Support from miniature apple grower helps Hastings boxing club punch higher
Hastings-based company Rockit Global - known for its snack-sized apples - is packing another powerful punch, this time through a partnership with a local boxing academy.
Rockit will help fund the Hastings Giants' move to their new "bigger and better" home within Mitre 10 Park, Hawke’s Bay, where it will continue its life-changing work with young people.
Founder Craig McDougall, who set up the academy in 2015, says Giants – a subsidiary of the Hawke’s Bay Youth Trust – isn’t just about boxing.
“It’s a tool to help youth develop excellence in all areas of life,” he says.
From conditioning to mentoring to performing, the academy specialises in helping young people achieve, working with 300-500 people a year, including via its school programmes.
“We aim to use sport and fitness as a vehicle to foster a sense of belonging,” says Craig.
“We’ve found that through Giants we can create connections with young people, teaching them discipline and respect and helping them to become active and responsible members of the community.”
Craig McDougall (right) with Giants members Saili Fiso (left) and Waiatatia Devine. Photo/Supplied.
McDougall says he’s very grateful for Rockit’s sponsorship, now into its second year.
“This is a wonderful local brand doing awesome things internationally and at home, and from a values perspective, their messaging sits really well with us. We look forward to bedding in this relationship further for our local people.”
He says moving from Eastbourne Street in Hastings to Mitre 10 Park will help cement the academy’s place within a sporting community focused on growing grassroots sports as a way of building relationships.
“Our mission is to help young people and their whānau live lives they value,” says Craig. “Boxing is just the invitation through which we are able to help write a foundational chapter in the lives of these young people.”
He says once they’re interested in the boxing aspect of what the academy offers, conversations can flow. “Kids just want a safe place to hang out. Once they come here, we can then start teaching them about wider life skills - about fitness, about manners. We help give them the tools and the bravery to write their own chapters.”
With bravery a key brand value of Rockit Global Limited, the team at the snack-sized apple company taking on the world one small bite at a time had no hesitation in pledging support for the academy.
General Manager Global Marketing, Julian Smith, says Rockit couldn’t be prouder to give back to its local community through Giants Boxing.
“It is such an amazing organisation. The ethos is a perfect match to our own Rockit values – it’s family-oriented, promotes health and wellbeing and encourages participation, progress and reaching for more.
“It also has great alignment with our company-wide marketing campaign, Ready. Set. Rockit. which encourages people to push their limits and to go further than they’ve ever gone before. We are excited to be working with Craig and his team and can’t wait to deepen the partnership as we Ready. Set. Rockit. into 2023 together!"
