Sports Inclusivity Fund

Following the 15 March 2019 terror attack, Canterbury’s sporting communities were devastated. 

The Christchurch Foundation and our partners wanted to do something to create a positive legacy using sport. We saw an opportunity to use a shared passion that transcends ethnicity as a vehicle to help increase the inclusion and understanding of ethnic minorities within our communities.

Football and cricket, sports played and enjoyed globally by diverse ethnicities, appeared a logical place to start.

The Christchurch Foundation is working with Mainland Football, Canterbury Cricket, Sport Canterbury, Sport New Zealand and the Christchurch City Council on this project.

A generous founding gift from New Zealand Cricket launched this fund and has enabled us to conduct research about the barriers faced by different ethnic groups.

In 2021 a Diversity and Inclusion Manager was appointed to develop and implement trial programmes, within cricket and football.  A trial programme has been written and work began in July 2021, initially with three clubs from each code.

Over time it is intended that the learnings from this trial will then be able to be built into a programme that can be applied across more sporting codes, and across New Zealand.

You can help too. By donating to this fund, you’ll help create a climate of inclusion, fun and comradery on fields and sports grounds within greater Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Whether or not you’re cheering on the sidelines each weekend or getting amongst it on the field – you can always get involved with your donation. Let’s play!

Thank you.