SPARC gives Triathlon NZ a boost

11 November 2005

SPARC gives Triathlon NZ a boost

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) has announced an additional investment for Triathlon NZ in the lead-up to this weekend’s ITU World Cup Triathlon race in New Plymouth.

The $330,000 investment from SPARC is for Triathlon NZ to spend on sport development over the next three years to capitalise on their success after last year’s Athens Olympics.

The additional investment brings SPARC’s total investment in Triathlon NZ to over $1 million for the 2005/2006 financial year.

SPARC is also the lead government agency supporting this weekend’s ITU World Cup Triathlon race through the government’s inter-agency fund. The Inter-Agency Events Group has contributed $200,000 towards the event.

The event, which takes place this Sunday afternoon, has attracted big Kiwi names including Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Samantha Warriner and rising Christchurch sports star, Andrea Hewitt.

“New Zealand is fortunate to have a number of world-class triathletes at the moment and SPARC wants to ensure that there are systems and structures in place to sustain the sport’s success in the future,” said Nick Hill, SPARC Chief Executive.

Triathlon NZ Chief Executive, Rick Faulding said that SPARC’s overall investment was crucial to the future success of the sport.

“SPARC’s on-going investment in Triathlon NZ will help us continue to make some real progress at both grass-roots and the high performance end of sport in this country,” said Faulding.

SPARC’s additional investment in Triathlon NZ follows a recent review of the entire multi-sport sector, including triathlon.

The review found that there was an increase in the number of people wanting to participate in multi-sport events. The review concluded that participants enjoyed the flexibility of the sport, the opportunity to enjoy New Zealand’s spectacular scenery, and the challenge that these types of events presented.

Nick Hill said that SPARC was committed to working alongside the multi-sport sector and Triathlon NZ so that they were able to maximise event opportunities.

ENDS

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