NZ Rugby Foundation Annual Report 2022

Supporting seriously injured players, for life

ANNUAL REPORT 2022

Our Partners

Dame Valerie Adams and Paddy Gower

Sir Bryan Williams and VIP John Cocker

RWC Opening match hosting

VIP Grant Buchanan and his moko Te Aoriki

VIP Josh Freer pictured with his twin brother Sam

Our magnificent Patrons Sir Graham Henry and Richie McCaw, during auctioning off VIP Grant Sharman’s painting with Conrad Smith

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 2023 Annual General Meeting (36th AGM) of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation Incorporated will be held on Tuesday 28 March 2023 at 2.30pm

The meeting will be held in person and also on Zoom.

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

a) Opening of Meeting

b) Roll call and quorum

c) Apologies

d) Obituaries

e) Confirmation of Minutes of previous meeting held 5 April 2022

f) The Annual Report:

a. Chairperson’s report

b. Chief Executive’s report

c. Treasurer’s report

d. Receive and adopt the audited Statement of Financial Performance and Statement of financial position for the previous financial year

e. Confirmation of Chairman/Chief Executive/Treasurer reports

f. Receive and adopt the Annual Report

g) Election/ratification of Officers, Directors.

a. Directors due for rotation and all available are: Andrew Golightly, Dr John Mayhew

b. KP Kirsten Patterson is due for rotation and is not available for re-election.

c. Sir Michael Jones resigned in August 2022

d. During 2022 Rowena Davenport replaced Bailey Mackie as the NZR representative

e. Appointment of new Directors. In addition to the two incumbents who are available for re-election several new candidates for the Board will be recommended to the AGM

f. In accordance with the rules of the New Zealand Rugby Foundation, the President shall hold office for a term of three years and shall be eligible for re-election for a further three year term at the end of each successive term. Current President Andy Leslie has declared himself unavailable as President.

g. Nomination of President

h) Appointment of the Auditor.

i) Consider any business or proposed resolutions of which notice has been given.

j) Transact any general business.

k) Closure

Lisa Kingi-Bon Chief Executive

VIP Ta’u Latu

Valasi and Lisa, hosting at the Harlequins Dinner. NZR Vice Pres Matt Cooper, Wayne Smith, Nick Blincoe, Georgia Scott, Ross Ormsby, Hone Herewini and Dougal Scott

Former All Black Captain Kieren Read, and Former Wallaby prop Matt Dunning and MC Laura McGoldrick

VIP Dion Seeling

Dr Helen Murray, Professor Richard Faull, Dr John Mayhew, Dr Dean Robinson, Lisa Kingi-Bon, Karen Rasmussen and Dr Ken Quarrie pictured at the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank, Auckland University

OFFICERS OF 2022

PATRONS

PRESIDENT

FOUNDING PRESIDENT

ORIGINAL FIRST XV

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sir Graham Henry KNZM

Richie McCaw ONZ

Andy Leslie MNZM

Sir Russell Hilton Pettigrew F.Inst.D, FCIT K.T RNZN 3886, WWII. †

Sir David Beattie, Sir Russell Pettigrew, Sir Brian Lochore, Si r Desmond Sullivan, Sir Wilson Whineray, J.G Frazer, B.J Drake, J.J Stewart, G.C Mc Kay, A.R Leslie, R.A Harper, B.A Hancox, K.R Tremain, R.W Thomas, I.A Vodanovich

Gerard van Tilborg Chair

Andy Leslie KNZM President

Mark Peters Treasurer

Rowena Davenport NZR representative

David Latta

Simon Tremain

Dr John Mayhew ONZM

Graham Mourie MBE

Kirsten Patterson

Andrew Golightly

Andrew Hall

Melodie Robinson

Steve Morris

Hannah Porter

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS

Sir Russell Hilton Pettigrew F.Inst.D, FCIT K.T RNZN 3886, WWII. †

Sir Colin Earl Meads KNZM MBE †

Sir David John Graham KNZM CBE ED †

Richie Guy ONZM

Colin. G. Gibbons J.P.

