BCT FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME OPENS STRONG IN 2026
The 2026 Blues Charitable Trust (BCT) Flagship programme is underway, with Week 1 beginning on 17 February and bringing together Year 12 students from across the region for the start of a long-term leadership and development journey.
Guided by BCT’s purpose of empowering rangatahi to make good choices for great lives, the programme continues to connect leadership learning with personal growth and early work readiness, building on the strong progress already being seen in schools and communities.
Cohort 1 this year includes students from nine schools alongside a group from Auckland Rugby Pro-Sport, creating a diverse learning environment where different experiences and perspectives come together.
Early reflections from BCT’s team show students engaging thoughtfully with conversations around identity, self-leadership, and the everyday choices that shape future direction.
“Week One is about helping students realise leadership isn’t something waiting for them in the future, it’s the decisions they make every day, right now,” said BCT GM Rob Woodley.
“When rangatahi start to see their own potential clearly, that’s where real growth begins.”
The Flagship programme runs across five workshops throughout the year, moving from self-leadership and belonging through to resilience, early career pathways, and leading within high-performing teams.
A fifth workshop in August is designed to reconnect, reflect, reinforce, and renew learning. Importantly, students remain connected with BCT for up to 16 months, allowing development and support to continue well beyond the initial sessions.
Week One feedback suggests the learning is already resonating. Students spoke about gaining a clearer understanding of leadership, reflecting on their own strengths and mindset, and recognising shared experiences with others in the room.
Comments ranged from developing confidence and improving time management to thinking more deeply about identity and purpose, early signs of the personal growth the programme aims to encourage.
Across 2026, BCT is on track to engage more than 50 schools and over 450 students. Northland students are also confirmed for a dedicated weekend programme from 13–15 March, which will include attending Moana Pasifika games, extending the learning beyond the workshop environment and strengthening connection through shared experiences.
BCT also acknowledges the partners helping make this impact possible, with thanks to Major Strategic Partner Mainfreight, alongside Supporting Partners Lockton and Dalton Electrical, whose backing helps create meaningful opportunities for rangatahi across the region.
As the year unfolds, the focus remains clear: supporting young people to build confidence, strengthen leadership, and develop the skills needed to make positive choices for their future.
To learn more about the Blues Charitable Trust or explore partnership opportunities, visit thebluestrust.org or contact Rob Woodley ([email protected]) or Rosey Nathan ([email protected]).