27 April 2006
Peter Snell Institute - Success Breeds Success
In its fifth year of assisting athletes, coaches and identifying talent the persistence of the Peter Snell Institute is
paying off. A total of 19 of the Institute’s scholarship recipients represented New Zealand at the recent Commonwealth
Games, six of them winning medals including Valerie Vili and Nick Willis. Currently there are 165 athletes’ scholarships
for a wide variety of sports gaining some financial support with their training and coaching. Many other athletes are
being considered on a monthly basis.
"Successful sports people have always been revered and served as role models. They can often be seen as the
personification of their nation or a team and in turn motivate or inspire individuals to participate in physical
activity," says Colin Kay, Chairman Peter Snell Institute.
"The Peter Snell Institute was extremely happy with the 19 scholarship athletes who represented New Zealand at the
Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Their efforts to firstly make the Commonwealth Games and then compete with distinction are
to be commended," he says.
While its the high profile performers who are recognised by the public the Peter Snell Institute isn't just about high
performance athletes. It is undertaking plans for around 40,000 students to have the opportunity to be tested at the
first stage of talent id within schools.
The Peter Snell Institute of Sport Talent Search Programme is a talent detection, identification and development
programme. The initial goal of Talent Search is to increase the level of participation in sport. From an increased pool
of participants there will be a greater chance for potential talent to be recognised. “There’s a wealth of talent to be
discovered from Cape Reinga to the deep south but it's a matter of having a structured approach and utilizing our
resources properly," says Ken Lynch, Talent Search Director.
The Talent Search Programme is modelled on the highly successful Programme implemented by the Australian Institute of
Sport nine years ago. It is about empowering talented individuals with the knowledge about their potential - giving them
the opportunity to open the door to sporting excellence.
The 19 Commonwealth Games athletes who are Peter Snell Institute scholarship recipients -Vali Vili (athletics), Brent
Newdick (athletics), James Dolphin (athletics), Nick Willis (athletics), Tim Gudsell (cycling), Michelle Hyland
(cycling), Peter Latham (cycling), Paddy Walker (cycling), Clinton Avery (cycling), Georgia Cervin (gymnastics), Olivia
Jobsis (gymnastics), Misha Koudinov (gymnastics), Melissa Logan (gymnastics), Sarah Miller (gymnastics), Patrick Peng
(gymnastics), Lauren Boyle (swimming), Melissa Ingram (swimming), Glenn Snyders (swimming), Corney Swanepoel (swimming).
ENDS