Maurice Trapp

Tane Norton MNZM

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

ACCOUNTANT

AUDITORS

BANKERS

ADMINISTRATION

Lisa Kingi-Bon

Angela Davies

Crowe Horwath New Zealand Audit Partners

Bank of New Zealand Newmarket

Sport Auckland House

Level 4, Alexandra Park Function Centre

Greenlane West

Epsom

Ph: (09) 623 7980

Email: lisa@rugbyfoundation.nz

Footnote:

When placed immediately before or after a person’s name, the dagger indicates that the person is deceased. †

VIP Phil Booth, wife Julie, Chloe, Thea and Sasha on bikes

VIP Cody Everson, with Jess and baby Emilio

CHAIR’S REPORT

The CEO and Treasurers reports cover off a lot of the business of the Foundation and I want to avoid just repeating that in a different format. However, I would like to acknowledge all of the supporters who assist the Foundation. You all make a real difference and your commitment is very much appreciated. In the last couple of years, we have seen the instigation of the Pettigrew Giving Circle and the Tremain Legacy Society. Both are innovations that are augmenting the operations of the Foundation by adding to the efforts of our existing supporters. This is providing additional sources of funding enabling us to better support our VIPs, Research Projects and adding to our investment funds.

As I said last year the positive attitudes of our VIPs is humbling. You are the reason for our existence and your example of how to be positive in life is inspiring to say the least.

During this last year we have also seen a real uplift in support from the Class 4 gaming organisations. This has been particularly in funding the defibrillators in Clubs programme. That support has already helped save a life at the Coastal Club in Taranaki. It demonstrates the real impact we can make with this sort of relationship.

On a sad note we have had two VIPs pass away during the year, our condolences go to their families. We also have two new VIPs join us this year and look forward to assisting them.

FINANCIAL / FUNDRAISING

The challenges of the last year in the investment arena are well publicised. The Treasurers Report gives good background. Suffice to say we are well invested in a good mix of equities and are picking up quality bonds on the uplift in

interest rates. I am happy that our investment programme is well managed.

HEAD TRAUMA AND CONCUSSION

The pressure in the area to find ways to minimise risk whilst continuing to encourage people to play this great game is obvious. The public perception is negative despite the clarity of evidential scientific proof either way.

In my view the benefits of participation in sport is hugely positive. However, we do need to continue to ensure that the awareness of how to firstly avoid and secondly manage long term injury situations should they occur which regretfully they do in all walks of life.

The Foundation continues to strongly support NZR and ACC initiatives in this space through RugbySmart and its ongoing development.

We are also investing in research including the longitudinal study of Rugby, Kumanu Tangata: The Health Impacts of Playing Rugby and into research on Concussion in the game. Conclusive scientific evidence in the Head Trauma space is lacking and we need to ensure that we are able to get the best information so that where there are issues preventative measure can be implemented.

In the mean-time we are supporting players with head trauma related incidents where ACC has approved such a claim on the basis there is a nexus with our Sport. Our view is that if ACC approve such a claim we will accept the player as a VIP.

INJURY MANAGEMENT

The ongoing numbers of Near Misses is of concern. We also as mentioned earlier have had two new VIPs join our ranks this year.

We have discussed with NZR the need for better and detailed investigation into each of these injuries. Some positive discussions have been held but we need to continue pushing for this to ensure continued development of techniques, training and rules to manage the issues. NZR have indicated they see the need but do not have the budget to fund this. We are looking at other funding options. Rugby I believe is leading the way in looking at injury impacts and management and my opinion is that we need to continue to do so despite being targeted by the media when we do so.

IN CONCLUSION

This is my last annual report as I will be stepping down as Chair after the AGM and from the Board on 30 June 2022. It has been a privilege for some 12 years, and as Chair for 8 or so of those. I have also been on the Board of the NZ Spinal Trust as the NZRF representative. This has also been a privilege with the considerable work that organisation is doing within the wider SCI community in NZ. I wish both organisations the very best going forward.

