Race Day
Race Day 2011 - Ellerslie
The Diocesan Sports Foundation hosted its 3rd Diocesan Race Day at the Auckland Racing Club at Ellerslie Saturday 28 May.
Around 275 people attended the event, including groups from the corporate sector who are associated with Diocesan, old girls and parents and their friends. Guests were greeted on arrival with the offer of a VnC Cocktail (described as a unique new “bartender in a bottle”), then gathered in the Chairman’s Room in the Ellerslie Event Centre from where they had a magnificent birds-eye view of the race track and importantly the finish line. There was a good deal of interest in the various races – typically during the final stages of each race the punters were on their feet egging on their chosen horse followed by much gibing and general hilarity at who had and hadn’t won and of course their relative takings.
The Race Day is primarily a fund raising activity to enable the Sport’s Foundation to continue its work supporting Sport at Diocesan, but it doubles as an enjoyable and entertaining social activity for Diocesan’s wider family.
Sponsorship packages had been pre-sold to several businesses or groups with links to the Diocesan family. A highlight of the day for all race sponsors was the opportunity to be part of the race activities. This included going to the birdcage to watch the parade of horses before the race, being trackside for a close-up experience of the race, presenting a dress rug to the winning owners of the horse and then after the race, being entertained by Auckland Racing Club representatives and enjoying a glass of champagne with the winning owners and/or trainers.
We acknowledge the contribution of the following sponsors to the race day:
• 10K Sportswear
• Westpac
• St Reims
• Professional Parents group
• Mothers and Daughters group
As well enjoying the racing activities and lunch, guests participated keenly in the Sports Foundation’s silent auction. There were around 50 items to bid for, including the opportunity to enjoy lunch with iconic rugby legend, Gavin Hastings, food and beauty gift baskets, sporty sunglasses and gym membership vouchers. Several items attracted intense interest with more than one person determined to be the winner!
Any event of this kind requires a team of people working together to ensure it’s success and the Sports Foundation sincerely thanks everyone involved. Firstly to the companies and individuals who were sponsors of the event, to everyone who attended the day and contributed to the fun and enjoyment, to Mark Leishman who as MC kept the punters informed and to the Sports Foundation members, particularly Jenny Cade and Robyn Jacobson, who organised the event including the successful silent auction and raffle.
Our thanks also to the many businesses and individuals who generously donated items for the silent auction.
