Olympians Ben Sandford and Mike Dawson are part of a group who have set up the Rotorua Athlete Development Charitable Trust, aims to fund athletes to do charitable work in the Rotorua community, which makes it a win for the athletes as they get some funding and connections to the community and a win for the community as they hear and see more about local athletes and there's more charitable work being done.
A group of Bay of Plenty Olympians have joined forces for a cause which aims to benefit both local athletes and the communities they live in.
Skeleton racer Ben Sandford, canoe slalom athletes Mike Dawson and Luuka Jones, and heptathlete Sarah Cowley Ross have established the Rotorua Athlete Development (RAD)Charitable Trust.
Its aim is to empower athletes to do charitable work in the Rotorua community by providing grants and support.
Sandford, who competed in the skeleton at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics, said the main goal was to connect athletes with their community.
"If the athlete applies to us and they want to do some charitable work in the community, then we will give them funding to do that work," he said.
Olympians Ben Sandford (left) and Mike Dawson are two of four trustees who have set up the Rotorua Athlete Development Charitable Trust. Photo / Andrew Warner
"So it's a win-win - the athlete gets some funding and the community also gets an athlete coming along to an educational piece, a leadership piece, maybe an environmental piece. It helps give the athlete experience working with the community.
"It's all about doing good through sport and giving back to the community."
In reviewing the applications, considerable weight will be placed on the ability to give back, inspire and positively impact the local community. If successful, athletes will be financially compensated for any charitable work they do that is approved by the trust.
Dawson, who competed in the canoe slalom at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in London and Rio de Janeiro respectively, said funding was "a massive part of the game" for all sports at all levels but not the only piece of the puzzle.
"This is a great way for young athletes to be rewarded for good work they do in the community," he said.
Mike Dawson during his heat in the London 2012 Olympic Games Canoe Slalom. Photo / File
"Long term, the trust is focused on empowering and educating the athletes."
Dawson encouraged anyone aged between 16 and 23 who had a plan for charitable work they wished to do to apply for a grant.
"Obviously, we're looking for athletes who are role models in the community with aspirations of taking their sport to a higher level. Young athletes in teams, young athletes who are doing well or have ambition in sport should apply - from all areas in the community, we'd love to hear from anyone.
"We've had a pretty good reaction so far. Just through sharing it online through our own social media channels this week, there's been a lot of positive reaction. We've had six applications already.
Luuka Jones in action during the heats of the K1 Canoe Slalom at the 2012 London Olympics. Photo / File
"The cool thing is a lot of people from within the sporting industry think this is a really powerful idea that can be far-reaching. Others could bring it to their own communities."
Sandford said the trust also hoped to inspire the next generation of athletes through the charitable interactions.
"Let's say they go to a primary school to talk about leadership or being active - hopefully that inspires those kids that there's a path there for them, that there's someone in their community that is doing well and that they could emulate that in the future.
Sarah Cowley (right) during her Heptathlon 800m at the 2012 London Olympics. Photo / File
"Hopefully as it gains a bit of traction we can help with connecting community groups to athletes. Maybe an athlete comes to us and says they want to help but they're not sure how. We could connect them with a community group in need."
For more information on the Rotorua Athlete Development Charitable Trust or to apply for a grant go to www.radcharitabletrust.org
