Kiwi youth hit the water thanks to Lion Foundation

Kiwi youth hit the water thanks to The Lion Foundation

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth Training Programme has received a much needed boost thanks to The Lion Foundation.

A recent grant from The Lion Foundation for $200,000 has assisted the organisation with the purchase of a replacement fleet of ten Elliott 7 metre yachts for its youth training programme.

Craig Peploe, General Manager, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron says the boats are needed for the popular programme, with six of the new fleet of 10 yachts expected to be in the water by May 2010.

“The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme has been running for 21 years and during that period it has produced over 550 graduates; many of whom have gone on to significant achievements on the international stage,” says Mr Peploe.

“Thanks to the generosity of The Lion Foundation; we are now able to upgrade our fleet, enabling more young people to participate in this programme.”

Operating for over 20 years and one of the country’s most widely respected charitable trusts, The Lion Foundation is proud to encourage the enjoyment and skill of various sporting activities, by distributing back to the local community the funds raised through its gaming venues in Auckland City.

The Lion Foundation Chief Executive Phil Holden says: “The youth training programme developed and operated by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has set a standard internationally which is now replicated by many leading yacht clubs around the world.

“We are proud to support this organisation and the programme, and we wish the Squadron and its members enjoyment and success on the water.”

The Lion Foundation funds a wide range of arts, cultural, community, sporting, educational and health focused causes. This approach has been in place for many years and is designed to ensure the charitable trust’s support reaches as many New Zealand communities as possible.

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