Sporting Seymour’s Step into a New Role

Media Release
21 February 2011

Sporting Seymour’s Step into a New Role as Camp Quality Ambassadors

Two of New Zealand’s top sporting achievers, Dallas and Julie Seymour, have taken up a new role as South Island Ambassadors for Camp Quality NZ.

Dallas, former All Black and NZ Sevens player, and Julie, former Silver Ferns representative, are the new faces for the not-for-profit volunteer organisation dedicated to bringing fun, hope and happiness to children living with cancer.

With four children of their own, the youngsters were the inspiration behind getting involved with the charity. “Just knowing how precious our kids are and how lucky we are to have them, we thought we would love to do something to help out other kids,” says Julie. “We were already aware of Camp Quality and what they did, so the connection could not of being more perfect.”

As the newly appointed Ambassadors, Dallas and Julie are looking forward to meeting all the people associated with Camp Quality.

The Commonwealth Games medallists recently visited the Camp Quality South Camp and loved the experience. “It was great to not just visit, but to stay the night and meet all the campers, companions and everyone that makes up the camp. We thoroughly enjoyed being apart of it and it just reinforced the fantastic idea of camp.”

Camp Quality NZ Chairman Ivan Lawson says he is thrilled the Seymour’s have taken up this new role. “With the very busy lives both Dallas and Julie lead, the dedication and commitment they have already shown to Camp Quality is priceless. We feel extremely privileged to now have Ambassadors in both the North and South Island.”

The pair join former Kiwis and Warriors league star Stacey Jones in putting their name behind Camp Quality. Stacey was appointed a Camp Quality Ambassador in 2008.

Dallas, a former Canterbury Crusaders loose forward, played three games for the All Blacks in 1992 in Australia and South Africa. He was a member of the NZ Sevens side for 14 years, including gold medal victory at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.

Julie, who still turns her hand to coaching, is the assistant coach for the Canterbury Tactix. She played 90 tests for the Silver Ferns from 1994 to 2009, including two silver medal successes at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998 and Manchester, England in 2002.

The first New Zealand camp was held in West Auckland in January 1985 and attracted 22 youngsters from throughout New Zealand. Now around 300 youngsters attend one of five regional summer camps nationwide with more than 750 volunteers, helping to make the camps a safe and fun environment.

According to Child Cancer Foundation statistics, about 150 young New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer each year. Camp Quality passionately believes in the power of fun to help these children and their families overcome the challenges of living with cancer.

Ends

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