2024
NZ RUGBY FOUNDATION VIPS
We dedicate this annual report to the following VIPs who have passed away in 2024
JIM CAMPBELL
25/06/1951 – 5/12/24 (Injured in 1975)
Jim loved the coast and the Tararua Ranges; he travelled the country, connecting with locals, discovering new places and sharing his art.
Being a wheelchair user after his rugby injury at 24 years young did not limit Jim’s love of painting. His art gallery and exhibitions were marvellous. You may see one of his pieces and remember our friend. Our love goes out to his wife, Evelyn; his daughter, Jodie; his son-in-law, Justin; and his grandchildren, Patrick and Ryan.
MICHAEL GIRLINGBUTCHER
15/10/1958 – 16/11/2024
(Injured in 1988)
A cherished brother to Susan, Nicholas, Joanna and Rosemary and a beloved father to Rachel and Martin. We are thankful to have known Mike, his greatest support Robyn, friends and support workers. Injured only weeks after the birth of his first child, life dealt Mike many curves. Thirty years on, his daughter followed in his teaching footsteps, and Mike became a voice for the disability community of Palmerston North.
His work is not forgotten: “We need to be viewed for our skills, not the disability we live with.” MGB.
A part of the Centurions memorial to Alan:
ALAN BOYD
18/06/1955 – 23/06/2024
(Injured in 1986)
Alan loved his family and rugby. After his accident, he was still a part of Wellington Rugby. He loved the rugby season and watching the Hurricanes at the Cake Tin.
He was a much-loved uncle to all his nieces and nephews. Patricia, Erin Walecki, Margaret & Chris Crawford, Chris & Cathy, and Stephen were extraordinary supporters of Alan through the years, and his band of “team Alan” carers took the utmost care of Alan and brightened his day.
“The injury suffered by Alan and other players was the call to action for administrators of our game to change the rules of our game to provide greater safety for front row players in scrums. It also led to removing a competitive points table in the President’s grade and to “Presidents Day”, in which all President’s teams came together once a year to play near each other to celebrate rugby and show their support for our VIPs.”
Jim, Evelyn and grandsons Patrick and Ryan.
Alan Boyd with his niece and grandnephew.
Michael Girling-Butcher.
NZRF Board (Absent: Melodie Robinson, Hannah Porter, Andy Ellis and Teina Boyd).
VIP Dayna Tiwha and Akaiti.
VIP Kendall Ackhurst, currently living in London, pictured with Johnny Wilkinson.
Loia and VIP Malala Gaono, VIP Seti Tafua, Ben Sturmfels, VIP Lui Te’o and VIP Fetu Ese.
VIP Peni Moimoi and his wife Ana.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
The 2025 Annual General Meeting (38th AGM) of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation Incorporated will be held on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, at 2.00 pm
Level 5, at Sky Grand, Auckland. The meeting will be held in person and also on Zoom
By the constitution of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation Inc.:
(a) The Annual General Meeting of the NZ Rugby Foundation shall be held annually at such time and place as the Board shall decide and shall be held not more than four months after the end of the NZ Rugby Foundation’s financial year.
(b) The CEO shall give members at least fifteen (15) Business Days written notice of the Annual General Meeting date.
(c) Any Member requiring any business to be discussed or any resolution to be considered at the Annual General Meeting shall give notice in writing to the CEO of such business or such resolution no later than ten (10) Business Days before the date fixed for the meeting.
(d) The order of business for an Annual General Meeting shall be;
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
a) Opening of Meeting – Karakia
b) Roll call and quorum
c) Apologies
d) Obituaries
e) Confirmation of Minutes of previous meeting held 10 April 2024.
f) The Annual Report:
a. Chair and CE report
b. Treasurer’s report
c. Receive and adopt the audited Statement of Financial Performance and Statement of Financial Position for the previous financial year
d. Confirmation of Chairman/Chief Executive/Treasurer reports
e. Receive and adopt the Annual Report
g) Election/ratification of Officers, Directors and appointment of the Auditor
i. Directors due for rotation are Andrew Hall, Graham Mourie, and Simon Tremain who are available.
ii. David Latta will be retiring.
iii. Ratification of potential new Directors
Rowena Davenport Keven Mealamu (NZR representative)
iv. Appointment of the Auditor
h) Consider any business or proposed resolutions of which notice has been given.
i) Transact any general business.
j) Closure – Karakia
Lisa Kingi-Bon Chief Executive
Officers of 2024
PATRONS
PRESIDENT
FOUNDING PRESIDENT
ORIGINAL FIRST XV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Sir Graham Henry KNZM
Richie McCaw ONZ
Andy Dalton
Sir Russell Pettigrew F.Inst. D, FCIT K.T †
Sir David Beattie, Sir Russell Pettigrew, Sir Brian Lochore, Sir Desmond Sullivan, Sir Wilson Whineray, J.G Frazer, B.J Drake, J.J Stewart, G.C McKay, A.R Leslie, R.A Harper, B.A Hancox, K.R Tremain, R.W Thomas, I.A Vodanovich
Andrew Golightly Chair
Melodie Robinson Deputy Chair
Mark Peters Treasurer
Rowena Davenport NZR representative
David Latta
Simon Tremain
Dr John Mayhew ONZM
Graham Mourie MBE
Andrew Hall
Prof Steve Morris
Hannah Porter
Teina Boyd
Heidi Beech
Andy Ellis
Sir Russell Hilton Pettigrew F.Inst.D, FCIT K.T RNZN 3886, WWII. †
Sir Colin Earl Meads KNZM MBE †
Sir David John Graham KNZM CBE ED †
Richie Guy ONZM
Colin Gibbons JP
Maurice Trapp
Tane Norton MNZM †
Andy Leslie MNZM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
ACCOUNTANT
AUDITORS
BANKERS
ADMINISTRATION
Lisa Kingi-Bon
Angela Davies
Crowe Australasia – Auckland
Bank of New Zealand Newmarket
Sport Auckland House
Level 4, Alexandra Park Function Centre
Greenlane West
Epsom
Ph: (09) 623 7980
Email: lisa@rugbyfoundation.nz
Footnote: When placed immediately before or after a person’s name, the cross indicates that the person is deceased †
Team Photo, Eden Park Luncheon 2024.
VIP Bob Symon.
