The club was one of 10 clubs around the country which each picked up $30,000 grants in the scheme.
A hefty 191 clubs applied.
Pioneer club chairman Scott Egan said it was great for the club to get the money and would mean it could put money it raised annually towards other things.
He said there was no specific project the club had come up with in its presentation for the grant and the money would go towards general maintenance.
That may be a lick of paint for some dressing rooms and fixing up general wear and tear.
"But that means we can free up the money that we now do not spend on that for other things — like new jerseys for some of our teams, pies for the kids in our teams and at presentations."
He said it was a thrill to win against so many other clubs, and paid tribute to three women on the committee, Debbie Smith, Heather Hera Black and Justine Abernethy, who put together a video for the presentation outlining the club and its role in the community.
The club was looking at becoming a community hub as it was situated near the Gore multisport complex and its facilities.
Southland representative teams also used the club fields to train.
The team had a senior men and women’s side and also 13 junior school sides, consisting of 180 children.
The junior section had grown over the past few years and was dragging children into the game, he said.
Rugby did a lot for children, he said, as young people grew and came out of their shell over a season.
The club started in 1904, so a 125th-year anniversary was being planned for five years’ time.
The grant would help set things up for the celebrations.
New Zealand Rugby community rugby general manager Steve Lancaster had seen the positive impact local rugby clubs had on their community and was looking forward to seeing the impact of the grants this year.
"Bunnings Rugby Assist is a chance to celebrate these clubs and ensure they can continue the important work that they are doing.
"Bunnings has always shown tremendous support for grassroots rugby and we’re fortunate to have them as a partner, helping rugby clubs to better serve their rugby communities," he said.
