Giving it a go

TRYING BOWLS: About 20 Gisborne girls are trying their hand at different sports in the Tania Dalton Foundation holiday programme. Having a go at lawn bowls at Kahutia Bowling club is Kaia Anderson.

It is a week of sporting opportunity for 20 Gisborne girls, thanks to a holiday programme in memory of a sporting great.

The Tania Dalton Foundation, created in honour of the former Silver Fern who died in 2017, has added a holiday programme to its scholarship programme.

Last year the foundation announced the first 11 scholarship participants — offering them financial assistance, mentorship and personal development “to unlock their sporting talent and best selves”.

At the end of 2018 the Tania Dalton school holiday programme was initiated in Whangarei.

It was designed to build strong sporting values and confidence in intermediate-aged girls from lower-decile schools.

The programme was such a success, the foundation is rolling it out nationwide, with Gisborne being the second destination.

The three-day programme, which started yesterday, gives the the girls the opportunity to try their hand at different sports including touch, rippa rugby, softball, active dance, lawn bowls, netball and basketball.

“A belief that was very important to Tania was understanding the values of sports — to win or lose graciously and to put the team first,” a foundation spokeswoman said.

“People can be oblivious to how expensive school holidays can be for parents, providing entertainment for their children daily, taking time off work, extra food etc.

“The foundation has recognised this, offering a free mini bus to pick the participants up each day,” she said.