Patron Sir Graham Henry and Rt Hon Sir John Key.
VIP Ross Ormsby with Laura McGoldrick at 2024 Eden Park Luncheon.
VIP Kerrin Tilley at work.
Chair and CE’s Report
The nature of our work dictates that every year provides much sadness but also so much joy. And 2024 certainly did that.
It was a challenging year on the field, with four deaths. Three were due to cardiac events, which could have happened anywhere, and one caused by traumatic brain injury. We hold these families close. Moe mai ra, rest in peace Jade Halkett, Ali Prescott, Brook Wilson and Cory Heather.
Unfortunately, there was a further traumatic brain injury, which left us a new VIP in Semisi Naiqara. An amazing story of the power of the human spirit you can read overleaf.
Our core purpose, kaupapa, will always be our permanently injured players and the families and children who lose their parents playing the game we love.
If you want to know what New Zealand looks like, look at our roll of VIPs. Serious injury does not discriminate; we partner with families from all walks of life.
As our Treasurer Mark Peters notes in his report, the economy provided significant challenges to our fundraising programmes. We have used all of the interest and dividends and needed to use $119k of the investment fund to meet the core trading deficit.
Our support is enduring. It is “for life” for our players. Therefore, our capital fund is vital for the future.
We are one of 28,000 registered charities in New Zealand. We are niche in a competitive environment for the charity dollar.
KEY MOMENTS
• Losing three of our VIPs. Alan Boyd, Mike GirlingButcher, and Jim Campbell. These men were injured in the 70’s and 80’s and have all lived remarkable lives. They trailblazed many of you who followed to emulate ‘what is possible.’ We are honoured to have known them. We still stay in touch with families.
• Supporting their families as they lost their loved ones is the most challenging part of our work. Cory Heather (TBI) and three cardiac events. Jake Halkett, Ali Prescott and Brook Wilson. These families are held close to us.
• New life: We’ve welcomed two babies: Michael and Tatiana Fatialofa’s, Tommy and Darryl and Candice Sabin’s, Ava Rose We are delighted for both families.
• Near Miss Player Support: We provided direct assistance to 68 families, ensuring they received the necessary support and navigation. We partnered with a health system that primarily provides excellent primary medical emergency response. Navigating the health system has not been without its challenges. There are still three surgeries to go.
• Hosting VIPs and Near Misses: We love hosting our injured players and seeing the benefits they and their close ones gain from being together.
If you want to know what New Zealand looks like, look at our roll of VIPs. Serious injury does not discriminate; we partner with families from all walks of life.
• Community Outreach: Of the 480 rugby clubs in New Zealand, 316 clubs have an AED, of which 122 of these clubs have had their AED donated by the NZ Rugby Foundation. The costs amounting to $244,000.00 have been covered by third party funding from community and gaming trust organisations (164 units are still required.)
• We launched the Heart Club on World Restart a Heart Day on 21 October. This initiative is crucial in raising awareness and educating the public on resuscitation knowledge, a key aspect of our mission to ensure the safety of rugby players and the wider community.
• Partnerships: We reaffirm collaboration partnerships with our nine Global Charity counterparts, World Rugby, NZR, and NZRPA, with the Brain Health project, the Auckland University Centre for Brain Research, and the Neurological Foundation.
Gratitude goes to several people at ACC whose service has been excellent. There have been many times when we have needed a quick answer and they delivery every time. New Zealand is very fortunate to have the ACC, as highlighted when we compare ourselves to our nine international counterpart organisations. We are very grateful to many at New Zealand Rugby for such excellent collaboration. We also acknowledge World Rugby who included all rugby charities in their global annual medical and science meetings for the first time last year.
Special note of thanks to John Miller and his team at John Miller Law, who have been so generous with their time and expertise.
• The Brain Health Working Group was created in December 2022. The New Zealand Rugby Foundation, New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association have collaborated to establish best practices for managing concussion risks in rugby.
Like any contact sport, rugby carries the risk of injury, but we believe our game can be played safely without compromising the competitive element or spectacle. The Brain Health and Concussion plan sets out our collective actions to keep every player as safe as possible from concussion risks. The plan outlines initiatives that New Zealand Rugby will deliver over the next three years, and these initiatives will be reviewed annually to ensure we remain at the forefront of this rapidly developing area. The plan is centred on five key focus areas injury prevention, training and education, injury management, research and monitoring, and communication. New Zealand Rugby unveils comprehensive Concussion Risk Management Plan
Our support is enduring. It is “for life” for our players. Therefore, our capital fund is vital for the future.
• The board has driven a review of who we are and what we do. This will be launched at the AGM on 9 April 2025 in Auckland after an extensive process that will provide a clear roadmap for the future. It included internal and broad external stakeholder consultation, ensuring that our future direction is aligned with the needs and expectations of our stakeholders.
• We have supported two Research projects: Kumanu Tāngata: The AfterMatch Project and Brain Recovery and Preparedness in Adolescents using Imaging after a Rugby season (Brain-RePAIR) update. (Please refer to pages 40 & 41)
• We were part of seven fundraising events in a very tough economic climate. Two were our own and we are grateful to Massey, the Centurions, and Harlequins for including us at their annual events, as well as Whanganui Rugby Union and Active Building Management. Our own events were the Patron’s Black-Tie Dinner and the Annual Eden Park Pre-Test Luncheon. Fundraising event income for the year totalled over $520,000.00.
• 78 grants and services provided to our cohort, including various aspects, from garden maintenance, crucial home maintenance, Higher education, sports pursuits and professional development.
• Standout highlight: When a player defies all medical odds!
On 5 September, Semisi Naiqara suffered a lifechanging TBI. He was playing for Wesley College 1st XV vs. Liston College.
Surgery occurred that night, and the medical prognosis was dire. Essentially, they prepared the family ‘for the worst’.
His life support was switched off, and he continued to breathe independently for two days. On 21 October, he was discharged from Auckland Hospital to the excellent ABI facility in Ranui.
Well, this beautiful young man still surprises everyone daily. Promising signs of progress fill his family, friends, and teammates with optimism. So, we have VIP #118. In time Semisi will get back to school. Time is wonderful, but nothing is stronger than the human spirit in whatever way it shows up.
There is much hope, and much need for support.
