About Us

The Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust is the brainchild of Brian Galt, former owner of Pak'nSave Kilbirnie, New World Miramar and New World Kilbirnie.

While on a study tour of the United States, Brian came across a simple but powerful idea. A local supermarket was donating two cents from the sale of every can of baked beans to help fund the construction of its community hospital. It demonstrated how everyday purchases could create lasting benefits for local communities—and it sparked an idea that Brian brought home to New Zealand.

A passionate supporter of sport, Brian had watched both of his children compete at the highest level in minority sports. Through this experience, he saw first-hand the financial challenges faced by many clubs, athletes and families, who were constantly fundraising simply to participate and compete.

Determined to make a difference, Brian established the Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust in 1994, personally investing a significant amount in legal and establishment costs to ensure the Trust was built on strong foundations. His commitment enabled the Trust to achieve charitable status with the Inland Revenue Department, creating an organisation that could provide long-term support for grassroots sport in Wellington's eastern suburbs.

What began with the support of two founding business partners grew into a trusted community organisation that has now distributed more than $3 million in grants to individuals, teams, schools, sporting clubs and community organisations.

Today, the Eastern Suburbs Sports Trust has entered a new chapter as an independently run charitable trust. While our governance has evolved, the original vision remains unchanged—to remove barriers to participation, support grassroots sport and invest in the people who make our community stronger.