I would like to thank all of those I have worked with, staff, Board members. Your work in assisting our VIPs and the positive way our VIPs live their lives is an inspiration.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to Andy Leslie, retiring from the NZRF after 36 years of service, an original First XV founding member and for the past six years as President. Your support and mentorship has been massive, your service to the Foundation exemplary. Andy, you always give back. Thank you.

Gerard van Tilborg Chair

CE REPORT

The Rugby Foundation has matured in many aspects, we are positive and strive to be ‘our best for our people,’ and rugby in New Zealand.

Standout aspects to celebrate:

• Gerard and Mark both refer to the new fundraising initiatives and I would like to thank Ben Sturmfels for his outstanding growth in this area. Thank you to the Board, for the vision of the investment of a fundraising review, and training and development, in the first instance.

• Celebrating the “Defib into every Club” project, thanks to Gerard and John Mayhew, for initiating this project. Sixty-two machines have been delivered to date. We celebrate the life of Heiny Fourie whose life was saved in May last year, by a Defib delivered, literally, the week before his medical event.

• Carer rates; we are very proud of what we have achieved with our VIPs; relentlessly stuck with the aim of having employed carers wages increased to be equitable to those employed by accredited agencies, from $24.00 per hour to $36.00.

• The Neurological Foundation initialised an introduction for us with the Auckland University’s Brain Bank and we have since facilitated several meetings with NZR and the NZ Rugby Players Assoc. We are very future focused in what we can all achieve together in research.

• Significant wins with John Miller Law support/guidance. We are very grateful to John and his team.

• Women’s RWC – what a landmark. The Experience Group gifted us a suite to host guests for the opening match. What an enormous privilege to witness history in the making. The rugby landscape is not changing, it has changed. We

are mindful of what safety looks like for the womens game and we will keep this highlighted.

SUPPORT

Support has two aspects:

1) The VIPs – our Very Important People/Very Injured Players

2) and Near Miss

VIPs are spread across Aotearoa and they and their whānau are, and always will be our raison d’etre. We have a close relationship with most of them, our partnership with them is for life. They are an important part of the New Zealand rugby family. We provide VIPs and their families with support in areas where ACC cannot.

We love spending time together and have had some memorable occasions in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and, at the special event in Napier for our new VIP AJ Gardiner, who was injured in 2021. We pay tribute to the wonderful organising committee in Hawkes Bay who delivered this event. This again highlights how Provincial/Club rugby in New Zealand is gold.

Many of our VIPs have had seriously challenging health issues and we toutoko them in their resilience. Two have written books. Many have achieved academically, in sports, career, and, sometime just getting off bedrest is GREAT!

We love that our VIP families know that we are a phone call away. If we can’t help, we will try our best always to find out who can.

New VIP

No new SCI/TBI incidents this year; however, we have two new VIPs. They and their families have negotiated very, very challenging situations.

15-year-old Josh suffered a bad graze to his knee 11 May. Certainly not a reportable injury according to injury reporting criteria. Via word

of mouth, our Chair heard about this young man whose leg had been amputated. Infection had set in as a result of the graze on his knee which occurred on that Saturday afternoon playing rugby. Josh was in a coma for eight days. This is what we refer to “other complicated injuries”. Thankfully due to John Miller Law, there has been success with the ACC claim. We would like to acknowledge Josh’s parents, twin brother, and Auckland Grammar School.

Near Miss

The other core element to Support is providing a response to every single reported serious rugby injury.

Mostly, these injuries are reported fast. NZR have an efficient reporting system in place. A serious injury has a high threshold. Once reported, an alert is triggered to us and NZR. Injury Reporting

• Head or spinal injury that results in the player being admitted to hospital.

• An injury or event (e.g. a heart attack) that results in the death  of a player during match play or rugby training

• An injury that is expected to result in some permanent disability (e.g. loss of use of a limb, loss of an eye)

We then work with the rugby unions to ascertain next of kin details, and we ring them. “Your son/daughter/partner’s injury has been reported and I’m calling you to represent all of rugby. We are sorry to hear this has happened and your family will not go through this alone.”

2022 saw 69 incidents reported and four files are still open with full recovery expected. Of the injuries, 77% were males and 23 % females. 52 % were head and 39 % were spine related. 9% were “other complicated”, and 11 spine/ facial surgeries occurred.

