Sponsorship agency supports Canterbury education programme

Future Rivers, a New Zealand sponsorship management agency, based in Mid-Canterbury, has donated funds from it’s Conservation Trust to initiate the facilitation of a youth education programme named ‘Young Anglers - Hooked on Fun’. This will build on the already successful ‘Fish in Schools’ and ‘Take a Kid Fishing’ programmes run by North Canterbury Fish and Game, which have been operating for a number of years.

Fraser Chirnside, general manager of Future Rivers, believes that the future of conservation will be in the reconciliation of rural and urban environments commenting; ‘We are very excited about the long-term positive effects this programme will provide New Zealand. Future Rivers has been developed to work as a supplementary funding source for the upkeep of the outdoor recreation industry as a whole. We work with industry providers to manage integrated marketing plans that provide positive results for both the economy and the environment. We see fostering the values of environmental stewardship in kiwi youngsters as vital - the results will speak for themselves.”

Peter Robinson, a former Canterbury primary school principal with over 35 years in the education sector, has taken on the role of facilitator for the youth programme and says “our aim is to introduce young people to the joys of freshwater angling through a structured syllabus that is fun, hands on, and educational.”

Mr Robinson is excited about the sponsorship arrangement, and the potential it affords, saying “we believe the Future Rivers brand is a really good fit with our programme, and their byline ‘enhancing nature through participation’ is very much in-line with our own goals.”

The project, being run in 18 schools throughout Canterbury, raises fish from ‘ova’ stage in a tank environment, through to the release of juvenile fish into local streams in December. Throughout this time, students study the developmental stages of the fish, dealing with life cycle, fresh water, and environmental issues along the way. During the year there will be organised visits to the North Canterbury fish hatchery, mentored fishing days for kids and ongoing support from the facilitator.

Rod Cullinane, general manager of North Canterbury Fish & Game, believes that in today’s society many children are missing out on the opportunities to discover the joys of angling commenting, “we feel we can play a part in ensuring New Zealand’s youth can still have experiences that help them discover a lifelong pursuit in one of the world’s premier outdoor environments.”

Young Anglers – Hooked on Fun is being developed for national facilitation throughout schools in different regions beginning in 2014.

ENDS

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