We acknowledge and thank our VIP whānau, Schools, Clubs, Provincial Unions, New Zealand Rugby, our wonderful sponsors, suppliers and donors. Because we are better together!
A special note of thanks to our Staff and Board for their contribution to ensure the ongoing legacy of the Rugby Foundation.
Lisa Kingi-Bon Chief Executive, NZ Rugby Foundation
Andrew Golightly
Board Chair, NZ Rugby Foundation
VIP Semisi Naiqara and his family.
Strategic Reset 2023/2024
To always stand alongside Rugby’s seriously injured players
Thriving futures for Rugby’s seriously injured players & whānau.
Support
Champion
Collaborate
To have the resources and expertise to do the best job possible for all of Rugby’s seriously injured players
Support: We deliver because we care
Compassion:
Empathy in everything we do
Champion: We move fast, fight hard but fair
Courage:
Be at our best when we need to be
Connection: Because we’re better together
Collaborate:
Enduring and deep personal relationships
Commitment:
Do what you said you were going to do
Our independence, resources and expertise allow us to always stand alongside Rugby’s seriously injured players and whānau to help them achieve their mana motuhake.
A YEAR OF EXPLORATION AND NAVIGATION
• 2024 was a year where we took stock and planned for the future.
– We contracted an independent researcher to initially understand our own board members and senior leaders’ individual perspectives on what the organisation’s current state is and what the future state might be.
–
We then interviewed some of our VIPs and their whānau, our stakeholder and partner organisations, the media and former board members.
– This work informed a strategic review and future scenario planning sessions by the board and senior leadership.
– Resulting in a focusing and simplification of our brand purpose and resulting strategies.
SUMMARY OF INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FINDINGS
• Unanimously the Foundation was given an A+ report card for its work, approach and effectiveness by all interviewed which is obviously very pleasing to hear.
• However, we didn’t undertake this to hear praise. We were seeking to understand outside perspectives on where to and what next for the Foundation.
• We explored several key themes with all respondents.
Key theme: Do what we do best and never stop asking questions.
2024 Serious Injuries
WHAT IS A SERIOUS INJURY?
Serious injuries have the potential to result in permanent disablement to players.
These are reportable incidents:
1. A head or spinal injury or medical event (e.g. a heart attack) that results in the player being admitted to the hospital.
2. An injury or medical event (e.g. a heart attack) that results in the death of a player during match play or rugby training.
3. An injury that is expected to result in some permanent disability (e.g. loss of use of a limb, loss of an eye).
WHAT IS A NEAR MISS?
A serious injury of a player in the above categories who fully recovers.
Rugby’s a great game. Just ask the thousands of people who pull on their jerseys every weekend – no matter what the weather may be. Most games, players walk off the field, sometimes quite muddy, and very happy.
Every so often, someone is very seriously injured.
Occasionally, the injury can be life changing.
That is why we’re here.
There were 68 serious injuries in 2024, and we acknowledge the players, their parents,
grandparents, partners, siblings, friends, and children who were affected.
We understand that it’s a challenging and stressful time. We also know that every single journey is different.
Our support is what is required, sitting alongside the health system. We are proud to have provided as much mental health support as we have and also acknowledge our funders and donors who have supported us in this specific area.
NEAR MISS
While there were 82 reported injuries, only 68 of them were near misses.
TRUE MISS
We provided direct assistance to 68 families, ensuring they received the necessary support and navigation. We partnered with a health system that primarily provides excellent primary medical emergency response.
Treasurer’s Report
The 2024 Financial result of a core operating deficit of $119k, but an overall surplus of $426k after growth in value of the Foundation’s Investment Fund is, in summary, the results of some good, some bad and some excellent.
THE GOOD:
Ben and his team have performed superbly in running two major fundraising functions, in very difficult economic times, that have been outstanding successes. The now keenly sought-after Black Tie Dinner produced a net revenue gain of over $200k and the annual Auckland Luncheon a net gain of $124k. Both these events were extremely professionally run and enjoyed by all participants.
Notwithstanding that overall revenue was, while slightly up on 2023, behind budget, the Foundation was able to increase overall grants to $490k ($415k in 2023) and to contribute $76k to worthwhile Research projects. Lisa and her team have outstandingly maintained the number one priority of the Foundation, being care for our family of Very Injured Players.
THE BAD:
In a word – the Economy.
Probably one of the hardest years in New Zealand’s domestic economy, certainly since the GFC in 2008, and probably even earlier, meant that the hugely successful 2023 programme of Taskforce Income and Major Gifts was very hard to keep momentum with during 2024. Again, Ben and his team have worked really hard in this area to maintain ongoing contact with donors and members who will, when the economy picks up, without doubt return to our giving circles. The upshot of all this in 2024 was a decrease in revenue from these two areas to $190k ($296k in 2023).
The economy is outside of our control, but we just have to deal with conditions as we find them, and the Foundation has coped pretty well overall.
THE EXCELLENT:
Twofold. Firstly, despite a hard year, the Foundation Board, Management and Staff have kept the core activities and business of the Foundation operating smoothly, coping with all the serious injuries during the year and giving our overall strategy a
The economy is outside of our control, but we just have to deal with conditions as we find them, and the Foundation has coped pretty well overall.
thorough review- which no doubt Chair Andrew and CEO Lisa, will cover more fully in their reports.
Secondly, and the big financial result of the year, was the continued superb management of our investment fund through 2024 by Bruce, Tom and others at JB Were. The fund grew in value by $546k – giving an overall surplus result for the year of $426k. While we prefer to keep any capital growth in this fund as future proofing of the Foundation’s Capital, we did have to utilise $119k of the growth to offset this year’s core operating deficit. Nevertheless, to enable the Foundation to carry on its excellent work well into the future, it is imperative that the investment fund be kept as intact as possible, and that continued growth is mostly retained as reserves. For sure there will at some time be the odd year where that growth may be negative.
So in summary and overall, not too bad a year for the Foundation. Our balance sheet remains strong, and while revenue is becoming harder to generate, and expenses out of our control continue to rise, we are still in a strong position to look to the future with some confidence.
My thanks to Chair Andrew for his ongoing leadership and support, my excellent Business Committee members and the entire board for their commitment to the principles of the Foundation, and to our excellent staff well lead by Lisa who keep the wheels always turning in the right direction.