My thanks to Valasi Eves for assisting with managing this core aspect of what we do in terms of VIP Grants and Near Miss liaison.

ADVOCACY

We have partnered with a small group of our VIP cohort, with exemplary legal support from John Miller Law. We approached ACC senior management in Nov 2017, to challenge that caregiver’s hourly rates be increased to be in line with the pay parity act 2017. Legislation such as the Pay Equity Act affected contracted care only (agencies) excluding non-contracted care. We are really pleased with progress, seeing an increase from $24.00 per hour to $36.00. This work continues, to address backdating and linking to CPI.

We have relentlessly advocated for our people in changing the way some are managed by the ACC. We have stood for them and developed excellent and collaborative relationships in ACC, even when we have been in conflict situations. All credit to ACC responses when we call and advocate for individuals in particularly difficult situations. The commitment and service from ACC has been excellent.

In my report last year, I referenced challenges with accredited health care providers; we acknowledge that there is a shortage of carers in NZ but still emphasise that the lack of good communication caused many avoidable issues.

PREVENTION

We are not just an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff – we are building a fence at the top to stop players getting injured in the first place. We do not ‘do’ Prevention on the field. We support, echo and promote NZR’s world leading programmes and safety initiatives. This is a broad term and means so many things. Injury management is injury prevention. New Zealand Rugby created RugbySmart in 2000 and many global unions followed. Northland Rugby created the Blue Card, New Zealand Rugby adopted it, and many lobal unions followed.

Arguably the part of prevention which has grown the most is the education piece. Players now won’t as easily stay on the field with a head injury, as they might have a few years ago. The message is getting through. At times coaches, managers and parents must protect players from themselves. Player welfare at all levels of the game is everything!

RESEARCH THAT MATTERS

We have supported two core projects, having invested $270, 000 in the past three years. The Concussion Management Pathway was led by NZR’s Dr Danielle Salmon. We have backed her team’s work since 2020. Last year she was offered a key research role with World Rugby. Gerard referenced the Board’s decision to financially support the Kumanu Tāngata: The Health Impacts of Playing Rugby. It has a wee way to go before it is finalised, peer reviewed and published. We are very proud to have supported Dr Ken Quarrie and his team.

Go to: Auckland University – The after match project or, here is the soft copy link for those reading on-line: Kumanu Tāngata: The aftermatch project - The University of Auckland

THE NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY BRAIN BANK

Several years ago, the late Sir DJ Graham introduced me to Prof Richard Faull when the Brain Bank was launched. DJ had an innate interest in what they were up to, especially as he was Chancellor of AKL University as well. In 2019, they niched a division, called the Neurological ‘Sports’ Brain Bank. https://www.brainbank.ac.nz/ We are very keen to support their initiative of brain donation. This is vital research.

The hero of Prevention is the project we are delivering across NZ. In 2016 our Director, Dr John Mayhew had a cardiac arrest. Had there not been a defibrillator handy, he would not have survived.

His medical event ignited this as a Board project. A Defib into every club across the motu. Defibrillators are known to increase the survival rate of a person by more than 44% where it is used within 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest.  On Tuesday 3 May, a father of two, collapsed after finishing a drill at a Coastal Rugby training session at the club grounds in Rahotu in Taranaki. Within five minutes, his teammates had retrieved the defibrillator from the clubrooms and were using it.

Club Captain Kelvin Wier administered the shock and around 30 seconds later the player was responsive. We would like to acknowledge all the incredible people involved in Heiny’s resus and in particular Janet Fleming Sixty-two have been distributed to date. We are hugely grateful to the Lion Foundation and NZ Community Trust for their generous assistance in funding.

FUNDRAISING

Two ‘giving’ mechanisms were established with the objective to sustain our financial future i.e., build our Capital Fund to ensure we are sustainable into the future. Our deepest thanks to Sir Graham Henry and Sir Bryan Williams who have been readily available as ambassadors of the Pettigrew Giving Circle.

