On Tuesday, 3 October, Inventus Cares Charitable Trust, in collaboration with Kennards Hire and Eden Park, teamed up to put together an unforgettable day for 40 children from their holiday program. This event celebrated community support, providing young individuals with an extraordinary opportunity to train at the iconic Eden Park.
The day started with the children touring the hallowed corridors of Eden Park, where legendary Black Ferns, All Blacks, and Kiwis and Pasifika players had once prepared for battle. This immersive experience allowed them to soak in the stadium's rich history.
One of the day's highlights was a goal-kicking session on the pristine Eden Park Number One field, where the aspiring young athletes could hone their skills on the same turf graced by their sporting heroes.
Following the training session, the young participants had lunch and spent a captivating afternoon filled with fun training activities and games on the Kennards Hire Community Oval. Laughter filled the air as the children engaged in sports and activities that nurtured their physical well-being and fostered connections with their peers.
When Eden Park and Kennards Hire were approached by Richard White, Director of Inventus Sports and Inventus Cares Charitable Trust, to use the Kennards Hire Community Oval for an October activity, there was no hesitation.
“The Kennards Hire Community Oval is just that, a place the community can come together to play a game of cricket, kick a ball, or just spend some time with friends and family. We were delighted Inventus Cares was able to use the space to hold a great day for these inspirational young athletes,” said Tom Kimber, General Manager Kennards Hire.
Inventus Cares has been at the forefront of youth development for ten years, offering free school holiday programs that equip young athletes with the knowledge of how to train effectively. These programs provide access to top sprint, speed, strength, and mental performance coaches, along with valuable lessons on health and well-being.
However, this year, funding for these programs, previously provided through Breakaway, faced unexpected cuts, affecting Breakaway school holiday initiatives. As a result, Inventus Cares had to make the difficult decision to cancel their September school holiday sessions due to insufficient time to secure an alternative funding source.
Jason Myks, High-Performance Coach and an integral part of the Inventus Cares initiative, said, "This is the first school holidays in recent memory where Manukau Rovers Clubrooms hasn't been a hive of activity. Many kids and parents were left with limited free alternatives to keep children active, away from screens, and engaged with their peers.”
“However, when all hope seemed lost, Kennards Hire and Eden Park stepped in, coming to the rescue and ensuring that Inventus Cares could still provide these kids with a memorable and enriching day. This event served as a much-needed ray of hope and a reminder of what's possible when we come together to support our community."
Richard White, Director of Inventus Sports and Inventus Cares, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stated, "It's a privilege to support these young individuals and provide them with opportunities they might not have had otherwise. Events like these are a testament to the power of community collaboration and the positive impact it can have on the lives of our youth, especially in the sporting arena."
Inventus Cares would like to thank to Kennards Hire and Eden Park for making this day possible. This collaboration exemplifies the dedication to youth empowerment through sport and community well-being that lies at the heart of these organisations.
For more information about Inventus Sports and Inventus Cares and its mission, please visit www.inventus.co.nz.