Mark Peters FCA Treasurer, NZ Rugby Foundation
VIP Braden Coates and Hayley Ireland. Credit Emma McCarthy and the NZ Dairy Exporter.
Priority Funds
Below is how we support our VIP and how our donors can select where their support is allocated.
CAREER & EDUCATION FUND
By donating towards this fund, you enable seriously injured players and their significant others and children to achieve an education they might otherwise not be able to attain due to the financial limitations of a family caring for a seriously injured player.
WELLBEING & WHĀNAU SUPPORT
FUND
By donating to this fund, you are supporting initiatives that will improve the emotional, spiritual and mental wellbeing of seriously injured players and their whānau, which they may otherwise be unable to access.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT & EQUIPMENT FUND
The seriously injured players we support have suffered lifelong and debilitating injuries, but your donation to this fund will enable us to provide the specialised mobility equipment and adaptive devices that will allow them to ride a bike, play basketball and pass the footy ball again.
HOME & GARDEN MAINTENANCE FUND
Maintaining a tidy and attractive yard is an intrinsic value for most kiwis. By donating to this fund, you provide us with the means to take an additional burden from our seriously injured players and their families, while instilling the sense of pride a great looking garden and lawn produces.
RESEARCH FUND
The research projects we support are focused on safe and injury free participation in rugby and we have a particular interest in sports concussion and injury prevention. Concussion is the most common injury suffered at top-level rugby and studies show a clear link between repeated concussion and early-onset dementia, depression and other neurological diseases. Your donation could help researchers to more fully understand concussive events in rugby and work towards potential solutions.
GENERAL FUND
By donating to the General Fund, your gift provides us with the flexibility to respond where the need is greatest, whether this be to support our seriously injured players, to contribute to Prevention, Research and Education, or to our advocacy work on behalf of the rugby community.
CAPITAL FUND
By giving to the Capital Fund, you are helping protect and build capital which will provide a lasting legacy that our current and future injured players can always rely on.
TRADING INCOME & INVESTMENT RETURNS
VIP Phil Booth on his SiMAX Handcycle Simulator.
VIP Braden Coates and Hayley Ireland on their wedding day.
VIP Alex Dalzell.
VIP Darryl, Candice and Ava Rose Sabin.
VIP Raana Tangaere hunting with whānau.
VIP Robbie Hewitt. Credit to Cherie Harris.
Director Steve Morris with VIP AJ and Barb Gardiner.
EntityInformation
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated Fortheyearended31December2024
LegalNameofEntity
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated
EntityTypeandLegalBasis
IncorporatedSocietyandRegisteredCharity
RegistrationNumber
CC42547
Entity'sPurposeorMission
Simply,ourcorebusinessfocuseson:
1.Supportingcatastrophicallyinjuredrugbyplayersfinanciallyandemotionally,forlife;
2.Fundraisingactivities;
3.WorkingwithNewZealandRugbyandACCtocommunicatethemessageofsafetyfirst,advocatingsafeplay.
Ourfourcorepillarsare:
*Support
*Prevention
*Advocacy
*Relationships
Directors
AndyDalton(President)
AndrewGolightly(Chair)
MelodieRobinson(DeputyChair)
MarkPeters(Treasurer)
RowenaDavenport(NZRRepresentative)
AndyEllis
AndrewHall
DavidLatta
DrJohnMayhewONZM
GrahamMourieMBE
HannahPorter
Prof.StephenMorris
HeidiBeech
SimonTremain
TeinaBoyd
Officers
AndyDalton(President)
SirGrahamHenryKNZM(Patron)
RichieMcCawONZ(Patron)
MainSourcesofEntity'sCashandResources
ThemajorityofrevenuehasbeenreceivedfromourannualNewZealandRugbygrantandGamingfunding,withtheremainder throughfundraisingevents,capitalinvestmentsandsponsorshipinkind.
MainMethodsUsedbyEntitytoRaiseFunds
Fundraisingactivitiesincludeanannualluncheonwhichhasoccuredsince1987,ourfirstyearofoperation.
WearethenominatedcharityatanumberofeventsthroughoutNewZealand,wherewereceivesignificantdonations.Wehave regularapplicationstoCommunityandGamingTrusts. RelationshipmanagementwithcommercialsponsorsandNewZealandRugby.
Entity'sRelianceonVolunteersandDonatedGoodsorServices
Wereceivedgovernancesupportfromvolunteers. Wereceiveddonatedgoodsandserviceswhichassistinthesuccessfulrunningofourfundraisingevents.
ContactDetails
Level4,AlexandraParkFunctionCentre,Epsom,Auckland
POBox26599,Epsom,Auckland
Phone: 096237900
www.rugbyfoundation.nz office@rugbyfoundation.nz
ApprovalofFinancialReport
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated Fortheyearended31December2024
TheDirectorsarepleasedtopresenttheapprovedfinancialreportincludingthehistoricalfinancialstatementsofNewZealand RugbyFoundationIncorporatedforyearended31December2024.
AndrewGolightly
StatementofServicePerformance
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated Fortheyearended31December2024
DescriptionofEntity'sOutcomes
ProvideastrongsupportiveandpartnershiporientatedVeryInjuredPlayer(VIP)community.WeaimtopartnerwithourVIPsin reachingtheirgoals,includingthemintherugbycommunityandenablingtheirlifeopportunities.
DescriptionandQuantificationoftheEntity'sOutputs
AdditionalInformation
21VIPhavepassedawaysincerecordsbeganin1966. * 82reportedofwhich68weretrueNearMiss
ThisstatementshouldbereadinconjunctionwiththefollowingStatementofAccountingPoliciesandNotestothePerformanceReport.
StatementofFinancialPerformance
StatementofFinancialPosition
Asat31December2024
StatementofCashFlows
StatementofAccountingPolicies
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated Fortheyearended31December2024
1.BasisofPreparation
NewZealandRugbyFoundationIncorporated(TheFoundation)haselectedtoapplyPBESFR-A(NFP)PublicBenefitEntity SimpleFormatReporting-Accrual(Not-For-Profit)onthebasisthatitdoesnothavepublicaccountabilityandhastotalannual expensesequaltoorlessthan$5,000,000.AlltransactionsinthePerformanceReportarereportedusingtheaccrualbasisof accounting.ThePerformanceReportispreparedundertheassumptionthattheentitywillcontinuetooperateinthe foreseeablefuture.
