The purpose of the Rodney Green Foundation is to encourage and support locals in the Hawke’s Bay to participate and engage in sport. We support athletes, sports teams and surrounding services that feed into local sport and support community groups and individuals.
Our purpose is to ensure that funding we provide is used to further a charitable or community cause.
We support a range of team sports across Hawkes Bay each season. Below is some information on the teams we are supporting and what sports they play
Cater for all Primary & Intermediate School children from age 4 – 13 who want to play Rugby Union.
The Napier Harrier Club was founded in 1934 and is a family orientated club with over 100 members ranging in age from 7 to 70 and caters for runners of all abilities from beginners to Nationally ranked speedsters.
One of the most successful provincial clubs in New Zealand, Napier City Rovers has a proud history of producing players who have gone on to gain full international honours, representing NZ in the All Whites, and NZ Under 23s.
Eric Speakman has been proudly representing the Napier Harrier Club since the age of 7. A student of Greenmeadows Primary School, and then Taradale Intermediate and High Schools, Eric was always 'the runner kid'.
By the end of year 13 he had become the New Zealand and Pacific Schools 1500m Champion and earned himself a full athletic scholarship to Stony Brook University in New York, USA...
Success continued for Eric, setting multiple school records, winning conference championships, and being named the America East Conference Man of the Year. After university his sights turned to the Olympics and in 2016, he fell agonizingly short (just 1.3 seconds) of making the New Zealand team to Rio. Not to be dismayed, he continued his pursuit of running for New Zealand and in 2017 won the National Senior Men’s 1500m title.
An achilles injury shortly after this meant surgery and no chance at making the 2018 Commonwealth Games Team. Healthy again in 2021, Eric claimed national runner-up honours in the 1500m, Mile, 3000m, and 5000m National Championships and decided to give the now delayed Olympics another nudge. Despite rampant covid-19 implications worldwide, The Rodney Green Foundation enabled Eric to leave his job for three months to live and train like a professional in the hope of making the 5000m team to Tokyo.
First was a trip to one of the worlds running elite meccas for altitude training - Flagstaff, AZ. After a month of training in Flagstaff, Eric travelled down to the bright lights of Los Angeles California. In a race where Eric was the only non-professional starter, he placed 3rd in 13:22 taking him to 9th on New Zealand's all-time list and lowering his own Hawkes Bay record.
Further travels to Michigan to train with Nick Willis, and on to Europe for a last gasp attempt at qualifying, Eric once again missed out on the team by the narrowest of margins. His time was good enough to make the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, but unfortunately not 2020.
With the continued support of The Rodney Green Foundation, Eric is in a strong position to get himself into the coveted black singlet of New Zealand as he currently carries a qualifying performance for the 2022 Commonwealth Games Team and requires just one more.
You can catch Eric in action going for 5000m gold when Hawkes Bay hosts the 2022 National Championships at the Sports Park, March 3rd-6th.
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Young Reuben has Coffin Lowry syndrome, a buggy keeps him safe and comfortable when out and about. Earlier this year Reubens buggy was taken by someone and despite extensive use of social media it wasn’t returned. The Rodney Green Foundation enabled the family to order a replacement from America and now Reuben and his family are enjoying getting out and about together again.
The Foundation sponsors and support a number of sporting venues and facilities throughout Hawke’s Bay
Apply for Funding
Sporting organisations play a crucial role in keeping our communities connected and thriving. The Rodney Green Foundation is here to assist these organisations with a “hand up not a handout”.
The Rodney Green Foundation considers funding for organisations that make a difference in the community, with focus on community connectedness; mental health; social development; health through sport; children and youth issues; older adults; community venues; community groups and individuals.
Community organisations and individuals can apply for any charitable purpose within the Hawke’s Bay region, as defined by the area within the jurisdiction of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council – this includes Hastings District, Napier City, Wairoa District and Central Hawke’s Bay.
Applications for funding can be made during August and September each year.
If you are unsure whether you can apply for funding, please email manager@rodneygreenfoundation.co.nz
