CMC Markets and Variety mark 12 years of partnership

CMC Markets and Variety mark 12 years of partnership with announcement of 2018 Gold Heart Scholarship recipients

Auckland, New Zealand: Monday 7th May, 2018

Leading online trading platform, CMC Markets New Zealand (CMC), is delighted to be celebrating its 12th year as supporter of the Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme, with the announcement today of the 2018 recipients.

The 13 scholars have been selected from around the country and will each receive up to $5,000 of funding to help them reach their full potential in their chosen field – be it sports, academia or the performing arts. As far as possible, the scholars will also be paired with a suitable mentor in order to further enhance their success.

Among this year’s recipients are a number of Commonwealth, Olympic and Paralympic Games hopefuls from sporting codes as varied as swimming, shotput, wheelchair racing and sevens rugby. The scholarship funds will play a critical role in helping these students take the next step towards achieving their goals.

Chris Smith, General Manager of CMC Markets NZ, says it’s a privilege to be able to make a difference each and every year, providing support to a number of talented young New Zealanders who otherwise might not have the resources at their disposal to follow their goals and ambitions.

“CMC Markets continues to be incredibly proud to partner with Variety – the Children's Charity. During the time that we’ve been on board, we’ve seen some wonderful success stories come through the scholarship programme – with a number of recipients going on to do amazing things on the world stage, through their various passions. We look forward to seeing what this new round of recipients goes on to achieve, thanks to the wonderful work Variety is doing around the country,” says Smith.

Since coming on board as a major sponsor, CMC has donated over $325,000 via the scholarship programme, helping to give over 100 disadvantaged children the opportunity to succeed in spite of any number of personal challenges, financial or otherwise.

Variety – the Children’s Charity’s chief executive officer, Lorraine Taylor, says the number of applications received this year reiterates just how important it is to offer support to talented Kiwi kids.

“Whether their talent lies in the field of sports, education or the arts, the 13 selected recipients for 2018 really impressed us. Not only are these scholars highly motivated, they are driven, focussed and determined to create a successful future for themselves,” she says, adding that many have overcome personal challenges along the way.

“However, without the support the Gold Heart Scholarship programme offers, many of the recipients would be forced to abandon their dreams. It is for this reason we are so grateful to yet again have the support of CMC Markets. The difference these scholarships have made for many Kiwi kids over the past 12 years is outstanding,” says Taylor.

“By offering these scholarships year after year, it is our hope that no dreams or successes are halted due to financial limitations.”

As is the case every year, any New Zealand resident or citizen under the age of 18 is welcome to apply for the Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme.

Typically, scholarship funds can be used to assist with the payment of tuition fees, personal development, coaching, purchasing training equipment, accommodation or travel costs associated with their chosen field.

The full list of 2018 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship recipients, supported by CMC Markets, is as follows – or you can read more about the scholarship winners here:

Levi Popata, 14, Whangarei – a previous Gold Heart Scholarship recipient, Levi’s scholarship has been awarded once again for his outstanding dedication to education. The funds will enable Levi to maintain his study, boarding at Whangarei Boys’ High School, where he is working towards his goal of achieving NCEA Level 1 endorsed with Merit.

Crystal Cook, 15, Kaiwaka – scholarship awarded for her dedication to kickboxing. Already a world champion for her age and weight, the funds will enable Crystal to attend the Junior World Kickboxing Championships in Italy in September 2018.

Beth Reid, 16, Auckland – with aspirations to compete as part of the New Zealand Women’s Softball team at the 2020, 2024 and 2028 Olympics, Beth’s scholarship has been awarded for her dedication to softball and baseball. The funds will enable her to attend the Under 19 Canada Cup International Softball tournament in July – supplementing her savings from two part-time jobs and other fundraising efforts.