1.1GoodsandServicesTax(GST)
TheFoundationisregisteredforGST.Allamountsarestatedexclusiveofgoodsandservicestax(GST)exceptforaccounts payableandaccountsreceivablewhicharestatedinclusiveofGST.
1.2IncomeTax
NewZealandRugbyFoundationInciswhollyexemptfromNewZealandincometaxhavingfullycompliedwithallstatutory conditionsfortheseexemptions.
1.3BankAccountsandCash
BankaccountsandcashintheStatementofCashFlowscomprisecashbalancesandbankbalances(includingshortterm deposits)withoriginalmaturitiesof90daysorless.
1.4Revenue
Revenuereceivedfromdonationsisaccountedforonacashbasisbecausethegeneralnatureofthisincomeisnotcertainuntil itisreceived.
Grantrevenueisrecognisedwhentheconditionsattachedtotherevenuehasbeencompliedwith.Wherethereareunfulfilled conditionsattachedtothatgrant,theamountrelatingtotheunfulfilledconditionisrecognisedasaliabilityandreleasedto incomeastheconditionsarefulfilled.
RevenuereceivedfromprofessionalfundraisersisaccountedforonanetbasisastheFoundationdoesnotincurnorisliablefor theexpenditure.
1.5SponsorshipinKind
TheFoundationreceivesdonateditemsforauctionandevents,butthevalueisnotcertainuntilthesale,thereforetherevenue isrecognisedwhentheitemissold.
1.6AccountsReceivable
AccountsReceivablearestatedattheirestimatedrealisablevalue.
1.7Investments
Shares
TheFoundationhaselectedtoaccountforshareinvestmentsinaccordancewithPBEIPSAS41FinancialInstruments.
Thefairvalueoftheshareinvestmentshasbeendeterminedbyreferencetotheirquotesatreportingdate.Shareinvestments arepubliclytradedontheNewZealandandoverseasmarkets.Gainsandlossesarerecordedviainvestmentrevaluation.
Investmentsthataresharesarecategorisedas"financialassetsatfairvaluethroughprofitandloss"foraccountingpurposesin accordancewithfinancialreportingstandards. Subsequenttoinitialrecognition,theseassetsaremeasuredatfairvalue. DividendsarerecognisedasincomeintheStatementofFinancialPerformance.
Bonds
FixedInterestInvestmentsarecarriedatcost. Ifthemarketvalueofbondsisbelowhistoricalcost,thebondsarerecordedat marketvalue. Gainsandlossesarerecordedviainvestmentrevaluation. BondsarecomprisedofNewZealandandoffshore bonds.Theoffshorebondshavebeenvaluedatmarketvalueat31December2024asthemarketvalueofthebondsisbelowthe historicalcostatthatdate.
1.8AccountsPayable
AccountsPayablearerecordedattheamountofcashrequiredtosettlethoseliabilities.
1.9FunctionalandPresentationalCurrency
AllbalanceswithinthesefinancialstatementsarestatedinNewZealanddollars($).Amountsareroundedtothenearestdollar.
1.10Inventory
Inventoryisstatedatthelowerofcost,determinedona"first-in-first-out"basis,andnetrealisablevalue.
1.11FixedAssets
AllowneditemsofFurnitureandFittingsareinitiallyrecordedatcost,anddepreciatedusingDiminishingValueasoutlined below:
-OfficeFurnitureandEquipment11.4%to60%
-Website60%
-MotorVehicle20%
Whereanitemoffurnitureorequipmentisdisposedof,thegainorlossisrecognisedintheStatementofFinancialPerformance andiscalculatedasthedifferencebetweenthenetsalepriceandthecarryingvalueoftheasset.
1.12ForeignExchangeMovements
TransactionsinforeigncurrenciesaretranslatedtoNZDatthesettlementrate.Monetaryassetsandliabilitiesdenominatedin foreigncurrenciesintheStatementofFinancialPositionaretranslatedtoNZDattheforeignexchangeraterulingatthatdate. ForeignexchangedifferencesarisingontheirtranslationarerecognisedintheStatementofFinancialPerformance.
1.13ChangesinAccountingPolicies
TherehavebeennochangesinaccountingpoliciesoftheFoundationintheyearended31December2024,otherthanthe adoptionofthenewPBEstandardforshareinvestmentsasdisclosedbelow. Otherthanthechangedisclosedbelow,all accountingpolicieshavebeenappliedonaconsistentbasiswiththoseofpreviousreportingperiod.
PBEIPSAS41-FinancialInstruments
Thestandardreplacespreviousaccountingrequirementsforfinancialinstruments. Thestandardestablishesnewclassifications forfinancialassetsateitheramortisedcostoratfairvaluebasedonhowentitiesmanagethoseassetsandthecashflow characteristics. ThenewstandardhadnoimpacttotheFoundationfinancialstatements.
NotestothePerformanceReport
1.AnalysisofRevenue
2.AnalysisofExpenses
4.AnalysisofLiabilities
7.BreakdownofReserves
Inthe1987AnnualReport"ThesuccessoftheFoundationhasbeenassuredbythegenerousparticipationofGoodmanFielder WattieLimitedcontractingtothesumof$1million."ThePresident'sreportcontinues,ItisthepolicyoftheFoundationnotto dissipateit'sfundsbuttoprovideanysupportfromfundincome."Fundingagreementof2000,andafurthervariationin2003. Thefundingagreementstates;"ThefundingberetainedasacapitalsumsothattheFoundationmayonlyexpendincome earnedfromtheinvestmentofthefunding."
8.Commitments
Description NatureofCommitment
9.ContingentLiabilitiesandGuarantees
Therearenocontingentliabilitiesorguaranteesasat31December2024(Lastyear-nil).
10.GoodsorServicesProvidedtotheEntityinKind
11.RelatedParties
TheFoundationhavearesponsibilitytocoordinatewithNewZealandRugbyingivingeffecttotheobjectivesoftheFoundation. Tomonitorthis,RowenaDavenport,aDirectorofNewZealandRugbyisalsoaDirectorofthisFoundation.
