Supporting generations of whānau to thrive in sport and recreation

Ōtautahi Sports Association is more than just a traditional sports club.

Based in the central city, the organisation is strengthening its ties to the community and supporting generations of whānau to participate in sport and cultural activities.

The club offers rugby, netball, softball, touch, and tag teams to its registration base, which has grown to almost 700 members. It also delivers cultural activities such as a Whānau Hauora programme, including mahi toi, waiata practice, Te Reo Māori initiatives, and Matariki events.

Many of the organisation's early members participated in the Māori Trade Training Scheme, bonding through their inaugural rugby team and helping to grow the kaupapa to what it is today, a whānau-focused hub of sports, recreation, and culture.

“We have a long, rich history with Rehua Marae, and that is through the whakapapa of the Māori Trade Training kaupapa because a lot of our members originated from that marae,” says Aromia Merito, Co-Chair of Ōtautahi Sports Association.

The club's popularity can be seen in the 48 percent increase in its membership numbers since 2020. With their registered members, 130 volunteers, and whānau involvement, the wider community associated with the club is now in the thousands. Māori and Pasifika numbers have also increased, which Aromia attributes to their focus on whanaungatanga and manaakitanga.

“Our kaupapa is heavily fostered on whanaungatanga and manaakitanga and what that means for our whānau who have come from the North Island,” says Aromia.

"It's that sense of belonging; You're away from your iwi, you're away from your hapū, and you're away from your whānau. So they're looking for that connection to home, and that's what our rugby club started from.”

Division two rugby coach Corey Te Rupe says he grew up around Ōtautahi Sports, as his father was an early member of the club.

"I love the camaraderie,” says Corey. "I've made lifelong friends who I consider whānau through the club.”

With its focus on whānau and community, Ōtautahi Sports is proud to be home to four generations of whānau. During the 2022/2023 softball season, the Merito and Hepi whānau celebrated their great-mokopuna taking the field as fourth-generation members.

The Merito whānau has fifty-four years of association with Ōtautahi Sports, having been founding members of the rugby club in 1969, while the Hepi whānau joined in the 1970s and have since had their tamariki and mokopuna participate in every sport available.

As well as nurturing existing relationships, Ōtautahi Sports has formed new relationships as it has grown, collaborating with He Waka Tapu and Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka at Ngā Hau e Whā. The club's focus on community enables it to forge new relationships through member connections and word of mouth.

Ōtautahi Sports recognises cost is the most significant barrier to people wanting to engage in sports and cultural activities. Aromia notes the current financial climate as a pressure point for many whānau. She says the club always fundraises to help remove the cost barriers to participation through events such as hāngi, quiz nights, kai raffles, and venue hire.

Rātā Foundation supports Ōtautahi Sports' important kaupapa, and Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the club's impact will be felt for generations to come.

"Involvement in sport, active recreation, and cultural activities has many benefits for communities, but we know some people face barriers that make participation more challenging,” says Leighton.

"Ōtautahi Sports is working to actively remove barriers, ensuring more people have access to sport and opportunities for cultural connection. The mahi they are doing today will have a lasting impact on the future of Christchurch communities.”

While Ōtautahi Sports is fortunate to have been gifted a Māori name by Ngāi Tahu as mana whenua, Aromia says it is not a sports club exclusively for Māori and Pasifika whānau and their doors are open to anyone who wishes to join.

Aromia says, "We're here for everybody. We welcome anybody and everybody, but we are kaitiaki of the name Ōtautahi Sports, affectionately known as OT for short.”