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Sport Nation
Live sport on SN this weekendField of Dreams: Meet the four clubs in line for a game-changing turf upgrade
Sport Nation • November 13th, 2025 10:41 am
After many submissions, PGG Wrightson Turf have selected four finalists for the Field of Dreams competition, where one lucky sports club will win a game-changing turf upgrade worth up to $20,000.
Vying for that prize is North Canterbury's Cheviot Cricket Club, Christchurch's Denton Oval which is home to Hornby Rugby Football Club, Northland's Mangawhai Football Club, and the Waikato's Pirongia Rugby and Sports Club.
Details on how to vote are below - but before that, here are the submissions of our four finalists and how winning this major prize would help set up their club for the future.
Cheviot Cricket Club
The Cheviot Cricket Club boasts a rich history at the heart of the local community, with its ground once forming the front lawn of the Cheviot Hills Estate, which stretched across much of North Canterbury.
Still as picturesque as ever, it’s a favorite spot for locals to enjoy a few lemonades while watching summer cricket unfold. The ground has even hosted international fixtures, including a recent New Zealand vs Australia Over 70s ODI.
Legend has it that the first century scored here was by David Boon, touring with an Australian schoolboys side. What was meant to be his rest day became a masterclass, he insisted on playing and went on to dispatch the local bowlers in style.
Today, the outfield could use a renovation to tackle a persistent thatch problem that continues to bug our devoted head groundsman, Stu. He certainly deserves a cold one!
Field Of Dreams finalist Cheviot Cricket Club | Sport Nation
Hornby Rugby Football Club
We could talk about the big sporting moments; the Commonwealth Games, Dan Carter running out for Southbridge in his prime, or the unforgettable wins that have echoed across the years.
But those aren’t the moments that truly define our club, nor the ones that make Denton Oval special. The real magic lies in the little things.
It’s the juniors’ faces lighting up on a frosty Saturday morning, proud to play in “the stadium.”
It’s the future stars running the sidelines as ball boys, dreaming of one day wearing the senior jersey.
It’s the loyal Hornby supporters who turn up week after week, rain or shine, even when the scoreboard doesn’t go our way.
It’s breaking two-decade-long droughts against rival clubs, and all the emotion that comes with it.
Denton Oval might not have hosted the greatest sporting story ever told, but it’s home to countless small ones every single week, the kind that build a club, a community, and lifelong memories. That’s what makes the story of Denton Oval so special.
This field has given so much to our community, and we’d love to keep it that way for generations to come.
Field Of Dreams finalist Hornby Rugby Football Club | Sport Nation
Mangawhai Football Club
Our greatest sporting story isn’t written in silverware - it’s written in passion, progress, and people. Over the past year, Mangawhai Football Club has transformed from a small community team into a thriving football family.
We’ve grown our membership, launched girls’ football initiatives, introduced skill sessions and holiday camps, and even unveiled a fresh new logo that reflects the energy of our club’s direction.
Behind it all are volunteers who pour their hearts into making football accessible for everyone - coaching, fundraising, managing, line marking and inspiring kids to fall in love with the game.
Our biggest challenge, though, is the very ground we play on. Our pitch struggles to keep up with our growth; muddy patches and uneven surfaces can make even the best efforts difficult. Yet, every weekend, players still turn up smiling - boots muddy, spirits high.
This field is where our community comes together, where confidence grows, and where Mangawhai’s football future is being built.
With a turf upgrade, we can finally match the quality of our pitch to the passion of our people - and keep our greatest story growing for years to come.
Field Of Dreams finalist Mangawhai Football Club | Sport Nation
Pirongia Rugby and Sports Club
Big things are brewing on our beloved turf - and not just the rugby kind!
Our fields have seen it all: last-minute tries, surprise mud slides, sideline dance-offs, and the occasional streaking incident by people who definitely had no business streaking.
Running purely on membership fees, sponsorship, and a truckload of volunteer hours, we’re powered by heart and humour.
With 440 members (240 of them juniors), that’s impressive for a town of just 1,300 - making us the third-largest junior rugby club in the region.
Add five senior teams, including Presidents and Women’s sides, and there’s never a dull Saturday.
We’ve got plenty of stories (some best kept off record), but our biggest one is still to come - our 150th jubilee next year! Named Waikato Rugby Club of the Year, our fields buzz year-round with touch, volleyball, cricket, and school events.
An upgrade would be epic - a fitting tribute to one of the oldest, liveliest clubs in the country, and the true heartbeat of our community.
Field Of Dreams finalist Pirongia Rugby And Sports Club | Sport Nation
How Voting Works
Now that you've heard their stories, it's easy to see why each club is worthy of your vote - which one will you support in their quest to make their turf dreams come true?
- For Cheviot Cricket Club, text DREAMS CHEVIOT to 8833.
- For Hornby Rugby Football Club, text DREAMS HORNBY to 8833.
- For Mangawhai Football Club, text DREAMS MANGAWHAI to 8833.
- For Pirongia Rugby and Sports Club, text DREAMS PIRONGIA to 8833.
Text voting is open now through until November 21, closing at 6pm NZ time that day. Standard network charges apply for texts.