12.EventsAftertheBalanceDate
TherewerenoeventsthathaveoccurredafterthebalancedatethatwouldhaveamaterialimpactonthePerformanceReport (Lastyear-nil).
13.AbilitytoContinueOperating
Theentitywillcontinuetooperatefortheforeseeablefuture.
Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership Level 17, 88 Shortland Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010 C/- Crowe Mail Centre, Private Bag 90106
Invercargill 9840
Main +64 9 303 4586
Fax +64 9 309 1198
www.crowe.nz
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
TO THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY FOUNDATION INCORPORATED
Opinion
We have audited the performance report of New Zealand Rugby Foundation Incorporated (the Incorporated Society) which comprise the financial statements on pages 20 to 31, the statement of service performance on page 19 and the entity information on pages 16 to 17. The complete set of financial statements comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2024, and the statement of financial performance and statement of cash flows for the year ended, and the statement of accounting policies and other explanatory information.
In our opinion, the accompanying performance report presents fairly, in all material respects:
▪ the entity information as at 31 December 2024;
▪ the financial position of the Incorporated Society as at 31 December 2024, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended; and
▪ the service performance of the Incorporated Society for the year ended 31 December 2024 in that the service performance information is appropriate and meaningful and prepared in accordance with the entity’s measurement bases or evaluation methods
in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit) issued by the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit of the financial statements in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs (NZ)), and the audit of the entity information and statement of service performance in accordance with the ISAs (NZ) and New Zealand Auditing Standard (NZ AS) 1 (Revised) The Audit of Service Performance Information. Our responsibilities under th ose standards are furt her described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Performance Report section of our report. We are independent of the Incorporated Society in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 International Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropri ate to provide a basis for our opinion.
The title ‘Partner’ conveys that the person is a senior member within their respective division, and is among the group of pe rsons who hold an equity interest (shareholder) in its parent entity, Findex Group Limited. The only professional service offering which is conducted by a partnership is external audit, conducted via the Crowe Australasia external audit division and Unison SMSF Audit. All other professional services off ered by Findex Group Limited are conducted by a privately owned organisation and/or its subsidiaries. Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd, trading as Crowe Australasia is a member of Crowe Global, a Swiss verein. Each member firm of Crowe Gl obal is a separate and independent legal entity. Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any act s or omissions of Crowe Global or any other member of Crowe Global. Crowe Global does not render any professional services and does not have an ownership or partnership interest in Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd.
Services are provided by Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership an affiliate of Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd. © 2024 Findex (Aust) Pty
Our firm provides taxation services to the Incorporated Society. The firm has no other relationship with, or interests in, the Incorporated Society
Information Other Than the Performance Report and Auditor’s Report
The Board of Management are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report on pages 1 to 14 and 37 to 47, but does not include the performance report and our auditor’s report thereon.
Our opinion on the performance report does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of audit opinion or assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the performance report , our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the performance report or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Board of Management’s Responsibilities for the Performance Report
The Board of Management are responsible on behalf of the Incorporated Society for:
(a) the preparation and fair presentation of the performance report in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit) issued by the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board;
(b) the selection of elements/aspects of service performance measures and/or descriptions and measurement bases or evaluation methods that present service performance information that is appropriate and meaningful in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit);
(c) the preparation and fair presentation of service performance information in accordance with the entity’s measurement bases or evaluation methods, in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit);
(d) the overall presentation, structure and content of the service performance information in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit); and
(e) such internal control as the Board of Management determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial statements and statement of service performance that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the performance report, the Board of Management are responsible for assessing the Incorporated Society’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Management either intend to liquidate the Incorporated Society or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Performance Report
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the performance report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (NZ) and NZ AS 1 (Revised) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, ind ividually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of this performance report
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (NZ) and NZ AS 1 (Revised), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
▪ Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the performance report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting fro m fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
▪ Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit of the performance report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Incorporated Society’s internal control.
▪ Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
▪ Obtain an understanding of the process applied by the entity to select its elements/aspects of service performance, performance measures and/or descriptions and the measurement bases or evaluation methods.
▪ Evaluate whether the selection of elements/aspects of service performance, performance measures and/or descriptions and measurement bases or evaluation methods present an appropriate and meaningful assessment of the entity’s service performance in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit).
▪ Conclude on the appropriateness of the use of the going concern basis of accounting by the Board of Management and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Incorporated Society ’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the performance report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Incorporated Society to cease to continue as a going concern.
▪ Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the performance report, including the disclosures, and whether the performance report represents the underlying transactions , events and elements/aspects of service performance in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit) in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with the Board of Management regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Restriction on Use
This report is made solely to the Board of Management, as a body. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to the Board of Management those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Incorporated Society and the Board of Management as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Dated at Auckland this 28th day of March 2025
Snapshop Quotes
“Maybe you can’t prevent accidents, accidents happen anyway. But when they happen to have people who are helping you, who actually care about you… it was awesome … and just like that, they helped us.”
“The Rugby Foundation are part of our whānau … They’re part of you and yourself really and when you do catch up with them, it’s like you were chatting yesterday… there’s no you know, there’s no warmup period or anything. It’s just G’day, how ya going, big hugs and you pick up where you left off. If it’s not family, it’s pretty bloody close friends.”
“I’ve always loved rugby and now I love the Foundation.”
“You feel more involved, because you’re a subgroup, you kind of feel like, you’re not really closer to the All Blacks, but there’s a lot of ex All Blacks on the board and they seem to go out of their way to help or to do something to look after you.”
“When people ask, I just say, look, we’re we donate to this charity because I believe it’s a good charity, I believe it’s, it does what it says on the tin.”
“I feel the Rugby Foundation is a good thing, yeah, because it’s kind of kind of makes you feel that they care. Yeah, the rugby union and the rugby community care for you.”
“I’m not an anti rugby person in any way, shape or form. I’m anti on the ones who are still trying to cover it all up. But I still think that Rugby’s a great game. And that it would be a shame if it was altered severely to the point where it’s not what it is now. That’s the physical game and that’s what we pride ourselves on in the game – the physicality and the brutality of it.”
“I liked the fact that they were trying to think outside the box and how to generate another income stream so they didn’t have to rely so much on luncheons and dinners.”
“Meeting and getting to know the VIPs, hearing their stories and understanding how they are adapting and changing to life after their accident is inspiring and important to donors.”
