August update

Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu.

Adorn the bird with feathers so it can fly.

Kia ora te whānau

As August unfolds, we're reminded of the excitement and inspiration that comes with watching athletes from around the world compete at the Olympics. Seeing their dedication and success on the world stage fills us with pride and also highlights the immense potential within the next generation of athletes. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey and to support them as they strive to reach their goals.

Looking ahead, we’re excited about our upcoming hui on 25 August at the Airport Commodore Hotel. This event is a special opportunity for our community to come together, share kai, and learn from one another. If you haven’t registered yet, please make sure to do so. A run sheet with more details about the day will be coming out in the next week or so, so keep an eye out for that. This gathering is all about whānau, and we can’t wait to connect with everyone.

In this month’s update, we’re thrilled to introduce you to some of the inspiring athletes in our Tātai Whetū whānau. You’ll meet Henry King and Lucy Reeve, two Mid-Canterbury students who are growing into strong leaders both on and off the field, thanks to the support of our program. We’ll also share Maddie Foster’s story as she prepares to head to the USA on a scholarship, reflecting on how Tātai Whetū has helped her along the way. And finally, we’ll celebrate Dormay Laufiso’s recent recognition at the Canterbury Pacific Youth Awards, and Lauren Sheere’s incredible achievements on the international stage.

Our athletes continue to set high standards, and we look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Let's keep celebrating our successes, supporting one another, and striving for excellence together.

Ngā mihi nui,

Ged, Tayla, and Poppie

Mid-Canty Magic

Mid-Canterbury is home to a thriving sports community, with young athletes determined to make their mark both on and off the field. Two such athletes are Henry King and Lucy Reeve, head boy and head girl at Mount Hutt College, who are benefiting from the Tātai Whetū program. Thanks to the backing of sponsors like Heartland Bank, these athletes have the opportunity to grow not just in their respective sports, but also as leaders in their community.

Henry King: Stronger in every way

Henry King is no stranger to the challenges and rewards that come with high-level sport. Now in his second year with Tātai Whetū, he credits the programme with significantly improving both his physical and mental game.

“I reckon it's helped me improve a lot,” Henry said. “On the field, I've developed more leadership skills by talking to everyone, and I’ve definitely gotten bigger and stronger.”

The programme’s influence extends beyond the rugby field. Henry has found that the support offered by Tātai Whetū has also improved his overall well-being. “Off the field, I'm eating lots more and putting on weight. It's made me more successful in rugby,” he said.

One of the key aspects of the programme that Henry finds valuable is the mental preparation techniques he has learned. “Pregame nerves are always there, but I’ve learned techniques like breathing exercises that really help. I’ve been able to take that back to my school teams and share it with the boys,” Henry said.

His experience in Tātai Whetū has not only bolstered his performance but also his leadership skills. “It’s making me more knowledgeable, and I can share that with the team. It’s kind of made me a bit of a captain,” he said.

Reflecting on the impact of sports on his life, Henry sees the larger picture. “Playing rugby puts you in a place where people look up to you. Especially at school, where the younger boys, who might have been in trouble before, now look up to us,” he said. “It’s cool to help them get back on track.”

For Henry, being part of Tātai Whetū and leading his school’s rugby team are closely intertwined. “It’s pretty cool because Lucy and I have known each other for a while, and we can bounce ideas off each other. Doing this together makes it even better,” he said.

Lucy Reeve: Leadership through learning

Lucy Reeve, a budding cyclist new to the Tātai Whetū program, brings a fresh perspective. Eager to grow both as an athlete and a leader, she sees the program as an opportunity to build on her strengths and address her weaknesses.

“Nerve management strategies, visualisation, and all those mental skills – they help you have a better performance overall,” Lucy said. “Plus, there’s the nutrition support. I’ve realised that while I might eat whatever I want now, there are foods that could help or hinder my performance.”

Lucy is also excited about the diverse environment that Tātai Whetū offers. “Being around like-minded people is great. The program brings together athletes from different sports, and you can learn a lot from how other sports operate,” she said.

As someone who has already taken on significant leadership roles at school, Lucy is particularly interested in how the skills she develops in sport can translate to other areas of her life. “Sport has made me realise a lot about myself – my strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “As a leader, it’s important to know those going forward. I’ve always found that I’m a good communicator, and that’s helped me in my leadership role at school.”

Lucy’s involvement in Tātai Whetū, alongside Henry, is something she values deeply. “It’s pretty cool how it worked out that we got in together. I think it shows that to be a good leader and a good sports person, you sometimes need to do both,” she said.

Heartland Bank and Sport Canterbury help nurture home-grown talent

The opportunity for these Mid-Canterbury athletes to participate in the Tātai Whetū programme is made possible in large part by the support of Heartland Bank and Sport Canterbury. With roots stretching back to Ashburton in 1875, Heartland Bank is proud to give back to the Mid-Canterbury community and get behind talented rangatahi like Henry and Lucy. Without such backing, athletes just like Henry and Lucy might not have the chance to access the resources and guidance that Tātai Whetū provides.

