The Adventures of Forward Foundation

Forward Foundation got a face-lift | December 10, 2015

Woah! Refurbishment going on at Forward Foundation. You’re probably thinking; ‘it’s quite stunning really, how’d they come up with that?’

We sent an S.O.S to local behavioural design talent, Annabelle Nichols, and she answered our call. We set the goal of coming up with a design that was feminine, modern & simplistic which communicated everything the Foundation is and has become.

What do you see when you look at the logo? The flowing symbols show the motion of sport and movement in general, while there are two other symbols merged in the centre of the circle. Some see one, some see the other and those lucky few see both. But we’re not going to go telling our secrets…

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Apply now to join us at the Forward Foundation Ambassador Conference | October 27, 2015

We’re looking for an Ambassador to join us at the first ever Forward Foundation Ambassador Conference in Christchurch! If you're a female high school student, are actively involved in sport, and would like to attend the most inspiring conference of the year... read on!

We have one spot available at our Forward Foundation Ambassador Conference from 11 - 13 December 2015, and we want YOU to join us!

The conference was designed for our FF Ambassadors, and you'll be attending with them - this is the first time they've all met together, so this is a fantastic opportunity for you to become an Ambassador for a weekend.

The conference includes guest speakers, outdoor activities, team building, workshops, and of course the opportunity to make 19 like-minded friends! It will focus on goal setting, promoting your minority sport, and personal and sporting achievements. You can read more information on the Ambassador Programme here. The conference is based in Christchurch, and we will discuss travel with you. Some funding may be available to you based on your location.

So... keen? Flick us an email at forwardfoundation.nz@gmail.com by 5pm on Friday, 13 November, telling us:

Your name, age, email address, high school, postal address and cellphone number
The sport you play
A bullet point list of your sporting involvement (e.g. teams you play / have played in, any captaincies, leadership roles etc.)
A briefoverview of other leadership roles you've held in your school or community
Why you want to attend the FF Ambassador Conference (200 words max.)

After that, we'll be in touch - good luck!

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Yep, it's a bit of a strange proposition, but it's exactly what our Ambassadors took on in the hope to raise enough money to get to our first ever FF Ambassador Conference in December.

For two whole weeks, these girls having been carting their sport equipment around EVERYWHERE they go - through the supermarket, in bed and even getting up on stage to receive an award at school assembly. They've embraced every awkward moment, puzzled glance and nervous question from bystanders.

And they hit the mark - at the end of the fourteen days, our Ambassadors raised enough money for their travel to and from the conference, with a little bit left in the piggy bank for some extra treats.

Was it worth it? We're sure we know the answer to that, but watch this space for rave conference reviews in December.

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Over and out for this stellar season | September 3, 2015

Forward Foundation started with grass roots rugby in the mighty Canterbury region, and the girls in black are still going strong.

This season, the Forward Foundation school girls’ rugby team comprised students from St Margaret’s, Ellsemere and Villa Maria Colleges, who fought it out in the Canterbury Interschool mid-week 10s competition. All the players came from different backgrounds and experience levels yet by the end of the season had merged into a seamless team.

The girls were unbeaten for most of the season and strode their way into the final against Christchurch Girls High School. The final was a tough game and both teams displayed admirable talent and guts. In the end, CGHS pulled away with the win however the Foundation girls showed remarkable courage against the 15s-strong team.

Forward Foundation had a full squad this year for the Oamaru South Island Girls Rugby Festival. This is the third year we've taken a team of girls from various high schools in Canterbury, and the second year that the trip was funded by Youthtown. Thanks Youthtown - we couldn't have done it without you!

The girls who were chosen for the team didn't have a team of their own to play for at the tournament. We were more than lucky with the talent we had in our side, and we were stoked to give the girls this opportunity.

The team played four games each day on the Monday and Tuesday for the 15's competition, and drew a hard fought final to Southland Girls' High School, however on points count back the team placed second.

We also placed second in the 7's competition on the final day, and five of our players made the tournament team. It's safe to say we're so proud of what the girls achieved, and we can't wait for next year!

We're all volunteers here at Forward Foundation - and given it's National Volunteer Week, we'd like to thank all the amazing people who give their precious time and effort helping us do what we do.

