Kauri Club grant recipients named
A total of 17 athletes from 10 codes ended up receiving grants after applications were submitted to the Kauri Club from Northland Regional Sports Organisations for talented young Northland sportspeople.
Organisers noted applications were assessed by the Northland Sports Talent Development Panel made up of representatives from the Far North, Kaipara and Whangarei Districts and Sport Northland. This funding will mainly help the athletes to cover some of the many expenses incurred in travelling to events outside the region including several athletes heading overseas to represent New Zealand.
These new grants mean a total of $226,950 has been allocated to talented Northland Sportspeople since the Kauri Club was formed in 2000.
The funding was received from the family of the late Garry Frew and the Brian Maunsell Memorial Trust fund and the grants are aimed at assisting young up-and-coming athletes aged between 14 and 18 years to help them achieve their sporting goals and further their sporting pathway.
Recent Kauri Club recipient successes include Nik Kini medalling at the Oceania athletics champs, Michell Crawford winning gold on vault in Step 9 at the national gymnastic championships, Tom Robinson gaining selection for the New Zealand team which competed at the ISA Junior World Surfing Champs and Blake Williamson for selection in to the national AFL U18 team.
Panel member Arriane Christie said, “These young Northland athletes are an incredible inspiration and the fact that we can help them in any way achieve their goals is really pleasing. We wish them all the best for their sporting endeavours this year and beyond.”
In addition to the March grants, $1000 was awarded to Madison Doar, the Garry Frew Junior Sportsperson of the Year at the recently held Conbrio Northland Sports Awards.
April 2019 Kauri Club recipients: Alice McGregor (Whangarei, karate), Anna Moselen (Whangarei, squash), Brooke Fraser (Whangarei, competitive aerobics), Chay Edwards (Mid North, inline hockey), Emilia Finer (Mid North, swimming), Esdmonde Parangi (Far North, league), Jessie Taylor (Whangarei, netball), Kaleb Stevens (Mid North, tennis), Makayla Templeton (Whangarei, cricket), Mya Turner (Whangarei, touch), Nathan Parkes (Whangarei, cricket), Riley-Jack VetteBlomquist (Whangarei, squash), Rongomaiwahine Murphy (Whangarei, karate), Ryan Townsend (Whangarei, gymnastics), Te Kauwhata Kauwhata (Whangarei, surfing), Tyler Jespen (Whangarei, swimming), Zane Cooper (Mid North, inline hockey).