Former Hawke’s Bay rugby player Jarrod Cunningham has left more than $740,000 to a new trust that will focus on promoting sport participation and retaining and motivating the regions talented young sports stars.
The announcement was made at the launch of the Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sports Trust in Hastings tonight. Cunningham died in 2007 following a five year fight with Motor Neuron disease.
Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sports Trust co-chairman Damon Harvey said Cunningham’s wish was to see youth participate in sports and achieve at the highest level. He was especially keen to see young rugby stars further their careers.
“Jarrod always had time for those keen to put in the hard yards and gave a lot of time to young rugby players at all levels and got a real kick out of their achievements,” Mr Harvey said.
The trust hopes that the generous support by Jarrod will be financially boosted by others in the community.
“The money is a great start but we want Jarrod’s legacy to continue and to do this we need the support of the business community to make the trust an ongoing success.
“Our aims are simple – to get more children participating in sport, motivating those that are thinking of giving up, to continue competing and to financially assist young sports stars that are finding it hard to continue competing,” he said.
Research shows that sport contributes positively to adolescent development and facilitates friendships and positive social relations.
It also shows that youths aged 12 to 15 years participating in sports leads to higher self-esteem and better health.
The Trustees are co-chairs Damon Harvey and Tony Maidens along with Simon Tremain, Pat Benson, Iain McLean and Jarrod’s father Milton Cunningham.
Sport Hawke’s Bay chief executive Colin Stone applauded the generosity of Cunningham and the setting up of the trust.
Sport Hawke’s Bay’s vision is for Hawke’s Bay to be regarded as New Zealand’s most active and successful region for sport and active recreation.
“The goals of the Trust align well with our vision and this is an opportunity to work together in order for young people to enhance their sporting pathway or become a more active participant,” Mr Stone said.
To give the initial fund a further boost, Jarrod also donated back to the Trust a Jeroboam (3 litre bottle) of Te Mata Coleraine 2000 signed by Sir Edmond Hillary.