Not only that, given sport is a key component of what we do, thanks also must go out to the thousands of volunteers who brave the rain and cold, angry parents, funding barriers and early starts to deliver the grass roots sport to Kiwi kids. We know it's tough at times, but our sporting environment would look a whole lot duller without you stars!

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Young women set to tackle female sporting participation in NZ

We are absolutely stoked to announce the twenty high school students as our first ever Forward Foundation Ambassadors.

Our Ambassadors will learn vital leadership skills, allowing them to develop personally, and contribute more to their sporting code. It's all about giving them the opportunity to grow, inspire those around them and promote their sports – which is of benefit to them, their communities, and the state of sport in New Zealand.

The quality of applications was absolutely outstanding, and we’re really pleased with the diversity of sports our ambassadors represent.

Congratulations to the 2015 Forward Foundation Ambassadors:

Phoenix Reid | Artistic Roller Skating | Palmerston North

Natasha Cribb | Aerobics | Southland

Marama Elkington | Waka Ama | Wellington

Bleuette Hill | Canoe Polo | Canterbury

Becky Davidson | Rugby | Canterbury

Taylor Aldridge | Rugby | Canterbury

Islay Fowler | Rugby | Canterbury

Monique Corson | Canoe Polo | Manawatu

Nicole Kennedy | Touch Rugby |Southland

Ruby Turnbull | Squash | Canterbury

Georgia Voice | Cycling | Canterbury

Ashleigh Goh | Fencing | Canterbury

Mackenzie Webb | Water Polo | Canterbury

Lena Jacob | Fencing | Auckland

Sophie Sangster | Community Sport | Southland

Katie Shaw | Athletics | Canterbury

Georgia Mason | Rugby | Otago

Holly Chandler | Beach Volleyball | Nelson

Jessica Rice | Gymsport | Wellington

Ella Brown | Cricket / Basketball | Southland

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Forward Foundation empowers young women through sporting development| March 6, 2015

Forward Foundation is set to empower young women and increase leadership and development opportunities through sport with the launch of its first nationwide initiative.

On March 8 – International Women’s Day – female high school students throughout New Zealand will be able to apply for the Forward Foundation Ambassador Programme.

Forward Foundation founder and trustee, Maddy Surie, says the programme will encourage more active sporting leadership involvement from young females, where there is currently an imbalance compared to men.

“Our goal is to see young Kiwi women achieve in both sport and leadership, and in the long run, have a stronger female voice in sporting governance in New Zealand,” Surie says.

“The programme targets the grass roots – if we start giving these awesome young women more development opportunities now, they’ll hopefully have a big part to play in the future of New Zealand’s female sporting environment.”

The Foundation will select 20 applicants to become Forward Foundation Ambassadors, who will receive an ‘ambassador pack’ of goods donated from business sponsors.

Whittaker’s Chocolate, RJ’s Liquorice, SUB apparel, Countdown, Gooses Screen Design, Pic’s Peanut Butter and Ken’s Cameras are among these sponsors.

Ambassadors will occupy an active role in school or community sport, initiating projects and growth opportunities and promoting the Foundation’s mission of assisting young female athletes by creating sporting development and leadership opportunities.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing some amazing applications – we know there’s some passionate and talented young women out there who can do great things for sport in New Zealand,” says Surie.

The Foundation hopes this programme will assist growth and reaching a long term goal – establishing a tertiary education scholarship for promising young leaders in sport.

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Yeah, we couldn't help ripping off that saying. Lame, we know, but you know what's not lame? Our new website. We've gone for a fresher look and feel, to better reflect our team and the people we are working hard for (...that's you). RIP Times New Roman... we won't miss you at all.

This page itself is a new feature, and it's where you want to be to keep up with the Foundation... we're way more interesting than the Kardashians, too.

Be sure to have a snoop around and let us know what you think... we'd love your feedback!

The Forward Foundation rugby team recently took on other Canterbury school girls rugby teams in the Burnside 7s Interschool Competition.

They faced some tough competition; 2 wins and a few of narrow losses, but the girls had a blast and as per usual did the charity proud. Schools involved in the FF team were Villa Maria, St Margaret's and Ellesmere High School.

This really sums up what the Foundation is all about: making sure everyone has a chance to develop their skills, play the sport they love, learn to lead and of course, make some awesome mates along the way.

The Adventures of Forward Foundation

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