The reach and influence of the Blues Charitable Trust (BCT) is growing.  

Founded by Blues Captain, Patrick Tuipulotu, and other Blues leaders with a pilot programme in 2022, the BCT is about to embark on its third full season with additional staff and resources, further enhancing its positive community impact.  

In 2024, the BCT youth leadership programme grew from 22 schools in 2023 to welcoming 350 students from 34 schools across the Blues region. These students participated in a youth leadership and career course at the Blues HQ training facility.  

A key objective of the BCT programme is to equip students with practical skills they can apply to make better life choices. By empowering them for leadership and bridging the gap between school and real-world education or work, the programme draws on lessons from high-performance sport, leadership principles, and the life experiences of Blues players and staff. 

GM of the Blues Charitable Trust, Rob Woodley, highlighted Tangaroa College as a recent example of tangible success.  

“Of the ten students who joined us from Tangaroa last season, nine of those students are now in leadership positions at their school,” said Woodley.  

“In particular, one student told me since doing the course he is now clear on his ‘why’ which has helped focus his energy and given him more confidence. He’s now Head Boy at Tangaroa College for 2024.” 

Woodley added that students get a real “buzz” hearing from Blues men’s and nib Blues women’s players, who share their personal journeys in leadership and how they’ve navigated challenging times in their lives. 

“The students are sitting in a live rugby environment, hearing from the players as they come off the training field – it’s something pretty special and powerful,” said Woodley. 

“Whether it’s Harry Plummer speaking on resilience, Katelyn Vahaakolo on well-being or Sam Darry on a growth mindset, it certainly hits home with the students.” 

Ensuring the programme offers practical support to students has always been a priority for Woodley. With growing demand, he brought on Rosey Nathan this season as an Early Career & Development Manager.  

Nathan’s diverse experience across a range of industries, including recruitment and career mentorship made her a natural fit to support the BCT’s objectives.  

“As Rob said, we want the BCT programme to be practical for our students. Whether they know their next steps after school or not, we can provide them with a personalised career plan, a LinkedIn profile to network and gain industry insights, a quality CV, and so much more, to ensure they have confidence in their personal brand and future growth,” she said. 

Nathan feels deeply connected to the work.

“I didn’t come from privilege or direct examples of success. Early in my career, I was fortunate to find a mentor who advocated for me, which changed the trajectory of my life. What Rob and the Blues have created will change lives at a much earlier, pivotal time when decisions are crucial.” 

“Visiting the emerging leaders who have been through the programme has been incredibly inspiring, and I’m honoured to work alongside Rob, whose commitment to the BCT is unwavering,” said Nathan. 

 Woodley also highlighted the programme’s reach. 

“We’ve developed a partnership with Rugby for Life, a community charity based in rugby clubs throughout Northland, to extend our leadership programmes and impact across the entire Blues region, from South Auckland to Cape Reinga,” he said. 

“We’ve secured key partners and are in promising discussions with several of New Zealand’s top companies about funding, sponsorship, and work experience opportunities, ranging from school holiday placements to internships. It’s exciting to see how much we can grow and the difference the BCT can make on so many lives and communities.”  

Quick look: Blues Charitable Trust Youth Leadership Programme 

Schools and participants: 

• 34 high schools involved in 2024, up from 22 schools in 2023. 

• 350 emerging youth leaders in 2024, up from 300 in 2023. 

• 10 x Year 12 students selected per school, creating a safe space for leadership development. 

• Each session delivered to 4-5 different school cohorts, encouraging students to engage with peers from diverse backgrounds. 

• 43 Blues players volunteered in 2024, including Blues Captain Patrick Tuipulotu as Ambassador and Trustee. 

• Open to all emerging leaders, the programme is designed for those with potential, regardless of whether or not they are involved in sports. 

Programme structure: 

• Sessions held at Blues HQ, aiming to expand from two sessions per week in 2024 to three sessions in 2025. 

• Additional modules available for self-led learning throughout the year to maintain connectivity and personalised development. 

• Practical skills taught include CV writing, public speaking, LinkedIn profile development, and goal setting. 

• Partnering with local businesses to offer holiday work and internships for students and career opportunities for Blues players. 

International connections: 

• Collaborations with schools in NSW, Australia, with exchange visits planned during school holidays. 

Rob Woodley – GM Blues Charitable Trust 

• Served 28 years in the New Zealand Police in South Auckland at the rank of Sergeant 

• At the Police, founded the Genesis Youth Trust which focused on rehabilitating youth at risk of offending. Working with over 4000 youth and whānau. 

• ONZM awarded for Services to NZ Police and Youth. 

• Completed a Master’s Degree in Advanced Leadership Practice through Massey University with Distinction 

Rosey Nathan – Early Career & Development Manager 

• Certified CMgr FIML with 20+ years of individual and team development career success across industries. 

• Hosted a top #20 globally ranked podcast, inspiring over 200,000 intrapreneurial moments with insights on career, recruitment, and leadership. 

• Developed an AI career coach for rangatahi, leveraging technology to accelerate career pathways. 

• Recruited and built cross-functional teams, aligning organisational needs with individual career goals, significantly boosting client capabilities.