Dalton's special connection to Southland lives on through foundation's gift Tania, an adopted daughter of Southland, is fondly remembered by netball fans. We want people to know that we value this connection. We are paying it forward through the donation of sports equipment."
Dalton's special connection to Southland lives on through foundation's gift
Tania, an adopted daughter of Southland, is fondly remembered by netball fans. We want people to know that we value this connection. We are paying it forward through the donation of sports equipment."
JUL 29, 2024
Southland primary and intermediate schools will be gifted hundreds of sports balls next month as part of a special visit by representatives of the Tania Dalton Foundation (TDF) to Invercargill.
Fernworth School will be presented with their balls on Thursday with a special Pass It Forward event hosted by Southern Steel netballer Ivari Christie who is also an alumni of TDF’s scholarship programme.
Dalton played for the championship winning Southern Sting netball team from 2002- 2006 and the Southern Steel in 2008 and 2011 in the ANZ Championship.
Dalton collapsed in 2017 while playing a game of social touch rugby and was immediately hospitalised in a critical condition with a ruptured internal carotid artery aneurysm before dying.
“Tania, an adopted daughter of Southland, is fondly remembered by netball fans. We want people to know that we value this connection so we are paying it forward through the donation of sports equipment to local schools, as well as highlighting the opportunities for young sportswomen provided by the foundation,” Tania Dalton Foundation general manager Jeanette Paine said.
Active Southland will help to distribute the free sports equipment to 27 worthy schools it has helped identify. The Pass It Forward programme is a partnership with Rebel Sport, Silver Fern Sport and the Tania Dalton Foundation. To date over 26,000 free balls have been distributed nationwide to school children reinforcing the programme’s commitment to fostering a love for sports among youth.
The foundation’s scholarship manager Paula George will also holding a special information night in Invercargill at the Champions Lounge at ILT Southland Stadium on Wednesday July 31 from 7pm to 8pm and supported by SBS Academy Southland.
“We’re keen to identify talented young sportswomen from Southland and Otago who their coaches or sports codes believe could benefit being part of our programme,” George said.
Each scholarship recipient is supported with a $5000 grant each year for three years and is provided with a mentor. They will be flown to Auckland for regular workshops and special events throughout the year. Applications for the 2025 TDF Scholarship opened in July.
Paine said that the Foundation is holding its seventh annual gala dinner in Auckland on Thursday August 15 but that the online silent auction would be available for Southlanders to bid on to show their continued support.
About the Tania Dalton Foundation:
Established in memory of Tania Dalton, a cherished sports icon, the Tania Dalton Foundation is dedicated to providing opportunities and support for young women in sports. Through its scholarships, mentorship programmes, and community initiatives, the Foundation aims to inspire the next generation of female athletes to excel both on and off the field and to give back to their communities. Tania played for the championship winning Southern Sting netball team from 2002- 2006 and the Southern Steel in 2008 and 2011 in the ANZ Championship. She was Silver Fern Number 113 and was part of the 2003 World Champ team.
