Those who know me will tell you that I love my sport. The mighty Warriors are a favourite, so are the Harbour rugby team, the champion Blues and the All Blacks. In fact, like many youngsters, back in the seventies I thought I had a crack at being an All Blacks halfback. Unfortunately lack of skill, application, and a problem shoulder curtailed my brief senior rugby career.
I love this time of the year when we find out who the new All Blacks are in the first team named for the season (as I write this in June, that first team is due out tomorrow) and then we get to see them play. ‘Razor’ Scott Robertson being the new coach is an added interest this year.
My love of sport means I always enjoy writing articles on sport. I particularly enjoyed writing for this issue on the new well-resourced A-League club Auckland FC, and interviewing its CEO Nick Becker. As I have written, if ever there was a perfect blueprint for starting a brand new club then I reckon they have it, with the backing of American billionaire and proven sports club owner Bill Foley along with Anna Mowbray (Zuru) and her husband-to-be, former All Black Ali Williams. Auckland FC ‘Black Knights’ aren’t playing on the Shore (home games are at Mt Smart Stadium), but their training base is at North Harbour Stadium, and I feel sure they will capture the imagination of football and sports lovers north of the harbour bridge. I trust you enjoy my informative feature.
I have no doubt the Black Knights will be delivering excellence, and that’s what this issue is about as well. I have had an almost three-decade involvement with the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust – I am a very, very proud life member. I am also a judge of the organisation’s annual AIMES Awards, rewarding excellence in our young people (aged 13-25). We had two wonderful functions during June to award over $200,000 worth of grants to 24 outstanding young people. We feature those winners in this issue. Some of those young AIMES Award-winning people are Olympians who will be competing in Paris this year; let's hope they bring lots of medals back to the Shore!
Once again there’s something for everyone in this Channel Mag. We are taking a short hiatus from Property Channel over the slower real estate winter months ahead, but look forward to coming back bigger and stronger than ever in spring!
As always, we celebrate success and highlight positive things happening on the North Shore, in business and in the community. I am looking forward to Takapuna Winter Lights later in the month. Look forward to seeing you there. Have a great July.
Aidan Bennett, QSM
Publisher – Channel Magazine
Managing Director – Benefitz
aidan@benefitz.co.nz
