SPARC invests $5m in BikeNZ toward Beijing

1 June 2005

Media Release

SPARC invests $5m in BikeNZ toward Beijing

BikeNZ is to receive a $5 million high performance investment from Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) over the next four years leading up to the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.

As an incentive, BikeNZ is also eligible for a further $1.15 million if the sport meets key targets at the 2005, 2006 and 2007 World Championships, the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in 2006 and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

In addition, SPARC is investing a significant $1.4 million in BikeNZ’s talent development programme aimed towards creating future championships for the 2012 Olympic Games.

“This is very positive news for New Zealand cycling and sends a signal that SPARC is confident in the new BikeNZ structure and the medal potential that exists within road, track, mountain bike and BMX,” said Rodger Thompson, BikeNZ Chief Executive.

“It has been a period of major structural change over the last 18 months in bringing together the various national cycling bodies to work together, however this increased level of support from SPARC clearly reinforces the potential of the new structure,” he said.

Thompson went on to say, “BikeNZ will be ensuring we recruit the best people and that our organisational structure is robust. The investment is confirmed and it is now all about delivering. As a new body we’ve already starting delivering a track record that supporters are recognising.”
SPARC General Manager Performance, Katie Sadleir said that BikeNZ had developed an exciting and challenging high performance programme that contained all of the ingredients required to produce champions.
“We believe that the level of investment we have committed to BikeNZ will not only allow them to win multiple medals at the Beijing Olympics but that it will also ensure they can develop a group of athletes to win even more medals in 2012.”
Bike NZ athletes and coaches are eligible to receive financial assistance through Prime Minister’s Athlete and Coach Scholarships and Performance Enhancement Grants. Carded athletes and coaches receive sport science and sport medicine support through SPARC’s high performance network, the New Zealand Academy of Sport.

SPARC identified cycling as a Revitalisation Sport in 2003. BikeNZ was formed in July 2003 and through SPARC’s Revitalisation Programme has rapidly established itself as a business developing its capability.

SPARC’s role has been to assist BikeNZ to develop its potential though establishing best practice systems in planning and governance, commercialisation, recruitment of staff and improved HR processes, and upgrading of financial systems and IT infrastructure.

Ends

Background information:

BikeNZ was established in July 2003 as the new national service organisation for cycling and services six member organisations - Cycling NZ, Mountain Bike NZ, BMX NZ, NZ Schools Cycling, NZ Masters Cycling, and the Cycling Advocates Network.

For the first time the backing of the New Zealand Academy of Sport, SPARC’s high performance network, will be confirmed for a full four-year Olympic cycle; this permanency providing security to BikeNZ’s long term planning, staffing and most importantly, rider training and competition.

SPARC provides advice to Government on the sport and recreation sector and is charged with promoting, encouraging and supporting physical activity and sport in New Zealand. SPARC’s high performance network, the New Zealand Academy of Sport, provides a comprehensive support system to assist national sport organisations to achieve international sporting excellence.

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