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An Introduction An introduction The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund An Introduction Chris Kennings Peter Dolan Mel Firmin The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund has been established in conjunction with the North Harbour Rugby Union to provide transparency for donations and as a long term initiative developed for the benefit of North Harbour Rugby – now and into the future. The Fund will be made up of donations and bequests by fundraising within the North Harbour community. Management of the Fund is under the control of an independent Board consisting of three Trustees, being one North Harbour Rugby Union Life Member nominated by the North Harbour Rugby Union Board, an independent North Harbour Rugby Union Board member and one other nomination made by the North Harbour Rugby Union Board. The current Trustees are: Chris Kennings, Peter Dolan and Mel Firmin. Page 1 Strategic objectives The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund Strategic Objectives The strategic objectives of the North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund are as follows:- ⊲ To help promote and grow rugby in the community. ⊲ To assist North Harbour rugby clubs achieve their objectives. ⊲ To assist in getting young people active in rugby at all levels. ⊲ To promote a culture of philanthropy in the rugby community for future generations. Page 2 How your donations will be utilised The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund How your Donations will be Utilised The immediate focus of the Fund is to raise funds for the North Harbour Rugby Union’s shareholding in The Blues franchise. As the Fund has been established for the long term benefit of North Harbour rugby, future donations and bequests will be used for: ⊲ Community rugby initiatives ⊲ Other strategic investment opportunities which meet the Fund’s objectives ⊲ Sports equipment Donations cannot be used for the administrative or operational purposes of the North Harbour Rugby Union. All of the Trust’s Funds will be managed by the Trustees independently from the North Harbour Rugby Union Page 3 Why we need a stake in The Blues The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund Why We Need a Stake in The Blues Whilst the North Harbour Rugby Union was established during the amateur era, it was set up with the intention of having a permanent seat at the top table of rugby in New Zealand. The aim was always to create more opportunities for our players and fans. The advent of professional rugby has seen a change in the aspirational pathway for players – from Rippa Rugby, to schools, to clubs, to provincial unions, to franchises, and ultimately to the All Blacks. North Harbour has an incredible track record as one of the best rugby nurseries in the country. For example, in 2013 we have had three All Blacks, three players in the All Black Sevens, and three players in the New Zealand Under-20s team. We can’t afford to be left standing at the provincial union goal posts with talent like that. It’s essential that we have a stake in franchise rugby and this is our opportunity. Ownership of The Blues will support North Harbour’s longer term strategy in many different ways. It will strengthen the aspirational pathway for players, coaches and administrators, with access to a high performance structure. It will provide Harbour fans with the opportunity to own and support ‘their team’ from club, to province, to franchise, to All Blacks. It will increase utilisation of the region’s first class facilities such as North Harbour Stadium and Millennium Institute. Very importantly, it will improve financial returns from professional rugby through dividends, a strengthened balance sheet, collaborative commercial initiatives and business efficiency through shared services. Page 4 The Blues opportunity The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund The Blues Opportunity The decision by the New Zealand Rugby Union to sell the licence to operate The Blues has provided North Harbour Rugby with the opportunity to become a genuine shareholder by owning 17.64% of the licence to manage The Blues. The Blues have been purchased by an entity called Blues LLP (Blues Limited Liability Partnership) that has secured an initial seven year licence. This entity – which will now be run separately from Auckland Rugby – is to be owned 40% by Bolton Equities (private entity), with the remaining 60% of the shares being held by Auckland Rugby (38.88%), North Harbour Rugby (17.64%) and Northland Rugby (3.48%). This new entity offers a completely new playing field for North Harbour Rugby Union’s involvement with The Blues. It will also be the first investment by the North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund. As a result of this new shareholding, a new Blues board has been appointed that includes a new independent chairman Tony Carter, new investor Murray Bolton, ex-North Harbour Chairman Laurie Margrain, current North Harbour Chairman John Morgan, Glenn Wahlstrom and Gary Whetton from Auckland Rugby Union. There will also be a new independent CEO appointed, which is a significant change from the old structure where The Blues CEO also filled the same role for Auckland Rugby. Page 5 An Investment for the Future The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund An Investment for the Future Whilst no contribution to the North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund is too small there is also a unique investment opportunity for individuals or businesses wishing to make larger contributions towards the future of the North Harbour Rugby Union. There are two distinctive investment packages available, and in return for these larger donations, you or your business will receive selected benefits running over a 2 year period. These benefits include tickets to all North Harbour and Blues home games over two seasons and indefinite acknowledgement by the North Harbour Rugby Board for your support. Gold Package Investment - $20,000 one-off donation ⊲ 4 Blues Season Tickets - 2 Seasons ⊲ 4 NHR Season tickets - 2 Seasons ⊲ 2 people in a Corporate Box (Blues @ North Harbour Stadium - 2 Seasons) ⊲ Acknowledgement on North Harbour Honours Board at Union Offices ⊲ Acknowledgement in Annual Report - indefinitely Silver Package Investment - $10,000 one-off donation ⊲ 2 Blues Season Tickets - 2 Seasons ⊲ 2 NHR Season tickets - 2 Seasons ⊲ Acknowledgement on North Harbour Honours Board at Union Offices ⊲ Acknowledgement in Annual Report - indefinitely Page 6 How to donate To donate simply fill in and return this form. No amount is too small and if you wish, regular donations are welcomed. Those who are contemplating large donations or bequests should contact the North Harbour Rugby Union directly (contact details at the bottom of the page). North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund Donation I would like to support the North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund Name: Address: Phone: Email: My donation: $ I would like my donation to remain anonymous I would like to set up a regular donation by automatic payment $ If paying by cheque: Please make cheques payable to NHRU Endowment Fund If paying by direct credit: NHRU Endowment Fund ASB Bank Acct No. 12 3107 0080008 00 Ref: (Your surname/organisation) If paying by credit card: Visa Mastercard AMEX Card No. Name on card: Expiry date: Signature: Receipts will be issued for all donations For more information on The North Harbour Rugby Endowment Fund visit: www.harbourrugby.co.nz or contact: Brett Hollister - Chief Executive, North Harbour Rugby Union Ph: 09 447 2102 or 0274 960 119 or Email: [email protected] Page 7.
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