Welcome to our latest athletes

Aspiring Amateur Athletes NZ Charitable Trust wishes Mike Dawson all the best in his endeavours as he works towards his Olympic dream and congratulates him on his recent national title and the support SPARC is now offering him after his international successes 2009. A current world champion and silver medallist in extreme kayaking and nominated for international kayaker of the year 2010 this young man at 23 is one to keep an eye on in the future. A truly inspirational athlete and sportsman. Watch this space!


The Trust now welcomes Louise Jull- Otaki as an athlete of the Trust. Louise at 21 continues to work hard at her sport, training, competing nationally and internationally and she is developing a strength in the latest women's discipline C1. Louise whilst training continues to successfully marry it with studies undertaken through Massey University.

The Trust also welcomes Brent Bastin. Brent at 19 is the youngest athlete in the Trust. He has one international campaign under his belt and looks forward to steady rise in the ICF ranks during the 2010 competitive year. Brent is also continuing his studies extramurally while training, working and competing to reach his goals

The Trust is in the process of working towards welcoming non Olympic sports into its fold

Congratulations to the following winners

Congratulations to the following Corporate Sponsors

Bronze
Viking Distributors

Silver
Omokoroa First National Real Estate

Platinum
Frasers Papamoa
A special thanks goes to the following businesses for their support

Holland Beckett-Lawyers
Fitco 2006 Ltd
Craig Investment Partners
Strea Holdings Ltd
Viking Distributors
Plaster Centre
Fraser Developments
Omokoroa First National Real Estate
LB Dawson & Associates Ltd


Family Duck Race Winners
1st Tania Young 166
2nd Grace Bastin 144
3rd Carol & Gary McAneny 132
4th Robert .......... 125
5th George ............ 63
6th Tim Orr

Aspiring Amateur Athletes NZ Charitable Trust would like to thank all the family, friends and neighbours who have supported the athletes to help them realise their goals.

Prizes-All winners will be notified

Family Ducks must be redeemed by May 30th.

Corporate sponsorship must be redeemed by December 2010

Read all about it:

Bay News, Wednesday, April 21 2010 page 11

'Ducks race to aid of athletes'

The Great Duck Race

It was a day that could only be dreamed of – still, glassy water set the background with crystal clear sky and a slight sea breeze, just the perfect conditions for all racing rubber ducks.

But Sunday wasn’t just another day for those competitive rubber racing ducks, it was the 2010 Amazing Duck Race held on the infamous Judea (Kopurerua) Stream. This race wasn’t just about the ducks; it was about what they represented. It was a very successful fundraising campaign held by local charitable trust Aspiring Amateur Athletes NZ in a quest to raise some much needed funds for Tauranga athletes heading overseas to compete in their chosen sports at their World Championships.

The race kicked off bang on 10am with supporters lining the banks of the stream cheering on their ducks and they raced for glory and amazing prizes. FitCo Tauranga showed great power off the start line taking an early but dominant lead so convincing it looked as though it was going to be a race for 2nd and 3rd. Fatigue struck the duck on the home stretch, as faltered snagging reeds allowing the race to become a battle between Craig’s Investment Partners and Viking Distributors right down to the line. Craig’s looked good, but a late charge in testing finish conditions saw Viking Distributors kept their composure and take a duck and a half length win showing how important nutrition is on the day.

The family duck race was where ducks represented families battling it out for some Pak’n’Save food vouchers on the stream. Tania Young of Tauranga took first place by a huge margin over Grace Bastin 3rd place went to the Mc Aneny Family.

The athletes supported by this are Mike Dawson, Brent Bastin and Tracey Steens.

Dawson a local canoe slalom athlete just returned home from picking up the NZ national title and is heading off to Europe in 10days to begin his campaign towards the world championships held in Slovenia this September.

Dawson says “ I've had good form recently, and the training I’ve had in Australia this summer I’m looking forward to racing this season, and I’ve got some big goals I want to achieve this season in preparation for London 2012. This money we raised here is going to be a huge help in securing the coaching support we need for this.

Bastin, a Massey university student will join him at the World Champs and has high hopes for his second year in the New Zealand team. After gaining a range of knowledge last year Bastin is excited to perform well in the European season.

Bastin says “ Last year at the world champs was my first year in the senior ranks and everything was pretty new. I’m hoping to use that experience to perform a lot better this season. I’ve had great training environment with our new coach, as well as spending a lot of time on the Kaituna River [just out of Rotorua] in preparation for my trip in a month’s time.


Tracey Steens, a local triathlete involved with the trust will also benefit from the money raised putting it towards here trip to the Age group world championships in Hamburg, Germany this winter.

Results:
1st Tania Young (166)
2ndGrace Bastin (132)
3rdMcAneny Family (125)
4th Robert (125)
5thGeorge (63)
6thTim Orr

Corporate Ducks
Bronze : Viking Distributors
Silver : Omokoroa First National
Platinum : Frasers Papamoa

Aspiring Amateur Athletes NZ Charitable Trust would like to thank following for their support FitCo, Holland Becket, Craig Investment Partners, Viking Distributors, Omokoroa First National, Plaster Center, Frasers Papamoa, LB Dawson & Associates & families for their support