About us

ReSport is a Not-for-Profit registered Charitable Trust: CC61597
We are enabling more play through the recycling of donated sports goods.
Find out more about what we do and why we do it.

Our Why

ReSport exists to remove barriers to participation for individuals, whānau and community groups to engage in quality sporting experiences, by reducing financial barriers and providing support through community engagement, whilst caring for our environment at the same time.

What we do

Collect new and gently used sports gear and equipment to share these resources to people in need throughout Northland, reducing the environmental impact of textile waste.

How we do it

Stakeholders donate equipment to ReSport Pātaka and Depot to sort and share within Northland communities through sports and community partnerships.

Our impact

We empower people to be equipped to engage in sporting experiences, enhancing their purpose, connection, health and wellbeing, while taking care of our environment.

Making a difference

ReSport Charitable Trust is successfully redistributing preloved sports gear to Northlanders in need, while reducing the impact of textile waste in landfill.

4308
Items Collected
1854
Items Distributed
5283
Textiles Recovered

OurStory

ReSport was founded by JP Dignon and Joey Yovich in 2021 on their way to support a local charity fundraising event held in the Bay of Islands.

Both JP and Joey are passionate Northlanders who come from humble beginnings. They are philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and transformational leaders in their capacities.

For more than 17 years, this powerful sports-centric duo has given significant amounts of time, resources and heart to local communities and various charities across Northland.

Our five trustees JP Dignon, Joey Yovich, Jeremy Tauri, Craig Crawford, Anna Hewitt and our Project Lead Sharon Gibson, are all big believers in play and recreation. They know the value of contribution and that driving equitable outcomes across social, economic, and well-being platforms can only be a good thing for the benefit of Northlanders.

Our Logo

Our logo symbolises everything that ReSport stands for - empowering our whānau to reach their full sporting potential, uninhibited by the barriers that face so many.

The Koru pattern symbolises growth and new beginnings. We have used this as the base for our logo, which features a stylised generic sports ball shape housing a figure along with two helping hands.

Our Language

ReSport use intentional language symbolic of the deeper meaning behind our kaupapa. Our intention is to shift mindsets as part of our education to change our narrative and behaviours.
Pātaka is preferred over bin, as there is a preconception that rubbish
goes into a bin. W of contribution and that driving equitable outcomes across social, economic, and well-being platforms can only be a good thing for the benefit of Northlanders.

Meet theTeam

JP Dignon
Settlor

Since JP founded the CDL Group, it has grown into one of Northland’s leading outsourcing partners for businesses, becoming a widely known reputable brand. Since it's inception, the CDL Group has grown their portfolios across multiple sectors from security, building compliance, fire safety, facilities maintenance, records management, creative industries to health and wellbeing.

JP’s time as CEO, is currently invested in building businesses that will make a positive difference in their respected sectors.

Married with children, South African born JP is a tie-loathing adventurer, philanthropist and troublemaker who believes in turning ideas into reality.

Joey Yovich
Settlor

The power of sport has provided Joey with many positive opportunities, networks and connections throughout his time within the sector.

An architect by trade and social architect by nature, Joey is conscious of designing an environment that encourages innovative, holistic and recreational solutions in the community. His sporting experience has seen him evolve from amateur cricket to professional level, through to various roles in sport management and governance.

Joey is an accomplished trail blazer championing his involvement with a number of charities. He is born and bred in Whangārei, proud of his Croation descent and is currently with Sport Northland as Regional Sports Connector.

Jeremy Tauri
Trustee

Raised in Kaikohe, Jeremy moved to Whangārei at 18 to study at Northtec and has lived in Whangārei since.

He is a shareholder and Associate of Plus Chartered Accountants and has held various governance roles including chair of the Chamber of Commerce Northland, Creative Northland and the Northland Suns Basketball Trust.

He is committed to helping Northlanders and especially Māori business. Jeremy is of Ngāpuhi, NgatiManu and Ngātihine descent.

Craig Crawford
Trustee

As a participant, coach and more recently a referee, Craig believes that the variety of his sporting experiences formed the foundation of his life.

Hailing from Whakatāne, Craig considers himself a Northlander due to being raised and educated in Whangārei from the age of 9. Craig has over 35 years experience in Public Service roles within the Ministry of Justice and is currently with Accident Compensation Corporation as a Senior Injury Prevention Partner. Craig has also previously served as a Trustee for Sport Northland.

Happily married with two adult children, Craig is enthusiastic about envisioning sports opportunities offered in Te Tai Tokerau.

Anna Hewitt
Trustee

Growing up in rural Hawke’s Bay, Anna developed a strong sense of community and recognised that positive sporting experiences were often in the center of a strong community.

Anna moved to Whangārei in 2020 and is now working for Parafed Northland, creating inclusive and equitable opportunities for our community who are living with disabilities in sport.

Anna’s drive is to ensure that the Northland community has positive sporting experiences that impact community wellbeing.

Sharon Gibson
Project Coordinator

Born and raised in Northland, Sharon is a Whangārei based business owner operator in the health and wellbeing sector.

With a background in high level project event management and wellbeing facilitation, Sharon’s passion lands at bridging the gap between community engagement and resources.

Born into a sporty family, Sharon is motivated to bring the family value of sports community culture and her vast range of skills for positive social impact in Te Tai Tokerau. Sharon is Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kuta Patukeha and Ngāti Kōtarani descent.