Sport Northland is proud to be celebrating 25 years of getting Northlanders across the region involved in sport.

Thanks to a dedicated team and its cornerstone sponsor ASB, Sport Northland has transformed from a small organisation hindered by early financial concerns into a well-respected and financially sustainable sporting entity. The Trust has grown from a staff of three to more than 80 people working across a wide variety of programmes, events, facilities and initiatives, all designed to get more Northlanders involved in sport.

In addition to its core work of helping and supporting schools, clubs and other organisations to become more capable in sport and physical activity delivery, Sport Northland has itself worked in managing events and facilities, providing further opportunities for Northlanders to get out and get active.

Sport Northland Chief Executive Brent Eastwood says that the growth in Sport Northland’s success over the 25 years is due to the involvement of passionate people and loyal funding partners that share the same values and vision as the Trust.

“Sport Northland’s success has been built around an excellent governance board made up of passionate and committed volunteers, as well as a quality team of staff members who love their work and are good at it,” says Mr Eastwood.

“Add to this a group of loyal funders lead by major sponsor ASB and the basis of a successful organisation is laid – we thank ASB for sharing and believing in our vision for the region, and for having the foresight to invest in sporting initiatives and facilities that all Northlanders can benefit from.”

Sport Northland events
Early event success saw Sport Northland organise major events like the Oceania Table Tennis Champs and the National Waka Ama Championships. More recently the Trust took a lead role in organising the Northland volunteers for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup.

However, it is in the establishment and management and participation in local events that the trust has seen key success.

Sport Northland solely managed the Kerikeri half marathon for the first time in 2001. Now named the ASB Kerikeri Half Marathon, it is one of the region’s most iconic and successful sporting events.

In 2006 Sport Northland established the region’s first Run/Walk series – a series of seven events held throughout the region that attracts over 8,000 entries annually.

The Trust also organises four sports awards functions throughout Northland, acknowledging sporting excellence, contribution and service across all sporting codes; The Trust has run the ASB Northland Secondary School Sports Awards annually since the event’s inception in 1992, each year attracting hundreds of nominations.

Partnerships
ASB Northland regional manager Glen Hardham is delighted ASB has been in partnership with Sport Northland since the very beginning, and sees the value the organisation brings to the region.

“Throughout our 25-year partnership, ASB has believed in and championed Sport Northland’s vision to make sport accessible and enjoyable for Northlanders,” Mr Hardham says.

“We are proud of how far our partnership has come, with local ASB representatives attending and helping out at local events. Our focus on youth and schools is a great synergy, and one that continues to be a strong focus for both ASB and Sport Northland,” Mr Hardham says.

Regional development
Sport Northland also has a strong history and level of expertise in the management and development of sports facilities across the region. The Trust-owned ASB Leisure Centre was redeveloped between 1998 and 2002, and after the extension of the facility partnership with Whangarei District Council, Sport Northland also assumed ownership and undertook an extension redevelopment of the facilities at the Whangarei Aquatic Centre in 2007.

The ASB Northland Sports House was funded and constructed by Sport Northland in 2010, providing a centralised sporting environment for the Trust and 10 other sporting organisations, now co-located at Kensington Park.

Pictured

Brent Eastwood CE Sport Northland
Samantha Polovnikoff –2015 ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sportswoman of the Year
Callum Prime – 2015 ASB Northland Secondary Schools Sportsman of the Year
Glen Hardham – ASB Northland Regional Manager