The two luncheon events that Ben and Jo delivered, ably supported by Kaitlin and Valasi were excellent delivering in excess of budget. Thanks to each and every one who supported them. Having Kaitlin on board in the fundraising area is also showing such benefits. Data is so vital in all aspects.

The infographics reflect how our income streams have diversified, when added together the selfgenerated stream is our highest source of revenue. We will continue to develop this.

Our heartfelt thanks to all our official partners listed in the report.

We acknowledge the generous support of the myriad of sponsors, suppliers and

celebrities that continually give their time, products, venues and time to enable our team to pull together bespoke auction prizes for our fundraising events. Having you stand alongside us makes delivering our vision so much easier.

The Heartland Provincial Unions have been incredible. Each PU donated a jersey which were auctioned. King Country RFU and Whanganui RFU were standouts. A one-off very generous gift was received from

King Country, and Whanganui dedicated their match day jerseys to the Rugby Foundation with our logo on them which were auctioned off and raised very generous proceeds to the NZRF. Not only did all of these efforts raised significant funds, as importantly, they raised our profile.

IN CLOSING

We aim for 100 % compliance in all aspects to be a highly effective and efficient administration.

TREASURER’S REPORT

2022 was a year of three distinct factors financially speaking for the Foundation. The first two were very positivebeing the tremendous success that Management had in achieving revenue of $237,500 from our new Task Force Fundraising initiative, and the very generous one-off extra Capital Grant made to the Foundation by NZ Rugby of $400,000 from its Silver Lake partnership arrangements. The Task Force roll out was a result of professional engagement in 2020 and 2021 of Barrer & Co to advise the Foundation on appropriate ongoing fundraising to ensure the Foundation continues to grow its capital base. Head and Fundraising and Partnerships Ben Sturmfels performed superbly in not only achieving $237k in 2022 but ongoing future pledges of substantial funds.

The third part of our Financial Year was- along with pretty much all investment funds - a reduction in the capital value of our investment fund with JB Were of $412,860. World wide equity markets in 2022

had taken quite a hit following the Ukraine conflict and Covid aftermath, and the Foundation’s funds were no exception. However readers of my reports over recent years- where we experienced consistent capital growth of our fund - will recall that I have consistently stated that there was always potential for two-way movement in equity funds, and not just increases. The positive is that for the total three years to 31st December 2022 we still had a net growth in value of over $200k. The end result of all this is that we achieved an overall surplus of $69,450 after making grants to injured players of $387k, and contributing $140k to research into concussion and other serious injuries. Our Board and Management see research into causes and possible mitigation of serious injuries as a building block to that fence on top of the cliff which we would all like to see. CEO Lisa was able to recruit capable new staff members during the year, and while salary costs grew, we are now in a much stronger position to meet the Foundations’ Aims and

We’ve grown our team in the past 18 months and I am so grateful for ‘us’, our strengths and building on strengths, and operating daily as the best we can be. Ben, Kaitlin, Valasi, Jo and contract accountant, Angela. Thank you! Thanks to so many incredible people at NZR, personally and professionally, across so many parts of the business, thank you! Sincere thanks to our Board, many hours of meetings, guidance and love of the game.

Values with a strong and capable HR Team. During the first quarter of 2023 the JB Were fund is starting to recover some of that lost ground, and with some new fundraising initiatives and events planned we are confident that our financial base will continue to grow.  This is my twelfth year as Treasurer of the Foundation and I have never been more confident that good resources and excellent people are in place to ensure the Foundation is well able to play a significant role for Rugby in New Zealand well into the future.

Finally my sincere thanks to Lisa and all her team for their continued excellent work, to Chair Gerard and my fellow Board Members for their ongoing commitment to and support of the Foundation, and to the team at JB Were for looking after our capital funds so well.

Mark Peters FCA Treasurer

2021 YE INCOME

2022 YE INCOME

Officers

AndyLeslieMNZM(President)

SirGrahamHenryKNZM(Patron)

RichieMcCawONZ(Patron)

MainSourcesofEntity'sCashandResources

Themajorityofrevenuehasbeenreceivedfromfundraisingactivities,supportedbyourannualNewZealandRugbygrantand Gamingfunding,withtheremaindercomingfromcapitalinvestmentsandsponsorshipinkind.

