Outstanding young athletes receive sporting grants

Four exceptional young athletes have been awarded grants from the Mitre 10 MEGA Whanganui Future Champions Trust to support their sporting journeys.

Rhomeo Baker and brothers Kauri and Tahurangi Harrison have been selected to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the Asia Pacific World Kickboxing Championships in Bali, scheduled for February-March 2025. The trio, based in Marton and members of the Rangitīkei Mixed Martial Arts Club, regularly compete in local and regional tournaments.

Meanwhile, Amber Auret, a student at Whanganui Girls’ College, is the fourth recipient of a grant this round, thanks to her achievements in equestrian sports. In September, Amber represented New Zealand in the Under 17 Equestrian Team at events held in Suzhou and Xianyang, China – her first overseas competition.

The grants were presented at two ceremonies held in Marton and Whanganui this week.

The Mitre 10 MEGA Whanganui Future Champions Trust aims to provide a “hand up” to young athletes striving to reach their full potential in their chosen sports.

Trust representative Philippa Baker-Hogan said “We were incredibly impressed not only by the strength of the applications, but also the significant community support behind these athletes.

She added, “It’s exciting to see a growing representation of ‘less traditional’ sports, which highlights the breadth and depth of young sporting talent in our region.”

The Mitre 10 MEGA Whanganui Future Champions Trust has been empowering athletes for over a decade, awarding more than $100,000 to 77 individual athletes. Funding rounds are held three times each year in February, June, and October.

Athletes interested in applying for funding support are encouraged to visit the Trust’s website to review the funding criteria and download an application form. The next funding round closes on 28 February 2025.

The Trust extends its gratitude to Mitre 10 Mega Whanganui, the Arthur Wheeler Leedstown Trust, Sport Whanganui, Shane Stone Builders, and the many local businesses and individual donors who have supported the Trust over the years.

The Trust welcomes continued support at all levels and encourages interested businesses to contact them via www.futurechampionstrust.org.

Photo from L: Brett Harrison, Sport Whanganui CE Tania King, recipients Rhomeo Baker, Kauri Harrison, Tahurangi Harrison, trust representative Philippa Baker-Hogan, Sport Whanganui’s Raydon Semmons, Rangitīkei MMA coach Lucas Bush.