Olympic Rowing Star Steps Into New Charity Role

Media Release

Olympic Rowing Star Steps Into New Role As Camp Quality Ambassador

15 July, 2013: Three-time world rowing champion Juliette Haigh has stepped up to support a charity dedicated to bringing fun, hope and happiness to children living with cancer.

Winner of a bronze medal in the women’s coxless pair at the London Olympics, Juliette has accepted an invitation to be the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Ambassador for Camp Quality New Zealand.

Camp Quality New Zealand (CQNZ) is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation, established 28 years ago, which provides a range of programmes and year-round support across New Zealand for more than 300 children, aged 5-16, with cancer.

After more than 15 years in the sport, Juliette decided to quit rowing late last year after an international career spanning nine years, three World Championship coxless pairs titles, five Rowing World Cup gold medals and an Olympic bronze.

Juliette (30) who lives in Cambridge with her fiancée Mahe Drysdale, winner of the Olympic single sculls gold medal at London, said that while she still had a great love for rowing, she couldn’t commit to a fourth Olympic campaign.

After their support for the Odd Shoe Day campaign last year, the pair was approached by CQNZ Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Manager, Fi Hammond, to become Regional Ambassadors. Juliette wasted little time in accepting the invitation while Mahe indicated that rowing commitments permitting, he would add his support.

“It is a charity I’ve known about for some time through a friend who was a companion at the summer camps a few years ago,” says Juliette, “so we were very happy to help out with Odd Shoe Day last year.

“When asked to become a Camp Quality Regional Ambassador I thought ‘what a cool idea.’ I think it is a fantastic charity that puts an emphasis on helping so many youngsters forget about their worries, have a fun time and just be kids again. It is such a pure thing to be involved with.”

Camp Quality Chairman and former NZ international cricketer, Gary Troup, says having Juliette as an Ambassador, with support from Mahe when he can “is a terrific result for us. They both have such a positive attitude to everything. And, as we know from last year, Juliette will bring real energy which will enhance the work we do in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region.”

Juliette joins a growing list of personalities as CQ Regional Ambassadors. They include former Kiwi and Warrior ace Stacey Jones (Auckland/Northland), New Zealand lyric soprano, Madeleine Pierard (Wellington/Central Districts), dual NZ internationals Dallas (rugby) and Julie (netball) Seymour (Christchurch) and popular Kiwi children’s singer/song writer and author, Craig Smith (South).

According to Child Cancer statistics around 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 cancer brings.

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