MainMethodsUsedbyEntitytoRaiseFunds

Fundraisingactivitiesincludeanannualluncheonwhichhasoccuredsince1987,ourfirstyearofoperation. WearethenominatedcharityatanumberofeventsthroughoutNewZealand,wherewereceivesignificantdonations. WehaveregularapplicationstoCommunityandGamingTrusts. RelationshipmanagementwithcommercialsponsorsandNewZealandRugby.

Entity'sRelianceonVolunteersandDonatedGoodsorServices

Wereceivedgovernancesupportfromvolunteers. Wereceiveddonatedgoodsandserviceswhichassistinthesuccessfulrunningofourfundraisingevents.

ContactDetails

Level4,AlexandraParkFunctionCentre,Epsom,Auckland

POBox26599,Epsom,Auckland

Phone:096237900

www.rugbyfoundation.nz

office@rugbyfoundation.nz

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY FOUNDATION INCORPORATED

Opinion

We have audited the performance report of New Zealand Rugby Foundation Incorporated (Incorporated Society) on pages 3 to 4 and pages 6 to 18, which comprises the entity information, the statement of service performance, the statement of financial performance and statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2022, the statement of financial position as at 31 December 2022, and the statement of accounting policies and other explanatory information.

In our opinion:

a) the reported outcomes and outputs, and quantification of the outputs to the extent practicable, in the statement of service performanceare suitable; and

b) the performance report on pages 3 to 4 and pages 6 to 18 presents fairly, in all material respects:

▪

▪

▪

the entity information for the year ended 31 December 2022; the service performance for the year ended 31 December 2022; and the financial position of the Incorporated Society as at 31 December 2022, and its financial performance, and cash flows for the year then ended

in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-ForProfit).

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit of the statement of financial performance, statement of financial position, statement of cash flows, statement of accounting policies and notes to the performance report in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs (NZ)), and of the entity information and statement of service performance in accordance with the International Standard on Assurance Engagements (New Zealand) ISAE (NZ) 3000 (Revised). Our responsibilities under these standards are furtherdescribed in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Performance Report section of our report.

We are independent of the Incorporated Societyin accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 InternationalCode of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners (including International Independence Standards) (New Zealand) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance withthese requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Other than in our capacity as auditor we have no relationship with, or interests in, theIncorporated Society.

The title ‘Partner’ conveys that the person is a senior member within their respective division, and is among the group of persons who hold an equity interest (shareholder) in its parent entity, Findex Group Limited. The only professional service offering which is conducted by a partnership is external audit, conducted via the Crowe Australasia external audit division and Unison SMSF Audit. All other professional services offered by Findex Group Limited are conducted by a privately owned organisation and/or its subsidiaries. Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd, trading as Crowe Australasia is a member of Crowe Global, a Swiss verein. Each member firm of Crowe Global is a separate and independent legal entity. Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd and its affiliates are not responsible or liable for any acts or omissions of Crowe Global or any other member of Crowe Global. Crowe Global does not render any professional services and does not have an ownership or partnership interest in Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd.

Services are provided by Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership an affiliate of Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd.

© 2023 Findex (Aust) Pty Ltd

Board of Management’sResponsibilities for the Performance Report

The Board of Managementare responsible on behalf of the Incorporated Societyfor:

(a) Identifying outcomes and outputs, and quantifying the outputs to the extent practicable, that are relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable, to report in the statement of service performance;

(b) The preparation and fair presentation of the performance report,which comprises:

▪ ▪ ▪

the entity information; the statement of service performance; and the statement of financial performance, statement of financial position, statement of cash flows, statement of accounting policies and notes to the performance report

in accordance with Public Benefit Entity Simple Format Reporting – Accrual (Not-For-Profit) issued in New Zealand by the New Zealand Accounting Standards Board; and

(c) For such internal control as the Board of Managementdetermine is necessary to enable the preparation of the performance report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the performance report, the Board of Managementare responsible for assessing the Incorporated Society ’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Management either intend to liquidate the Incorporated Societyor to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Performance Report

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the performance report as a whole is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (NZ) and ISAE (NZ) 3000(Revised)will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of this performance report.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (NZ)and ISAE (NZ)3000 (Revised), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

▪ Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the performance report, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion, including performing procedures to obtain evidence about and evaluating whether the reported outcomes and outputs and quantification of the outputs to the extent practicable, are relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable. The risk of not detecting a material misstatementresulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

▪ Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Incorporated Society’s internal control.