Chelsey Edwards, 15, Wellington - a previous Gold Heart Scholar, Chelsey’s scholarship has been awarded for her dedication to swimming. Chelsey trains between 18-20 hours per week and having won the 2017 Hutt Valley Young Sportswoman of the Year award, now has her sights set on the Junior Pan Pacific Games in Fiji in August and the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in October – made possible via the scholarship funds.

Phaeora Sims, 17, Hamilton – scholarship awarded for her dedication to inline hockey. The funds will enable Phaeora to represent New Zealand at the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports World Championships in Italy in July 2018.

Ieuan Edwards, 15, Christchurch – scholarship awarded for his dedication to swimming. With aspirations to represent New Zealand at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2024 Paralympic Games, the scholarship funds will enable Ieuan to take part in the New Zealand Open, Short Course Champs, as well as a number of development camps.

Celyn Edwards, 17, Christchurch – scholarship awarded for his dedication to swimming. Having just represented New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and with a goal to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the scholarship funds will help Celyn take part in a number of development camps.

Lovely Pulotu, 16, Auckland – scholarship awarded for her dedication to rugby. After 10 years playing touch, tag, sevens, 10s and 15s rugby, Lovely now has a goal of representing New Zealand’s on the Women’s Sevens team, including at international competitions like the Olympics. Funds will go towards the purchase of uniforms and training equipment.

Laci Iro, 14, Auckland – scholarship awarded for her dedication to netball and tag. Following a victorious trip to the Tag20 Oceania Heritage Cup last year, the funds will enable Laci to compete with the New Zealand tag team in Melbourne in November 2018.

David Hafoka Pulotu, 14, Auckland – scholarship awarded for his dedication to rugby league. Having already been selected as part of the U14 Auckland North Representative Team, and played in the U14 Grade Auckland Rugby League Championship, David is keen to further his skills – and the scholarship funds will assist with registration fees, travel costs and the purchase of gear including boots and uniforms.

Montana Brown, 14, Christchurch – scholarship awarded for her dedication to Wheelchair Racing. With cerebral palsy and spastic displegia, Montana fell in love with Wheelchair Racing just last year and has already competed in the Halberg Games, bringing home Silver in the 100m and 200m races, as well as bronze in the 50m. With a goal to represent New Zealand at the Paralympics, the funds will assist with the purchase of a purpose-built wheelchair, replacing the borrowed chair she is currently using on loan from ParaFed Canterbury.

Percy Maka, 12, Auckland – scholarship awarded for his dedication to athletics, including discus and shotput. Having already broken a number of international age records, Percy has spent hundreds of hours training and competing in his chosen sports. The scholarship funds will be dedicated to the purchase of new training gear, as well as accommodation costs when he attends the 46th New Zealand Secondary School Track, Field and Road Race Champs in Dunedin later in the year.

Verity Skoludek (Howells), 15, Hamilton – scholarship awarded for her dedication to the performing arts. Last year’s Junior Theatre Celebration New Zealand event saw Verity awarded the title of Best Vocals, Best Ensemble and All Star (outstanding individual performer) – adding to a long list of competition titles and scholarships. The scholarship funds will be dedicated to tuition costs for ongoing private vocal lessons.

About CMC Markets New Zealand:

Locally based for over 11 years, CMC Markets New Zealand is part of the global independent financial services provider, CMC Markets Group. We offer New Zealand traders a complete trading package through our award-winning Next Generation trading platform, which is 100% automated and provides access to over 10,000 products across CFDs and foreign exchange (FX).

Through custom-built apps for iPhone, iPad and Android, mobile traders have the freedom to execute trades and check the market as required. A Licensed Derivatives Issuer by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Our global presence covers Asia, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Europe and Canada. For more information about CMC Markets, please visit www.cmcmarkets.co.nz.

About Variety – the Children’s Charity

Variety - the Children's Charity provides tailored, flexible support to disadvantaged children in New Zealand. With their support, Kiwi kids have increased access to the same opportunities as other children, a happier healthier childhood, and the foundation for a better future. For more information about Variety - the Children’s Charity, please visit www.variety.org.nz.

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