Fostering Talent in Yachting for Future Success

Yachting New Zealand Official Media Release

Date: Wednesday 4th February 2004

Issued By: Louise Andrews, Communications & Projects Coordinator

Peter Snell Institute of Sport and Yachting New Zealand - Fostering Talent in Yachting For Future Success

Yachting New Zealand the National body for Yachting and the Peter Snell Institute of Sport have formed an alliance based on the two organisations shared vision of fostering the development of more world-class athletes for New Zealand.

The Peter Snell Institute of Sport will provide funding to assist 18 - 25 year old sailors during a key transition from youth classes to Olympic classes.

Through the Peter Snell Institute of Sport's Athlete Scholarship initiative funding ranging from $500 - $3,000 will be provided to up to 14 sailors a year, to assist with equipment, travel and coaching related costs.

Some funding will also be provided for Regional Development Squads to be held in the Northern, Central and Southern Region to assist sailors in making the transition into the youth classes, and prepare them for possible selection into the National Youth Squad or National Youth Team. Ensuring that sailors identified from regions throughout New Zealand benefit from high performance coaching from some of New Zealand's top yachting coaches.

Daniel Gerrard, General Manager of the Peter Snell Institute of Sport comments, "We are delighted to be able to provide support to Yachting New Zealand to assist them in developing young sailors nationwide and look forward to seeing some of these sailors in future national youth and Olympic teams in years to come"

Yachting New Zealand's Chief Executive, Simon Wickham comments,"We're pleased to form a partnership with the Peter Snell Institute to help provide support to our developing sailors, especially those that have moved through our national youth programme and are now trying to break into the olympic classes. New Zealand has some great potential youth level and we we hope this will encourage those sailors to continue to develop their talent and focus towards Olympic success".

Sailors can apply for the athlete scholarships annually in March by completing the application form obtained directly from The Peter Snell Institute of Sport, website: www.petersnellinstitute.org.nz

ENDS

For more information on the Peter Snell Institute of Sport refer to: www.petersnellinstitute.org.nz

Simon Wickham

Yachting New Zealand - Chief Executive