Calling for all potential Tairawhiti Rising Legends in sport

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

APPLICATIONS are now open for the next generation of Tairawhiti Rising Legends for 2022.

Up and coming sports stars from any code are invited to send in their application form to Sport Gisborne before the close of business on Friday, November 26.

Applicants must be between 14 and 17 on January 1, 2022 and must live locally for that year.

Since its inception in 2007, the Rising Legends programme has inducted 94 members and has produced 50 New Zealand titles, six world champions, three Olympians and two All Blacks.

Successful applicants receive a $1000 scholarship and exclusive development and training opportunities.

Darryl Fitzgerald, a Rising Legend member in 2008, said the programme was crucial to him achieving his dreams, earning seventh in the K2 1000m race at the London Olympics in 2012.

“This gave me opportunities to learn skills that I have successfully integrated into my sporting career so far,” he said.

“One of the most exciting attributes of the programme is bringing talented local athletes together from different sports to share experiences, which I found extremely motivating.”