Through Tātai Whetū, Henry and Lucy are not only honing their skills in rugby and athletics but are also becoming stronger leaders in their community. As they continue to grow and face new challenges, the lessons they learn in the programme will undoubtedly shape their futures, both on the field and beyond.

For Mid-Canterbury, the future looks bright with young leaders like Henry King and Lucy Reeve, who are not just athletes, but role models for their peers and the community at large.

Dormay Laufiso shines at Canterbury Pacific Youth Awards

At Tatai Whetu, we’re always proud to see our athletes succeed, not just in sports but in all areas of their lives. Earlier this year, Dormay Laufiso was honored with the "Sporting Game Changer Award" at the Canterbury Pacific Youth Awards. The award was presented by Julyan Falloon, Chief Executive of Sport Canterbury. Dormay was also nominated in the Mana Leadership Award and Charities/Volunteer Award categories.

Dormay was recognised for her dedication to everything she takes on—whether it’s academic studies, sports, or cultural activities. Her ability to give her best in every area is something we really admire.

"It was a pleasure to support the ‘Sporting Game Changer’ Award, recognising athletes who embody exceptional skills, dedication, and commitment to fair play and teamwork both on and off the sports field," said Julyan Falloon.

We’re excited to see Dormay’s hard work acknowledged in this way, and we know she’ll continue to do great things both in her sport and beyond.

Ka rawe, Dormay. We’re really proud of you.

Maddie flies to success

As Ashburton athlete Maddie Foster prepares to leave for the USA on a scholarship, we’re so excited to see her continue her journey. Another mid-Canterbury athlete supported by Heartland Bank, Maddie’s enthusiasm is clear, and she recently shared how much the program has helped her get ready for this new chapter.

"I just wanted to thank the program for all the support on my journey. It’s really helped me get ready for what’s ahead," Maddie said. The resources and guidance she received through Tātai Whetū have been key in building her confidence and preparing her for the challenges ahead.

Maddie’s mum, Carmen, also expressed her gratitude for the support her daughter has received. "Words honestly cannot express our thanks for the help and support she has received—she could not have progressed mentally and physically and gained the knowledge she has without this support."

As Maddie embarks on this exciting adventure, we’re confident that she’s well-prepared with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed. We’ll be cheering her on from back home and are excited to see all that she will achieve.

Safe travels, Maddie, and best of luck in the USA!

Bouncing success in Portugal

Lauren Sheere has done it again! In the Portugal Championships in July, Lauren took out the 17 - 22 Individual Gold and a team Silver from the ScalabisCup, Santarem.

The ScalabisCup is an International event, open to all clubs affiliated in the respective Federations as well as Representatives of National Federations, District or Regional Associations. This annual event is a competition, able to provide to the gymnasts, clubs and federations the opportunity to compete at a high level, and to be a challenging and motivating moment.

It’s fantastic to see Lauren achieving such success internationally.

Location change for our hui

Preparations are well underway for our inaugural hui set to take place on 25 August from 9 AM to 4 PM.

This will now take place at the Commodore Airport Hotel.

This will be an incredible day and a chance for athletes, parents, and coaches to get together. Our expert speakers include Ilia Lindsay, Conrad Goodhew, Jess Moulds, Anna Simsic, and Richard Smith, who will provide valuable insights on topics such as wellbeing, coaching, nutrition, and athlete life.

This hui is designed for all parents, coaches, and athletes, with attendance being compulsory for athletes. It is also a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and support one another. Please RSVP below to confirm your attendance. A detailed itinerary will be shared soon. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge and support our athletes' journey to excellence.

*Athletes - let Ged know if there’s a valid reason that you can’t make it such as sport competition etc.

Find us on socials

Social media is a great way to promote athlete successes and share what it's like to be part of our crew. Our posts are all about celebrating wins, and shouting out the hard work behind the scenes. 

We’d love your help. When you're posting about your sports journey or the awesome support you get from us, give us a tag. It helps more people find out about the cool stuff we're doing together. And don't forget to encourage your mates to follow us too. 

The bigger our online whānau gets, the better our chances are of scoring more funding to keep doing what we love. Let's make some noise and spread the word about Tatai Whetu Waitaha – it's all about supporting each other and growing together.

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Athlete feedback

We’re continuing to gather some feedback on the programme from our athletes. This will help us to identify where we are doing well, where we can do better, and how we are making a difference. We really appreciate the time taken, and this makes a big difference to how many we can help in the future.

If you’re an athlete or a parent, please fill out this survey below. This is really helpful for our programme leaders and allows us to support more athletes and ensure what we deliver is really targeted. Every athlete needs to do this survey.

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

As always, we're immensely grateful for your support in our journey. Together, we're making a real difference in the lives of these exceptional athletes.

Nāku iti nei,

Tātai Whetū Waitaha