MEDIA RELEASE 26 June 2008
Outward Bound Teams Up With Rowing New Zealand
Rowing New Zealand today [26 June] announced a partnership with the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand which its hopes
will help see more athletes up on the dais post the Beijing Olympics.
Rowing New Zealand High Performance Manager, Andrew Matheson, said Rowing New Zealand has a clear aim of being the best
rowing nation in the world.
“To do this we must look for opportunities for our athletes to be the best that they can be and we hope that the Outward
Bound partnership will help facilitate this,” he said.
“For an athlete to be at the top of their game they need to be performing in all aspects of their life. It’s only when
physical and mental focus, along with emotional commitment, come into line that an athlete is able to truly achieve
their full potential.”
Over the past four years Outward Bound has been helping Rowing New Zealand’s athletes to achieve this objective by
providing custom designed courses.
“We are, therefore, pleased to be able to roll out further courses to those people in this year’s Under 23 Squad and to
members of our current elite team.”
Outward Bound Chief Executive Officer, Trevor Taylor, said he was delighted to be working with Rowing New Zealand.
“We view the partnership as endorsement of the important role Outward Bound can play in building robust relationships
and understanding between team members, as well as increasing their drive and motivation to be the best that they can
be.
“The courses cover a wide range of areas from increasing athletes’ self awareness through to helping them to develop a
mental edge which is a critical part for competing at an international level.”
To date, two custom designed courses have been held at Outward Bound. The most recent one which involved the Under 23
Squad, was used to kick start the team’s 2006/07 training programme and preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic squad
selection trials.
Beijing Olympics competitors Nathan Cohen (Double Scull) plus Storm Uru and Peter Taylor (Lightweight Double Sculls) all
took part in the 2006 Under 23 Outward Bound course. “Thanks to Outward Bound, the Squad got to know each other a whole
lot better, and became much closer as a team,” Nathan said.
“Personally, Outward Bound has also made me more aware of my values in life, and of the goals I want to achieve both in
sport and in general.”
Andrew Matheson said the change in the 2006 under-23 Squad was immediately apparent at the conclusion of the 10 day
Outward Bound course, and the benefits have continued to be felt ever since.
“We’ll be looking for a repeat of those results across all our athletes who get the opportunity to take part in one of
the Outward Bound courses.”
-ends-
BACKGROUND
About Outward Bound
Outward Bound is an organisation that is focused on showing people their full potential through challenge and
adventure in the outdoors. It was established in 1962 and still operates from the original location, Anakiwa, in the
Marlborough Sounds. The Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand is a member of Outward Bound International – there are 42
member countries. Outward Bound offers:
o Youth courses - Classic, Mind Body and Soul, School leaders, Leaps and Bounds and Catalyst. o Adult courses -Masters,
Discovery, Leaps and Bounds and Navigator. o Disability courses - Starlight, No Limits, Horizon, Brain Injury
Association, Deaf Association and Insight
Outward Bound courses provide life changing personal development experiences to attendees –both young and old. In
2005 and 2007 Outward Bound won the Overall JRA Best Places to Work in New Zealand Award.
The courses being offered to Rowing New Zealand athletes have as their key objectives: Development of a mental edge
required to participate at the highest level. Exposing athletes to situations where teamwork is essential in overcoming
team challenges. Development of attitudes, character, and qualities required for success both personally and in elite
sports. Increasing athletes’ self-awareness of their strengths, areas for development, aspirations and values. Expanding
athletes’ comfort zones and enhancing motivation. Providing opportunities for athletes to develop leadership. Building
robust relationships between team members.