Kiwi success in 2016 Dragon Boating World Championship

Christchurch high school team soars in 2016 Dragon Boating World Championships

• Avonside Girls High School (AGHS) Dragon Boating Team took home three gold medals at the 2016 Club Crew World Dragon Boating Championships
• The AGHS team won the 200m, 500m and 2,000m races
• The team was awarded Jetstar’s 17th Flying Start grant of $30,000 earlier in the year which allowed them to compete in Adelaide World Championships

AGHS Dragon Boating Team raced to success at the 2016 Club Crew World Dragon Boating Championships, held in Adelaide from 01 to 07 April, making New Zealand proud by bringing home three gold medals.

Earlier this year the AGHS team won a Jetstar Flying Start grant, made up of $15,000 of Jetstar flights and $15,000 cash. The grant was used to fly the 28 strong squad to Adelaide to represent New Zealand at the 2016 World Championships.

With the suburb of Avonside badly affected by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes, many of the high school were displaced, and had to live in temporary accommodation. Nevertheless, the team’s spirit provides a worthy inspiration to the surrounding area, repeatedly doing their community proud by being declared National Champions three years running.

Head of Jetstar New Zealand, Grant Kerr, said, “What a great result for the team. Taking home three gold medals at the World Championships is no mean feat and the Avonside Girls’ High School Dragon Boating team has really done its school and community proud.

“Being able to help community organisations and teams like this is the driving force behind Jetstar’s Flying Start grant and we’re glad to have helped them get to Adelaide to represent New Zealand, and their community on a world stage.”

Coach, Evan Roper, added, “This was the first time Avonside has competed overseas at an international regatta. We’re extremely proud of the team for winning all three races in their age group and are so thankful for Jetstar’s help getting them there”.

The Jetstar Flying Start Programme invites community groups and organisations to apply for a grant of $30,000 to be used to fund a project that will enrich the lives of people in their local community. The entries are reviewed by a panel of judges, who select a deserving community group each quarter.

Applications for the next grant close at 5.00pm on 30 Jun 2016. Any New Zealand based not-for-profit community group or organisation in need of a Flying Start is encouraged to apply. Full application details and conditions can be found at www.jetstar.com.

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