One of Hawke’s Bay’s favourite sons Jarrod Cunningham generously gave significant funds to launch a trust to promote sport in Hawke’s Bay and motivate greater participation in sport by our region’s youth.

Jarrod was a successful professional rugby player who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease. When he passed away, it was his wish to ensure that youth in Hawke’s Bay had access to sport and that they could compete to the highest level.

The Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust was set up in 2007 and since then over $150,000 has gone back into the local community and the nurturing of our sport talent.

How do we support youth, sports and our future sports stars?

Each year the Trust makes contributions in a range of ways based on promoting physical activity (sport & recreation) to youth and assisting local athletes to perform on the international stage.

Current initiatives we support:

  • Jarrod Cunningham Sports Academy @ Havelock North High School
  • Paora Winitana and Paul Henare Basketball Academy
  • Junior Rugby Development in association with the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union
  • Sport HB STARS Programme which provides funding support to Hawke’s bay athletes representing New Zealand. To apply for this funding visit http://www.sporthb.net.nz/funding-1/stars
  • Talent Development – financially supporting some elite athletes such as swimmer Bobbi Gichard