Who we are

While Don Oliver’s legendary status is as an Olympian and pioneer in the fitness industry, his work with young people was what inspired Waitakere Sir Bob Harvey, Councillor Ross Dallow MNZM, businessman and philanthropist Bryan Heron MNZM, Olympian and businessman (the late) Chris Timms and lawyer Bernie Allan to established the Don Oliver Youth Sport Foundation in 1997.​

What better memorial to his life's work with young people could there be, they reasoned, than a charitable foundation in his name, to assist promising young athletes?

The Foundation was established with the mission to provide scholarships and other forms of support for pre-elite Waitakere athletes in all codes. To be eligible the youngsters must live and train in Waitakere and have the realistic ability to step up to national and international honours.

Scholarships are tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. ​

There hasn't been a single Olympic or Commonwealth Games team in 17 years without at least one past Don Oliver Scholar.  Most celebrated, are world class swimmers Lauren Boyle and Melissa Ingram.

Alongside Olympians and Commonwealth Games aspirants, there have also been world champions, national champions - overall, class and age group - Commonwealth champions, scholars to US universities, and people reaching for the top in teams such as football and netball.  Then there is Equestrian, BMX and even motocross and motorcycle track racing.

Every one of them credits "The Don Oliver" with giving them real assistance. As a result West Auckland "punches above its weight" in terms of young achievers, and those young West Auckland achievers are given assistance from the community that is simply not available in many other towns and cities.

Because "The Don Oliver" obtains its funding from the West Auckland Community, this is very definitely a case of West Aucklanders helping West Aucklanders. It's called "The Westie Way".