CLM announced as key sport and recreation provider in Counties Manukau

Auckland Sport & Recreation (Aktive) has announced facility manager Community Leisure Management (CLM) as a ‘significant delivery partner’ for The Auckland Approach to Community Sport initiative in Counties Manukau.

Aktive Chief Executive Dr Sarah Sandley says the appointment of CLM as a significant provider will enhance sport and recreation in the area, stating "community is at the cornerstone of Aktive and The Auckland Approach to Community Sport - that’s why we have an absolute commitment to work with our partners and produce results for local communities.

"CLM is a highly credible entity and we’re looking forward to building our relationship with its award-winning team who will help develop key participation initiatives with local communities in the mission-critical Counties Manukau area."

With 110 employees and a management group, most of whom are local to Counties Manukau, CLM Chief Executive Craig Carter says the team is motivated to make a difference in its home community.

Carter explains "like so many of our team, I grew up in Counties Manukau - we’re passionate about this area and have a strong personal interest in boosting sport and recreation opportunities for our people.

"We’re committed to using all our skills, resources and infrastructure to help address issues of declining participation in Counties Manukau. Our team is keen to work closely with Aktive and get stuck in."

Research released last year by Sport NZ showed a 7.7% drop in national adult participation between 1998 and 2014. This decline was noticeably profound among Maori (down 8.8%) and Pasifika (down 11.4%), communities which are particularly concentrated in South Auckland.

In the last three financial years, Aktive has significantly increased direct local investment in to Counties Manukau; this figure is expected to rise further.

Aktive Chair Raewyn Lovett says as the regional strategic leader Aktive is responsible for the investment of public funds through delivery partners so results are imperative.

Lovett states "Aktive’s efforts and investment in the Counties Manukau area will continue to increase. We are confident in the partnership with CLM, an organisation with strong leadership and high professional standards, whose team will work to increase participation through boosting local delivery capability.”

To deliver agreed initiatives in the partnership, CLM is moving fast to recruit qualified people who reflect the diverse community, with Carter adding “we are employing at least eight people to focus on working with the community in the areas of coaching, sector development/spaces and places, and young people.

"With comprehensive infrastructure already in place, our administration costs are minimal - this means more money hitting the ground and making a positive difference for the people of Counties Manukau."

CLM has been operating in the area for over 20 years and comes with a proven track record - it has the Auckland Council contract to run three of its South Auckland facilities and has already run several projects in Counties Manukau, including the Active Youth programme in Papakura and Otahuhu.

This local activity will continue to be supplemented by regional programmes such as Talent Leadership Character (TLC), the Greater Auckland Aquatic Action Plan (GAAAP), He Oranga Poutama, regional KiwiSport and Pathway to Podium to Counties Manukau children and young athletes.

A fully independent local KiwiSport Advisory Group with an independent Chair has been recently recruited to make recommendations on investment applications made to the Counties Manukau KiwiSport Fund.

In addition, applications for a one-year Regional Sports Director contract with College Sport Auckland recently closed. This appointment will focus on developing secondary school sport in Counties Manukau. 

Aktive - Auckland Sport & Recreation is a charitable trust with the vision to make Auckland the world’s most active city.

For more information go to www.aktive.org.nz

Images: AFL in Counties Manukau (top, courtesy of AFLNZ) and Craig Carter (below).

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