Foundation - NZ Rugby Stars Cookbook: Cooking from the Heart

We would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm and professionalism of Allen & Unwin in guiding us through the process. The Rugby Foundation was formed in December 1986, the brainchild of the great All Black Kel Tremain and Hawkes Bay philanthropist Sir Russell Pettigrew. Both have now passed away, leaving a legacy the entire New Zealand rugby family is very proud of. Things have moved on significantly since then, with our core business now focusing on partnering with our VIPsVery Injured Playersfinancially and emotionally. We raise funds to enable us to support the work we do, partnering with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) to communicate the message of safety first. The excellent RugbySmart programme, jointly developed by NZR and ACC, is a leader in world rugby.

We are a national organisation, partnering with 97 VIPs. For the most part our VIPs have suffered SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), with the majority of them living in wheelchairs, but they are certainly not defined by this. They have families and loved ones whose lives were also changed in a heartbeat, and we are here to support them too. Among those we work with, the longest-standing injury was sustained in 1966 and the most recent occurred in 2017. Our income streams are diverse. The Rugby Foundation operates under a policy of not dissipating its accumulated funds.

Future-proofing of the organisation is vital, as we know that VIP numbers increase by about one per annum. We rely heavily on gaming trusts, fundraising events and our generous sponsors and donors, including both organisations and individuals. We receive great support from New Zealand Rugby, who provide us with an annual grant. This publication will add another string to our bow. We know too well that people only engage with us when they need to. It is terribly confronting to suddenly be caught up in the trauma of catastrophic injury.

The foundation is the first line of assistance, focusing on instant support and later, as players rehabilitate, on bridging the gap between the before and after quality of life for both the players and their families. For us at the foundation, particularly me and our Commercial Manager, Ben Sturmfels, working on this book has been a labour of love. We would like to acknowledge all the people who contributed recipes; the step-up from everyone has been heart-warming. Ben and I were blown away by the support we received from those who gave up their time to appear in the photo shootswe are hugely grateful to them. Extra-special thanks to Kieran Read and Wyatt Crockett for gracing the front cover. Cheers, guys! Thank you to New Zealand Rugby for their blessing, especially Todd Barberel and Nick Smith, and Rachael Spencer for the individual player biographies.

Our grateful thanks to the NZRPA (New Zealand Rugby Players Association) for so effectively activating your networks. Thanks also to the franchise management teams and coaches who accommodated our photo shoots in between busy training schedules. Huge thanks to NZRPA Personal Development Managers Victoria Hood (Blues), Lloyd Elisara (Chiefs), Arden Perrot-David (Hurricanes), Virginia Le Bas (Crusaders) and Mark Ranby (Highlanders). Some big magic wands were at play to make schedules work. The shoots took place in a number of franchise bases and at Blake Park in Tauranga, as well as in private homesour grateful thanks to Phil Booth, Neil Cudby, Keith Jarvie and Dane Coles. The Kelliher Estate also played a vital role, with Grahame Dawson and his team opening the doors to the magnificent homestead and gardens on Puketutu Island.

On behalf of us all at the foundation, grateful thanks to Kieran Scott and Tam West for their beautiful photography; Kathy Paterson for her incredible talents in testing and cooking the food for the photo shoots; and Jenny Hellen and Leanne McGregor from Allen & Unwin. Finally, heartfelt thanks to our readers. Enjoy the booktell your friends, buy a second one! It is the unwavering support from rugby lovers and food lovers like you that makes such a difference to this excellent cause. Lisa Kingi-Bon