Nike Football In The Gap brings football to quake affected Christchurch city block via Us Sydney

Hundreds of players and fans turned out in Christchurch on Monday for the launch of Nike Football In The Gap – a free community football pitch that fills one of the many vacant ‘gaps’ between buildings in the quake affected CBD via Us Sydney.

Us Sydney and Nike collaborated with Rebuild Christchurch and other local partners to transform the disused block into a playable football pitch. The initiative was launched to coincide with the first All Whites match in Christchurch since the quake. All Whites players and the New Zealand futsal team were on hand to watch a 5-a-side tournament featuring amateur players recruited from Nike Football New Zealand Facebook and the Christchurch football community.

Click here to visit the Nike Football NZ Facebook page.

Inspired by the Rebuild Christchurch movement, Nike Football In The Gap uses football as a way to create a new, positive space for the recovering city. It’s hoped the pitch will also help to attract people back into the CBD ‘red zone’, an area that up until recently has been out of bounds due to damaged infrastructure. The pitch was officially handed over to the people of Christchurch on Monday and will remain open for an extended period for anyone who loves football to come and play.

Says Paul Faulkner, Nike pacific managing director: “This is a great opportunity for us to share our true passion and ongoing support for Football. It all starts here, in these communities, with a common place for footballers to belong.”

Says Christy Peacock, Us Sydney executive creative director: “This gives young footballers a way to take back their city, kick-by-kick, game-by-game. We’re proud to be a part of giving back to this great football community that has lost so much.”

Nike

Managing Director Nike Pacific: Paul Faulkner

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