The Canterbury Sports Foundation (Inc.) was established on June 29, 1978 with initial funding coming from a small surplus that had been accumulated from the running of the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch.
The initial aim of the Foundation was to foster the development of sport in Canterbury, with a special emphasis on the retenton and participation by school leavers - an area where there has always been a large drop off in participants.
Over the years the emphasis of the Foundation has altered marginally and now has a concentration on the production of quality coaching at all levels of sport, but particularly at the junior level. The overall theme of the development of sport has however, remained unaltered.
Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed in excess of $600,000 to individual clubs and associations to enable them to meet their objectives in developing sport. The document below summarises grants made since 1978:
Canterbury Sports Foundation Grants / Scholarships Since 1978 (Quantities & Value)
There are many success stories in Canterbury sport in which the Foundation has had a hand in providing assistance when it has been most needed. Of note are Rachel Battersby who has won gold medals in her class at the Winter Paralympics, as well as three year development projects for Canterbury Tennis and Canterbury Softball. The Foundation has also on a regular basis supported the Christchurch Secndary School and Primary & Intermediate School Sport Associations.
The Foundation makes a significant contribution to Canterbury sport and hopes to make an even greater impact in the future. This is however dependent on gaining a larger membership, particularly from the corporate sector.
