It was a beautiful day and fabulous way to kick off the Keystone 2026 year. Auckland’s Victoria Park was the ideal venue for a sporting event that brought out the best in students and sponsors alike.
That’s where the JLL ‘Try for Charity’ – a touch rugby contest supporting the Keystone Trust – saw every contestant put their side-stepping, ball-rolling, backward-passing skills to the test.The day-long challenge in February saw 35 past and present Keystone students partner up among twenty-one sponsor teams in an effort to be declared the ultimate sevens winner.
In the event, that title went to Team Hawkins – but there is so much more to the event, which is now an annual fixture in the Keystone calender. In its four-year existence, it has raised over $100,000 for the trust. It’s also an ideal environment for everyone from corporate heads to first-year students to literally meet on a level playing field and carry that encounter into the long-term.
JLL associate director Liam Matheson, one of the brains behind the scheme, explains. “It’s a shorts-and-T shirt environment. No fancy evening dress, no suits; all the fabricated barriers are stripped off and everyone realises what the real meaning of this day is. It connects with people across all ages and tiers of our industry.”
Liam, like JLL New Zealand managing director Todd Lauchlan, is a keen sportsman. The two of them came up with the idea after seeing a company touch event in Queensland. As long-term Keystone sponsors: “we had a nice connection with Keystone and I felt we could do our own charity version, with the proceeds going to the Trust. It was something positive that we could give back,” says Todd.
Despite coming away with sore knees, ankles and hamstrings after playing five games in the latest event, Todd is a dedicated convert. “I really get excited by Try for Charity, and I’m so proud of the students. I think it’s great they get involved.”The benefits go way beyond the final whistle. That’s illustrated by the number of students who go on to build long-term work or mentoring placements with those they’ve met on the field, says Todd. Some of them keep on coming back for more. Allen Dela Cruz, a C3 scholarship recipient and now working at TSA Riley, is a stand-out player. He’s turned up for every event since his student days and every person wants him on their team, says Liam. “He’s full of joy and laughs, which is a good illustration of a very successful event.”
Keystone General Manager Amanda Stanes is delighted with the growth of Try for Charity. “The event encapsulates what the trust is all about. It pairs experts in their field with the next generation of talent in a fun environment, which adds value and fosters lifelong learnings,” she says. This year was their biggest yet, she adds. And it looks like there’s much more to come. As long-term sponsor, JLL is looking forward to next year, says Todd Lauchlan. “It’s nice to know that a little idea we had a few years ago has come to life. We’ve already 2027 locked in.”
A special thanks to Vitaco Group, Tongariro – Natural Spring Water, Programmed, Precinct and Kwik N Ezy Canopy for all your generosity and time!
