Tauranga and Western Bay athletes and musicians are continuing to be supported with funding from local organisations.

The Adastra Foundation has given out more than $2,500,000 worth of support since it was established, with $24,000 from TECT, specifically for supporting promising young athletes and performers in Tauranga and the Western Bay this year.

The Adastra Foundation, which assists extraordinary young New Zealanders on the national and international stage by providing financial and mentoring support, held a function this month with local supporters TECT, Craigs Investment Partners, and The University of Waikato.

Guest speaker Sam Dakin, who recently won a bronze medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in the Team Sprint for Track Cycling, talked about pathways in performance, mindset, mental health and also transferable skills in the workplace developed as an elite athlete.

He is the co-founder of Podium Recruit, an athlete-focused recruitment company.

Sam also spoke about his newly developed business, Slow Coffee Roasting, which is being launched now he has returned from his recent overseas campaign.

Other guest speakers included local Liam Ryan, keyboardist from The Narcs and a huge influence in the music industry.

He talked about the adaptability required in a career in the music and performance industry is like 'dancing on a magic carpet” and there can be many forks in the road to success.

Liam Ryan speaking at Adastra Function.

Glen Jackson, former professional rugby union player and New Zealand rugby referee, and now in the coaching team for Fijian Drua Rugby, spoke about his sporting and professional career and the opportunities which have come from it.

In attendance were 20 of the athletes, musicians and arts performers supported by The Adastra Foundation and TECT as part of the 2022 scholarship programme. Representatives from schools, arts organisations, trustees and sponsors were part of the audience.

Some of the local scholarship TECT-funded recipients include Lulu Johnson, Triathlon, who spoke on her recent overseas campaign; Nensi Patel, Cricket; Quinn Boyle, Open Water Swimming; Amber Daisley, Dance; Casey Ward, Wakeboarding; and Waru Taoho, Musician, who delivered the karakia.

The Adastra programme, which includes financial support and mentoring sessions, has been running in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions since 2007.

It aims to support exceptional young adults who are striving to achieve ambitious goals in sport, music and the performing arts. The mentoring sessions are a fundamental part of the programme, designed to reflect the unique needs of the recipients who are typically transitioning to the next level of their chosen discipline and a new level of independence.

Topics covered in the sessions include communication and building relationships, sponsorship, growing confidence, nutrition and performance psychology.

Mark Arundel speaking at Adastra function.

TECT Trustee Mark Arundel is impressed by the caliber of young talent and looks forward to hearing of their triumphs in the near future.

'I'm in awe of the achievements, dedication, and commitment of so many young recipients, along with the inspiring and uplifting presentations. Adastra certainly has a proud record evidenced in its ‘Hall of Fame'.

'All those supported by Adastra will contribute hugely to our communities, including providing us proud Kiwis with opportunities to ‘bask in the reflected glow of their successes' in sport, music, and arts.”

Applications for 2023 scholarships are now open to athletes, musicians, and arts performers in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region, between the ages of 16 and 23.

Applications can be made online in August online at https://adastra.org.nz/apply-now/.

-By Emma Niven.