Patron
Born and raised in Cambridge, Jake is a retired farmer and now devotes his time to the governance and administration of local and regional sporting organisations. After recognising there was a need for an organisation to identify, capture and assist promising young athletes Jake co-founded the Perago Trust with Kevin Burgess.
Ambassador
While Sarah's performances over several Olympics and Commonwealth Games captured the nation, it is her outgoing nature and enthusiasm for life that resonates most. Sarah is a very passionate Cambridge resident and has done a huge amount to make the town a great place to live, especially generating funding for the Te Awa cycle trail and extensions to the greenbelt running and cycling trail.
Ambassador
Rob has a place etched in New Zealand sporting history following his performance as a single sculler at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He has worn many hats as an athlete, from Waikato rugby player to grinder with Team New Zealand. Post retirement Rob has been just as busy including being a key driver of the Avantidrome and the Te Awa cycle trail in Cambridge, and Chef De Mission for the NZ Olympic team.
Co-founder & Chair
Kevin has been a community pharmacist in Cambridge since 1981 and has had a long and active involvement within the Cambridge community, serving on both sporting and community organisations. Kevin has been a judge at the Waipa and Waikato Secondary Sports awards for 15 years and is a passionate supporter of rugby, rowing, netball, cricket and lately, cycling. He has also mentored/sponsored numerous athletes over the years. Kevin is also a partner of Inside Running, a sports management company.
Secretary
Sharon is the Executive Officer for ExportNZ and is a Business Mentor with Business Mentor NZ. She is passionate about helping young athletes achieve their goals, and coming from a family that has had representatives at 7 Olympics she understands the need for athlete support. Sharon is also an Honorary Member of the Canterbury Rowing Club.
Trustee
Merv brings to the trust his knowledge and experience gained as a past registered business appraiser and successful business owner. He is currently a mentor and advisor to businesses and sporting clubs.
Trustee
Eric is a Double Olympic gold medallist and NZ representative in rowing for 18 years. Eric and his rowing partner Hamish Bond were unbeaten in the coxless pair where they won 6 consecutive world titles. Now retired Eric is keen to help and support other athletes who have an ambition to achieve on the world stage.
Trustee
Founder and CEO of The Waterboy, Thomas's life has been shaped by sport and the beautiful town of Cambridge. Thomas is passionate about giving people the opportunity to be the best they can be, one of the many motivations for his involvement in Perago Trust.
Trustee
Graham is a Fellow Chartered Accountant who grew up in Cambridge and has run his own accounting practice in town for over 20 years. The firm files tax returns for Olympians, professional rugby players and young athletes on the way up. Graham can provide specialist knowledge on tax residency, expense tax-deductibility, ACC levies and all other accounting related questions including sponsorship proposals. Graham has played rugby on 4 continents and dabbled in Coast-to-coast, ultra-running, rowing and martial arts.
Trustee
Sarah’s athletics career spanned 15 years during which she became the New Zealand high jump and hepthalon champion, and attended numerous world championships, Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
A qualified physiotherapist, Sarah is also a sought after wellness and sport advocate and is an experienced MC and Keynote speaker.
She is the NZOC athlete’s commission Chair, a community education ambassador and works within the Olympic movement in the Oceania region.
Trustee
Nathan is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry.
He has strong professional skills in sales, market research, trade marketing, key account development, and sponsorship.
Trustee
Charlotte is the Commercial Manager for Northern Districts Cricket and also has experience as an event and partnership specialist and key account manager.
She is also a trainer at Move It Mama, the online fitness community designed for women getting connected through exercise.