VIP Grant Sharman with Keven Mealamu and Lance Pakura.
VIP Kerrin Tilley fishing.
VIP Jack McSweeney.
VIP Wayne Forest.
VIP Josh Freer loving his new sport.
Saving Lives
“In 2016, NZRF board member, John “Doc” Mayhew, suffered a cardiac arrest. NZRF President, Andy Dalton, said the former All Blacks doctor would have died had there not been an AED nearby so that life-saving treatment could be administered without delay. Our Board wanted to ensure that something good came out of the incident. So, we set ourselves the goal of installing AEDs at every rugby club in New Zealand,” said Dalton.
Of the 480 rugby clubs in New Zealand, 316 clubs have an AED, of which 122 of these clubs have had their AED donated by the NZ Rugby Foundation with the costs amounting to $244,000. (164 are still required.)
Funding has been provided by the Lion Foundation, NZ Community Trust, North and South, Freemasons Foundation and Mainland.
Dr John Mayhew said he was extremely proud of the NZRF’s effort. “Our AED programme has already gone toward helping save the lives of four people by providing first-responders with access to the life-saving equipment.”
There are seven cardiac arrests in New Zealand every day, over 2000 per year and a survival rate of 11%.
As part of ‘World Restart a Heart Day’ the NZRF has launched The ‘Heart Club’.
Andy Dalton said, “The purpose of this exclusive club is to recognise and celebrate the lives of our rugby players, and their families and communities. The club also provides a peer support group for people affected by heart and other medical incidents. This is our way of being part of the wider global community which recognises care and wellbeing.”
Our role of honour of Club members are the survivors who were resuscitated with an AED:
2016 The founder member is Rugby Foundation Director, Dr John Mayhew
2021 Andrew Bartram (Te Puna Rugby Club, Bay of Plenty)
2022 Heinrich Fourie (Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Rugby Union)
2023 Shaheen Amod (Suburbs Rugby Football Club, Auckland)
2024 Bevan Mather (Silverdale Rugby Club, North Harbour)
“The purpose of this exclusive club is to recognise and celebrate the lives of our rugby players, and their families and communities. The club also provides a peer support group for people affected by heart and other medical incidents.”
Hein Fourie, May 2022, resuscitated by his team mates with a recently gifted NZRF/ NZCT defib.
Near Miss Anecdotes
TAKEN OFF SURVEY MONKEY
“I don’t think it could have been handled any better. The player was immediately secured and by team physios and ambulance was there within minutes. Our processes work perfectly and probably had a big impact of the way the player recovered so well.”
“This injury happened when jackling over the ball and I feel that is a dangerous part of the game. The player trying to get the ball or penalty are very exposed especially when getting cleaned out and in this case by a much larger player.”
“There was no one person we could relate to from the club to find out information regarding the location of and access to safety equipment or the presence of medical personnel onsite or how to access these. We initially felt very much in the dark with my husband and I looking after the seriously injured player and another member of our group ringing 111. A young man with first Aid who recognised concussion symptoms was sent in but his knowledge was limited. Thankfully a member of the injured players team sent a family associate of one of the team members to provide help. She took over dealing with the 111 personnel. It would have been so incredibly helpful if we could have had clear communication with one representative from the club who knew the specific details I have mentioned above.”
“Support was quick and followed up regarding which was what we needed. When a family member has an serious injury sometimes you don’t actually know what you need as it’s all such a shock, so it’s good to have someone to keep checking in.”
“Having dealt with the Rugby Foundation a couple of times in the last five year I think the work they do is amazing. We are so lucky to have the advise and services provided.”
“Very impressed with the regular follow up calls to make sure all was OK.”
“So grateful that you helped reimburse our flights back to Invercargill after being helicoptered up there from Gore. Appreciated the regular calls and offer of support as was a scary time for us. But she was very lucky.”
Research That Matters
We have supported two research projects:
Brain Recovery and Preparedness in Adolescents using Imaging after a Rugby season (Brain-RePAIR) update
Kumanu Tāngata: The AfterMatch Project
$75K INVESTED IN 2024
RESEARCH THAT MATTERS
B rain Re covery and P reparedness in A dolescents using I maging after a R ugby season (Brain-RePAIR) update
by Josh McGeown, PhD., Senior Research Fellow, Honorary Research Fellow, Anatomy & Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Neurological Foundation First Fellowship
In March 2025, the BrainRePAIR study entered its second year. This project is aimed at making the game safer by using instrumented mouthguards and advanced brain scans to study how repetitive head impacts and concussion affect brain health, but
more importantly, by understanding how the brain recovers after injury.
This project is jointly supported by New Zealand Rugby Foundation, Hugh Green Foundation, and Neurological Foundation and is a collaborative effort between scientists at Mātai Medical Research Institute, University of Auckland, University of Otago, and
Auckland University of Technology. So far, over 50 First XV rugby players and their whānau have partnered with the Research Team to discover how to make the game safer for current and future generations. A major goal of the study is to identify how long the stand-down times and the off-season should be to allow the brain to heal after a concussion or season of rugby, respectively.
RESEARCH THAT MATTERS
Kumanu Tāngata: The AfterMatch Project
by Drs Steph D’Souza & Ken Quarrie (on behalf of the Project Team), Co-Principal Investigators
Rugby is more than just a game; it’s a lifelong passion for many. But what happens after the final whistle?
The Kumanu Tāngata Project is dedicated to understanding the longterm health of former rugby players and ensuring that the game continues to evolve with player welfare at its core.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS IN 2024
This year has been a big one for our research, with important milestones in our understanding of rugby’s long-term health impacts:
• Study Protocol Published – Our study protocol was published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, outlining the rigorous approach we take to investigating player health.
• Neurodegenerative Disease Research Under Review – A key paper examining neurodegenerative disease
outcomes in former first-class male rugby players is currently under review with Sports Medicine. Findings show a small increase in risk compared to the general population.
• Mortality Trends Among Former Players – We found that former rugby players generally had lower death rates than the general population until they reached 80 years of age. However, after 80, they had higher rates of death from neurodegenerative diseases. Players also had lower rates of death from respiratory and metabolic diseases compared to males of the same age and ethnic origin from the general population. Overall, players had about 8.4 months less premature mortality per player (on average) across all causes of death; deaths from neurodegenerative causes were responsible for about 2 weeks increased premature mortality per player (on average).
