The Butterfly Trust is run by the husband-and-wife team of David and Lynn Colbert with the aim of helping communities in developing countries around the world.
“Football is extremely popular throughout Vanuatu and the people go to great lengths to kick a ball on surfaces riddled with crab holes,” David Colbert says.
“So aligning ourselves with the champions of Oceania, Auckland City, makes perfect sense.”
Some of the projects the Butterfly Trust is working on include raising money for school fees, building a library, putting in lights in classrooms, vocational training in building and electrical work, and organising doctors to provide training to local nurses.
Using the recent ASB Premiership Super City derby with Waitakere United as the backdrop, Auckland City and the Butterfly Trust raised $1,000 NZD from match day activities for use in projects in rural Vanuatu.
“The Auckland City club is cognisant of the challenges faced by Oceania’s developing nations in infrastructure and education and we see this unique link with the Butterfly Trust as a natural step toward giving something back to our Oceania community,” Auckland City spokeman Gordon Glen Watson says.
Auckland City have also committed to donating playing kits, training gear and equipment to the Butterfly Trust for distribution in Vanuatu as part of the build-up to the club’s O-League match with Amicale in Port Vila next month.
David Colbert says Butterfly Trust’s relationship with Auckland City would draw attention to some of the challenges faced by people in the outer islands of Vanuatu.
“Funds raised from donations are put towards various projects but football is an ideal vehicle to spread the message of healthy living and it gives people in Vanuatu an opportunity for experiences they may not otherwise enjoy.”
Auckland City has visited Vanuatu on a regular basis since the inception of the O-League in 2007 and has faced Tafea, Port Vila Sharks and Amicale on numerous occasions.
David Colbert highlights Wairarapa United and YoungHeart Manawatu striker Seule Soromon as an example of what can be achieved by Vanuatu players in other parts of the Pacific.
“I think everyone in football is aware of the impact that a Vanuatu football player like Seule Soromon has had on the ASB Premiership and Chatham Cup and Auckland City would love to see the young people achieve their dreams whatever they may be as he has,” he says.
Auckland City 2012 O-League fixtures
Auckland City (NZL) v Koloale (SOL)
Saturday 18 February
Kiwitea Street
Auckland, New Zealand
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)
Saturday 3 March, 2012
Hekari United (PNG) v Auckland City (NZL)
Saturday 3 March
PMRL Stadium, Port Moresby
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)
Saturday 31 March, 2012
Amicale (VAN) v Auckland City (NZL)
PVL Stadium
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Kick-off: 3pm (local time)

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