▪ Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.

▪ Conclude on the appropriateness of the use of the going concern basis of accounting by the Board of Managementand, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Incorporated Society’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the performance report or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Incorporated Societyto cease to continue as a going concern.

▪ Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the performance report, including the disclosures, and whether the performance report represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with the Board of Management regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Restriction on Use

This report is made solely to the Board of Management, as a body. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to the Board of Management those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted bylaw, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Incorporated Society, and the Board of Management as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Crowe New Zealand Audit Partnership CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Dated at Aucklandthis 13thday of March2023

Chair Gerard van Tilborg, Hon Life Member Colin Gibbons and NZR President Max Spence

Dr John Mayhew and Hein Fourie cardiac event survivors due to DeFibs

One lucky fella Near Miss Morehu Reneti – up and walking in Rehab

At Coastal Rugby Club with Hein and his family, Janet Fleming, Natalie Chapman, Mike Sandle and VIPs Matt Muller and Phil Wells

Hosting Christchurch VIPs at Tussock Hills

SERIOUSLY INJURED PLAYERS

Footnote:

When placed immediately before or after a person’s name, the dagger indicates that the person is deceased. †

PETTIGREW GIVING CIRCLE

Created in 2022, the Pettigrew Giving Circle pools the resources of significant individual and corporate donors to provide greater immediate impact to our communities. The New Zealand Rugby Foundation would like to acknowledge the support of the following:

EDWARDS, Wayne MACRENNIE Commerical Construction Ltd

ARNHOLD, Julian HORGAN, Andrew

ROBBIE, Noel CALDWELL, Bryce

WILLIAMS, Brady and Kylee JOHNSTON, Willy and Rick

WEBSTER, Martin TONGUE, Nick

BURGESS, Craig NELL, Gavin and Amanda COLL, Pat

TREMAIN LEGACY SOCIETY

Named after one of our founders and former All Black the late Kelvin R Tremain the legacy society recognizes individuals who wish to leave a legacy gift (bequest) in their will.

For privacy reasons we have not listed those that have agreed to be part of this program, but acknowledge the significance of this form of giving in supporting the long-term vision of The Foundation.

WE DEDICATE THIS ANNUAL REPORT TO SIONE FIFITA, AND SID RANAPIA.

Sione Fifita

31 May 1988 – 29 March 2022

Pictured here (seated) with Neomai on his left, in conversation with Dayna Tiwha and Andrew Hall (NZRF Director and NZ Spinal Trust) (and just out of shot, Ta’u Latu)

Sione was injured first in 2008 in a Tongan village game in Auckland. The injury was not reported as it was not an official match. In 2011 he suffered a second injury, at L4/5. Sione has a very complex case and he presented with a range of ongoing health and injury problems. We had been supporting him with legal and medical reviews.

He had played 1st XV for Tamaki College, College Rifles and Auckland University. He also played for the Auckland Colts in 2008. He was a true gentle giant.

He had a very powerful faith and very calm happy demeaner despite his intense medical and pain

Sid Ranapia

17 March 1960 – 22 December 2022

Sid was injured 24 September 2000 playing for his iwi club Te Whanau A Apanui.

Sid was super independent and loved living high up the coast in Waihau Bay. Some of you will remember he and Lorraine joined us at the Sevens hosting in 2013. He also attended some of the

Harlequins events over the years. Sid is survived by his wife Lorraine, eight children, 24 mokos, including 20 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

issues. He is survived by his wife Neomai and daughter Keasi.

We care, advocate for and champion the safety of all players in the game we love.