TRIDENT High School students have support to get them to the NZ Secondary School National Winter Tournament.

The New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) has granted $17,432 to the school to cover travel costs for 113 students to attend the tournament.

The Winter Tournament is a significant event in the school’s sporting calendar, allowing students to compete against peers nationwide and hone their skills.

Students train year-round and eagerly anticipate this competition.

’With this NZCT grant, our hockey, basketball, football, netball, and underwater hockey teams will now be able to travel across the country to their various tournaments as part of the NZ Secondary School Winter Tournament week in September,” said the school’s sport coordinator, Stephanie Walker.

“It will greatly reduce the cost for many of our students who would otherwise be unable to compete at this important tournament.

“Ka nui te mihi ki te roopu o NZCT. This funding will give us the opportunity to pursue higher sporting opportunities without the pressures of players and whānau worrying about the financial side,” said Mike Te Kurapa, coach and head of basketball.

NZCT’s general manager of grants, marketing and communications, Ben Hodges, said tournament sport was not just about the on-field competition: “It’s about taking young people away from their normal routines and comfort zones.

“We are thrilled to support Trident High School and are grateful for the responsible gaming fundraising partnership we enjoy with Cobb and Co Whakatane that made this grant possible.”