30 July 2013

Media Release

Sponsorship provides bright ‘Future’ for youth initiative

North Canterbury Fish & Game is excited to announce ‘Future Rivers’ as the major sponsor for the first year of its youth fishing initiative, ‘Young Anglers – Hooked on fun’

‘Future Rivers’, a New Zealand sponsorship management agency, has donated funds from it’s Conservation Trust, which was developed this year to enhance natural resources for outdoor recreation; allowing North Canterbury Fish & Game to roll out its pilot model. This will build on the region’s successful ‘Fish in Schools’ and ‘Take a Kid Fishing’ programs, which have been operating for a number of years.

Rod Cullinane, general manager North Canterbury Fish & Game, believes that in today’s society many children are missing out on the opportunities to discover the joys of angling and game bird hunting. Mr Cullinane says “we feel we can play a part in ensuring New Zealand’s youth can still have experiences that help them discover a lifelong pursuit in one of the world’s premier outdoor environments.”

This is backed up by Fraser Chirnside, managing director of Future Rivers who adds “We are very excited about the long-term positive effects this programme will provide New Zealand. Fostering the values of environmental stewardship in kiwi youngsters is vital - the results will speak for themselves.”

Peter Robinson, a former Canterbury primary school principal with over 35 years in the education sector, has taken on the role of facilitator for the youth programme and says “our aim is to introduce young people to the joys of freshwater angling and game bird shooting through a structured syllabus that is fun, hands on, and educational.”

“Presently they are, in effect, suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder. This is due to an increased reliance on electronic experiences and the rural/urban disconnect that has occurred, in part, as a result of large scale corporate farming replacing the relative or friend on the farm to visit in the holidays and experience that outdoor fun down at the creek.”

Mr Robinson is excited about the sponsorship arrangement, and the potential it affords, saying “we believe the Future Rivers brand is a really good fit with our programme, and their byline ‘enhancing nature through participation’ is very much in-line with our own goals.”

The project will include raising fish from ova stage in a tank environment through to the release of Juvenile fish into local streams in December. Throughout this time students study the developmental stages of the fish; dealing with life cycle, fresh water, and environmental issues along the way.

During the year there will be organised visits to the North Canterbury hatchery, mentored fishing days for kids and ongoing support from the facilitator.

Once the concept has been successfully established by North Canterbury, the model will be promoted to all Fish & Game regions throughout NZ, and then adapted to provide similar initiatives for young game bird shooters and adult female anglers also.

ENDS

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