• Differences by Playing Position and Career Length
– Our research showed that player position and rugby exposure influence long-term health outcomes:
– Forwards had higher rates of deaths related to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
– Backs had a higher rate of alcohol-related deaths than forwards
– Longer rugby careers were linked to increased neurodegenerative disease deaths but lower respiratory disease deaths.
• Global Recognition of Our Findings – We presented these findings at the International Population Data Linkage Network Conference in Chicago in September 2024, bringing international attention to rugby’s long-term health impacts.
LOOKING AHEAD
As we continue to build on these insights, our focus remains on understanding how changes in the game—especially since the shift to professionalism in 1996— might influence health outcomes for today’s players. By working together with players, coaches, and medical professionals, we aim to ensure that rugby remains a safe and sustainable sport for future generations.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of our partners and the wider rugby community. The funding from the NZ Rugby Foundation and World Rugby has been crucial for allowing this research to be done to keep player wellbeing at the forefront of the game.
Very Injured Players (VIPs)
Very Injured Players (VIPs)
Deceased on field that we know of Joeli Fifita
Robert Hickland 2008 †
Willie Halaifonua 2013 †
Jordon Kemp 2014 †
Daniel Baldwin 2017 †
Geoff Toni (cardiac event) 2017 †
Bevan Moody (cardiac event) 2017 † Lelea Potaufa (cardiac event) 2020 †
Murphy Johnston (cardiac event) 2021 †
Toko Haupuku (cardiac event) 2021 †
Mark Weedon (cardiac event) 2021 †
Robert Tuari (cardiac event) 2022 †
Cory Heather 2024 †
Jade Halkett (cardiac event) 2024 †
Elikena ‘Ali’ Prescott (cardiac event) 2024 †
Brook Wilson (cardiac event) 2024 †
Footnote: When placed immediately before or after a person’s name, the cross indicates that the person is deceased †
The Brain Health and Concussion plan
New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association are working together to establish best practice in managing the risks of concussion in rugby.
Like any contact sport, rugby carries risk of injury, but we believe our game can be played safely without compromising the competitive element or spectacle.
The Brain Health and Concussion plan sets out our collective actions to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion.
• Our three organisations (NZR, NZRPA and NZRF) are working together to ensure we are taking a ‘whole-ofgame’ approach to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep every player as safe as possible from the risks of concussion.
• The welfare of our players is collectively our top priority, and this is why it made sense for our organisations to work in partnership on this.
• This plan, which will be updated annually, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to transparency and openness.
• Our focus in this plan is on five key areas: Injury Prevention, Injury Management, education and training, research and monitoring, and Communication.
• We aim to continue ensuring that players, referees, coaches, parents, clubs, and fans have access to the information they need to support player welfare at every level.
OUR PLAN
The plan is set out across the five key focus areas of the Brain Health and Concussion ~Risk Management Framework. Underpinning these is the commitment that all initiatives will consider the differing needs of our participants to ensure they are culturally safe.
Within each focus area lies its goal, a description and a table outlining the planned initiatives. Initiatives will fall into one of two categories; a)proven initiatives we have established and will continue
to deliver, or b) new or improved initiatives designed to further bolster our support of brain health and concussion risk management. This work is informed by a range of policies, laws and regulations which have been established to safeguard players within the game.
MORE INFORMATION
• There is a whole section on the NZR website and which shares all information for participants, and this will continue to have education campaigns throughout our community rugby season.
• Professional players can reach out to their PUs, Super Clubs, NZR or the NZRPA for more information.
New Zealand Rugby unveils comprehensive Concussion Risk Management Plan
https://www.rugbyfoundation.nz/ newsarticle/151470?newsfeedId= 1735001newsarticle/151470? newsfeedId=1735001
Collaboration with the Auckland University Brain Bank, The Neurological Foundation, NZR, NZRPA and NZRF.
Our Team
Lisa Kingi-Bon
Ben Sturmfels
Kaitlin Rose
Valasi Eves
Jo Thomas
Kelly Rarere
VIP Michael Fatialofa, Tatiana and Tommy.
VIP Keenan Alexander.
Created in 2022, the Pettigrew Giving Circle pools the resources of significant individual and corporate donors to provide greater immediate impact to our communities. The New Zealand Rugby Foundation would like to acknowledge the support of the following:
Wayne EDWARDS
Julian ARNHOLD
Brady & Kylee WILLIAMS
Craig BURGESS
MACRENNIE COMMERICAL CONSTRUCTION LTD
Andrew HORGAN
Bryce CALDWELL
Willy & Rick JOHNSTON
Nick TONGUE
Gavin & Amanda NELL
Pat COLL
Thanks
Acknowledging these individuals who gave up their time to assist in various generous ways either on stage or as elements of auction items:
Buck Anderson
John Bowring
Dominion Breweries
David Campese
Monalisa Codling
Alternative Commentary
Collective
Mike Copeland
Ron Cribb
Andy Dalton
Ian Foster
Gretchen Hawkesby
Sir Graham Henry
Raewyn Lady Henry
Sir John Key
David Kirk
Laura McGoldrick
The Rock Morning Rumble
Brian O’Driscoll
Ross Ormsby
Centurions RFC
Harlequins RFC
NZ Barbarians RFC
Massey RFC
Whanganui RFU
Blues Rugby
Chiefs Rugby
Hurricanes Rugby
Crusaders Rugby
Highlanders Rugby
Moana Pasifika Rugby
Drua Rugby
Anna Richards
Charlie Riechelmann
Scott Robertson
Melodie Robinson
Eric Rush
Jason Ryan
Hon David Seymour
Scotty Stevenson
Bob Symon
Gail Trapp
Maurice Trapp
Tana Umaga
Alan Whetton
Sir Bryan Williams
Lesley Lady Williams
Jeff Wilson
www.facebook.com/NZRugbyFoundation www.instagram.com/nz_rugby_foundation www.rugbyfoundation.nz
We stand in service to all registered rugby players in New Zealand. In 2024, there were 155,568 registered players. This covers 26 Provincial Unions, which include 480 Clubs and 296 Secondary Schools across the motu. Since records began in 1966, we have 118 VIPs in our NZ Rugby Foundation family.