Introducing Club Connect
28 May 2025
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Circular 25-038 Relevant for Club Officers and Management |
Clubs New Zealand is proud to launch Club Connect, a nationwide initiative in partnership with Lean on a Gate and rural wellbeing advocate Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins. Club Connect is all about building strong communities and empowering people with the tools they need to look after themselves and each other.
Club Connect events are being rolled out across the country, hosted by clubs and supported by a team of passionate people including Wiggy, Slade and local support services. With a focus on wellbeing, resilience, and connection, these events aim to reach people in rural and regional areas where the local club is the heart of the community.
The beauty of Club Connect is in its simplicity. The events are easy for clubs to host, with all the content and resources provided. But the impact? That's Huge! Empowered individuals and communities who are looking out for each other.
How Club Connect Works
We hold Club Connect events across the country. Currently these events are being held in locations identified by Clubs New Zealand and Wiggy, however, in the future clubs wishing to host an event will be able to register their interest.
We do all the background work for the event, all the host clubs needs to provide is a venue and introduce us to local services who may want to get involved i.e. Police, GPs, local service providers.
Our aim at the end of the event is to build a connection network in your club's community, we do this by offering additional training and tools to people who volunteer to become community connectors.
2025 Club Connect Events
There are 10 Club Connect events scheduled across the country. Please click here to see the schedule of upcoming Club Connect events.
How you can support Club Connect
Club Connect benefits the whole Club Community, we need everyone to become champions for Club Connect! You can show your support by:
- Attending the Club Connect events near you, whether they are hosted by your club or not.
- Spreading the word to members, let them know about Club Connect whether you are hosting an event or not.
- Donating to Club Connect.
To ensure the sustainability and reach of this initiative, Clubs New Zealand has set up a Club Connect fundraising platform. We’re inviting clubs and members to donate and help us take these vital events further into our communities.
Donations received go to helping us run Club Connect events, provide additional training in for areas and support the work of Lean on a Gate.
Resources for Clubs
To help you spread the word, we have created some posters and signage:
