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THE BDC CHALLENGE
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Community Stories: The Beat Dan Carter Challenge
That’s a wrap on the Beat Dan Carter challenge! We’ve been blown away by the efforts of Kiwis across the motu who chucked on their rugby boots and got kicking for kids in the Pacific.
New Zealand put in the hard yards, booting over 12,000 kicks across all teams and individuals – all while fundraising more than $130,000 for our Pacific whānau!
Thanks to your mahi, we'll be investing in water and sanitation for tamariki in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Kiribati. How awesome is that?
We’d love to shout out everyone that got involved, but that’d make for a lot of reading, so we’ve spoken to some of our fundraising heroes to get the inside-scoop of what motivated them to participate.
JOSIAH KOMENE, 29
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am 29 years old and have just recently relocated to Whakatū, Nelson, for a new adventure. On September 5th, 2024, I’ll be marrying my beautiful fiancé Kristie. We decided to move to Nelson to be in the same city and start a life together (we were doing long distance for a solid year; I was in Christchurch she was in Auckland.)
I work at Whakatū Marae as a youth worker and I love being able to contribute to our rangatahi and whānau in any capacity. My passions are whānau, friends, music, sport and te reo Māori. I have a page I run on Instagram called Kōrero Māori, which helps people who want to learn te reo Māori. It provides phrases and words daily that people can use in their everyday conversations.
I also have a love and passion for film and radio. I worked as a radio presenter at Tahu Fm in Christchurch and as a casting director for Whitebait Media on a TV show called Brainbusters.
What inspired you to participate in the BDC challenge?
I have always looked up to Dan Carter since I was a kid - his consistency, his amazing skills and his genuine character. I love watching video compilations of him kicking goals. Even though I don’t play rugby anymore, I do love a good kicking session. It helps relieve stress and is a good way to block out distractions and ease the mind.
When I saw the opportunity to participate in this challenge, I didn’t hesitate. To partner with Dan Carter, my favourite all time rugby player, and UNICEF to fundraise for a cause that provides clean water in the Pacific, I could not be more grateful to be able to contribute.
What was the most enjoyable part of the challenge?
The fun part was putting on the boots, lacing them up and pretending each kick was a World Cup final and I was Dan Carter. I studied his kicking game and all aspects of how he kicks, from ball placement to walk back, approach and follow through. I found it quite an amazing opportunity to be able to do something I enjoy, and it make a difference to those less fortunate.
We’d love to know about your journey teaching te reo and creating content around this… Give us the low down?
Learning te reo Māori can be daunting for anyone, so we (Not Another) created a page dedicated to helping those who want to learn, making it simpler and more accessible. The goal is to give key phrases or words daily that people can use to enhance the use of te reo Māori and to make it fun and easy to understand. I partnered with Not Another, a creative agency, to develop a video series called ‘Ngā Taonga o Te Ao Māori’ to help businesses in Aotearoa understand and embrace Māori values. They are free and accessible to everyone throughout Aotearoa. So, feel free to share it around and start your own journey in te ao Māori.
KAYDEN GODBOLD, 14
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Kayden Godbold I am a fourteen-year-old student at Rosmini College in year 10, I live on Auckland's North Shore. I played my junior rugby for Northcote Rugby Club but only started in J2.
I used to play Football at Birkenhead from 3 years old which gave me the skills to be able to kick goals today. In fact, I play most sports including water polo and cricket for my school and club. Both my mum and dad played rugby and many other sports so it’s in my blood. I love rugby and I want to make it professional.
I couldn't think of a better job.
What inspired you to participate in the BDC challenge?
I really thought that beating Dan Carter would be a big achievement, I never thought I would, but it also gave me motivation to practice harder and put in the hard work. I thought it was pretty cool that I was raising money while doing something that was fun, and I loved.
You beat Dan’s score by a lot!
How did you do it and what’d it feel like to know you beat him?
Growing up Dan Carter was a big idol of mine. I looked up to him and thought to myself that I wanted to be like him one day. Then, getting the opportunity to be able to do a challenge against him was so cool. The only reason I was able to beat him was because of the unreal support and encouragement to keep me going.
My rugby teammates helped, and my whole school got behind me. I practice my kicks for rugby at least twice a week, so me and mum did lots of fast kicking on these days and we had a timer going, so we kind of knew what I was able to do in 30 mins - even with mum as the only ball collector running around! So, we built up each week and got faster. I found that the kick T was the hardest thing, as each kick it moved, and I had to replace it on the ground each time.
The BDC fundraising went toward clean water for Pacific tamariki.
Are there any other causes close to your heart?
Last year my grandad was diagnosed with cancer, and I thought of the idea to raise money for the Northland Cancer Society. I raised more than $1500 to help them try to find a cure for cancer and I was given a certificate for my achievements. My grandad also fought his battle, and it made him even stronger than before.
I also have a grandad with dementia. He lives in England I rarely get to see him but last year we went over to see him for Christmas, and I told him that every time I look up at the sticks to kick a conversion, I imagine him standing under the sticks getting ready to catch it when it goes over. He was a rugby player and a goal kicker, so I know it makes him very proud. My next fundraiser may be for him and his disease.
KOBE JENNINGS, 8
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am 8 years old and live in Tauranga, I love all sports especially rugby, my favourite players are Jordie Barrett and Dan Carter.
What inspired you to participate in the BDC challenge?
I like rugby, I like kicking and I like Dan Carter.
What was the most difficult part of the challenge?
Having to kick quickly for the whole hour.
What did you learn from participating in the challenge?
If I try hard, I can do more than I think.
