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. 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2024 • 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.
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