Tauranga Crossing's first $5,000 Local Legends grant has been awarded to the Bay of Plenty Coast Rowing Club.

The submission, made by club secretary Wendy Campbell, spoke of the club's recent challenges due to Covid-19.

During the recent lockdown period the club suffered a number of financial setbacks, including two major vandalism events, the second of which was attempted arson on the rowing club house.

'During lockdown there weren't people around the rowing club,” says club president Gerry Carver. 'We had some local boys wanting to have some fun which resulted in attempted arson as well as throwing one of our older boats into the river that we had to then chop up.

'We are so thankful for this $5,000 as it takes a great deal of pressure off us. Every little bit helps to keep the morale up.

'With the club being closed during lockdown, that meant we could not recruit therefore we could not generate an income for the club,” says Gerry.

'People have lost their jobs due to Covid so it has put stress on everyone resulting in less people being able to volunteer as well as members leave the club as they can no longer afford fees,” says Wendy.

'Lots of nominations for our first Local Legends Grant were received but one of the things that really resonated with all of the judges was the reach that the Bay of Plenty Coast Rowing Club has,” says Tauranga Crossing Assistant Centre Manager, Janet Vincent.

'It's a club that is enjoyed by many people, including lots of families.”

The awarded $5,000 will go towards purchasing new megaphones, specially designed for rowing, and which are vital for all six of the club's safety boats.

Wendy had written in their submission that rowers face the "wrong" way when rowing and rely on the safety boat driver to alert the crew to any oncoming peril such as another boat not obeying the Coast Guard rules or a tree floating in the water after a storm.

"Currently, our coaches have to shout to be heard above the engine noise, which is a risk in an emergency.

"This $5,000 takes pressure off us as we are always trying to find funding. Now that Covid-19 has happened, sports clubs are seeming to miss out as we aren't a big issue in the scheme of things,” says Wendy.

The new megaphones will be ordered soon, arriving in time for the club's peak training season.

Tauranga Crossing's next $5,000 Local Legend grant will be awarded in October. For more information and to nominate your community club or team visit https://www.taurangacrossing.co.nz/news/local-legends