Cromwell Swimming Club will be able to replace a broken starter thanks to a grant from the New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT).

The vital piece of kit that helps ensure a strong, fair start to any swimming race had “broken beyond repair”, and the $6,060 hand up means they can invest in a new one.

It shores up the club’s ability to continue running competitions effectively and affordably.

“Having a reliable starter ensures that we can continue to run our main annual swimming carnival event each year that attracts swimmers from around the country and is a core source of funding for the club, allowing us to keep membership prices at a reasonable rate,” club treasurer Tim Coughlan said. 

“It also means we can support neighbouring clubs like Alexandra by making the equipment available to them when needed. It’s a huge boost for a small club like ours.”

Club member 14-year-old Jessi said: “Having a new starter will really improve our performance and reaction time at competitions.”

Meanwhile club members Rian and Evie joked their dad won’t “keep making false starts” with the improvement in equipment at the starting blocks. 

NZCT grants, marketing and communications general manager Ben Hodges said the funding was made possible through strong relationships with local operators.

“We’re proud to back the club with essential equipment that helps keep events running smoothly. Grants like this wouldn’t be possible without the responsible gaming partnership we share with The Gate.”

Established in 2004, Cromwell Swimming Club plays a small but vital role in the local community, according to club leaders.

With the area surrounded by lakes and rivers, the club helps young people build strong swimming skills for both safety and sport.

NZCT is one of the largest gaming societies in New Zealand. In the 2023-2024 year it awarded more than $40 million in grants for a wide range of community services, including sports, rescue services, youth development, the arts, and cultural activities.

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