Image: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – DECEMBER 03: Sir Owen Glenn and David Liti pose for a photo during the 2018 New Zealand Olympic Committee Gala at the Sky City Convention Centre on December 03, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images for the NZOC)

Sir Owen Glenn has announced a new legacy project which will see more children around the country inspired to get involved in sport.

The ‘Sir Owen Glenn Olympic Legacy’ will support a series of youth focused leadership initiatives run by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

One of the initiatives set to benefit is the New Zealand Olympic Ambassadors programme, which sees past and present Olympians share their stories with school children around the country. It is one of several New Zealand Olympic education programmes that will receive a huge boost from Sir Owen’s $3 million legacy donation.

Sir Owen says he’s established the Sir Owen Glenn Olympic Legacy as he’s passionate about getting children involved in sport.

These Olympians inspire children to take up sport at a young age which is fantastic.

Sport helps kids develop values and skills which benefit them in their day to day lives so I’m delighted to continue my support for the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith says the Legacy donation will support the work athletes do with young New Zealanders.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the formal creation of the Sir Owen Glenn Olympic Legacy and we thank Sir Owen for his generosity and commitment to young people and sport,” she said.

“Our Olympic and Commonwealth Games Teams will benefit, as will our programmes that support the creation of young leaders.”

The New Zealand Olympic Women’s Leadership Academy will also benefit as the donation lends support to women and girls’ leadership development through Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport.

In addition, Sir Owen established the New Zealand Olympic Committee Yvette Williams Olympic Scholarship fund with a $500,000 donation made in 2014. The fund provides financial support to athletes on the road to Olympic Games. In 2018 it was awarded to Commonwealth Games gold medal winning weightlifter, David Liti.