Date - 29 June 2011
Leading New Zealand businessman and philanthropist Owen Glenn announced today that his Glenn Family Foundation will make a significant financial contribution to the development and growth of hockey in New Zealand.
Glenn’s commitment to pledge $1 million to the Hockey Foundation as well as an annual $100,000 grant for the next three years to talent development will provide more New Zealand children with the opportunity to play hockey, and develop the talent base.
“To have one of New Zealand’s iconic business leaders and philanthropists believe in our programme is a huge boost and a vote of confidence for the sport,” says Hockey New Zealand chief executive, Hilary Poole.
Glenn Family Foundation pledge of $1 million to the Hockey Foundation, will be gifted when matched by another group of donors.
Mr Glenn is an avid hockey fan, having played himself in his youth and followed the Black Sticks for years including in person at the Commonwealth Games in India last year.
“I’m a great believer in the importance of sport and what it teaches young people. I’ve played and followed hockey most of my life and I’m truly taken with the foresight and commitment of New Zealand Hockey. The Black Sticks are going from strength to strength and I’m thrilled to be able to help them foster and develop hockey at the elite level but also through the development of age group because these are our future Black Sticks. Having a strong elite team is great for grassroots development, winning and having role models to aspire to is vital to the sport.”
“It is a privilege for us to have Owen as the Founding Patron of the Hockey Foundation. As an ex-player and having followed hockey closely throughout his life, he is passionate about the growth and development of hockey in New Zealand, and our international competitiveness,” says Poole.
The Hockey Foundation’s purpose is to create a long term sustainable funding stream which will foster the growth and development of hockey nationwide and build a strong and vibrant hockey community.
Chairman of the Hockey Foundation, Jon Tanner says that in time, players, coaches, officials, clubs and schools, Association’s and Regions will be able to apply to the Hockey Foundation for grants that will help develop the sport in their communities.
Tanner says that Glenn’s contribution to this fund is truly outstanding. “The Hockey Foundation’s initial aim is to build an endowment fund of $2 million by 2013 and Glenn’s significant and generous support will be a major catalyst to help us achieve this,” says Tanner.
Furthermore, Glenn announced that $100,000 will be granted annually for the next three years to the Owen G Glenn Future Black Sticks Programme. This investment will be specifically directed to the national junior programme that identifies age group athletes with world class potential, and provides them with the fitness programmes, camps and quality international experience needed to become the next generation of Black Sticks.
“We need to deepen the pool of talented athletes, so that when they are selected in the national squads, they are already well on their way to being world class ? in terms of fitness, conditioning, discipline, hockey skills, and experience in quality international competition,” says Hockey New Zealand chief executive Hilary Poole.
“This incredibly generous support from the Glenn Family Foundation will help us make this programme a reality. This donation is a hand up, not a hand out. Hockey New Zealand will also contribute to the programme, and there will be a co-ordinated fundraising programme established for each team,” says Poole.
Selection and development of U18 and U21 national squads in 2011 are a critical first step in the build for the 2013 Junior World Cup, which will be hosted in India. In May 2011, at the National U21 Tournament hosted by Otago Hockey Association, Hockey New Zealand selected both a men’s and women’s Under-21 squad, a total of 60 athletes. Equipped with training programmes, they will come together in September for a national camp before being selected for international competition against Malaysia and China in November this year. The same opportunity will be given to another 60 athletes to be selected in July, for the national Under-18 squads, who have international competition scheduled against Australia in December 2011
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Biography
Owen G Glenn ONZM is the founder, owner and executive chairman of OTS Logistics Group - a billion dollar revenue company with offices in 105 countries. It’s one of the world's largest logistics companies with a point of difference - it owns virtually no assets.
Owen’s freight forwarding operation spans North and South America, Asia, Europe and the Pacific utilising state of the art eCommerce solutions that allow his clients to track where in the world their goods are.
Born in Calcutta Owen moved to New Zealand aged 11, he schooled at Mt Roskill Grammar leaving at 15.Owen considers himself a New Zealander despite his logistics business activity requiring him to be based overseas. Owen sees education as a key element in today’s world and over the past four years he has contributed over $8 million to the Auckland University for the development of the Business School’s facilities and other initiatives including scholarships.
Philanthropy is a huge part of Owen’s life. Many people are unaware that his Glenn Family Foundation has supported hundreds of humanitarian causes throughout the world. The Foundation’s philosophy very much mirrors Owen’s personal outlook on life focusing on the importance of education, health, helping oneself and family as the foundation of a community. In addition to the University of Auckland, New Zealand and individual Kiwis are better off as a result of the Glenn Family Foundation, including a $3.85 million donation to the National Training Centre for High Performance Sport at the Millennium Institute on the North Shore. www.glennfamilyfoundation.org
Owen Glenn received an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2008 as recognition of his business achievements and his work as a philanthropist. Most recently he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary, for aid to the under-privileged.
Having played hockey for the Albertans Hockey Club in Auckland, Glenn has fond memories of his playing days and continues to be an avid supporter of the game.
For more information or to speak to Owen Glenn please contact:
Niki Schuck PR
Niki Schuck +64 21 911 332 niki@nikischuckpr.com