also the club’s groundman, believes the vandalism occurred between 8.30pm on Thursday, March 5, and 6am on Friday, March 6.

“Our brand new goals have been vandalised, the nets destroyed, wheels stolen, and goal frames damaged.”

Young said seven goals in total had been damaged ahead of the upcoming winter football season, which kicks off the first weekend of Term 2.

The goals were purchased last August after the club received funding via grants from the Grassroots Trust and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Community Matching Fund.

“We purchased these goals for our entire football whānau [family] to use and enjoy, and now they must be repaired,” Young said.

Goal nets were cut by vandals overnight last Friday at Moore Park. Photo / Merle Cave

He estimated the cost of the repair work to be worth more than $2500 in total – and would most likely have to be footed from the club’s limited resources.

Young says the club does have insurance on assets and he is now investigating whether it would cover the damage.

“That means our members – mostly children – could miss out on vital equipment for the upcoming season,” said Young, who also coaches two junior teams.

“We cannot overstate how much this hurts our humble club. One selfish act of vandalism could mean hundreds of our members miss out.”

Young said the vandalism was a huge blow to the club, which had roughly 300 players on its books last season.

“[We feel] Devastated – it’s not just the face value of the money gone, it’s the two years of chasing grants to make this happen and countless hours that our committee and our volunteers have put in to make it happen.

“Plus, we feel really bad for the community because they have helped fund these goals.”

Young said the damaged goals would have been used by Grade 6 players right through to the club’s social men’s team this coming season.

“So it will affect children aged 5-6 through to adults aged 65-plus. It affects our entire club – and we’re in the midst of ramping up for the upcoming football season right now.

“We’re about two-three weeks away from forming teams.”

The damage had been reported to Katikati Police. Young said the club had experienced vandalism in the recent past and he was concerned it was repeat offenders.

“We want anyone who knows anything about how last weekend’s damage occurred or the perpetrators to contact Katikati Police station.”