Support For NZ’s Largest Kids’ Mountain Bike Event

Media Release for immediate use 11 August 2008

Meridian Renews Support For New Zealand’s Largest Kids’ Mountain Bike Event

Meridian has announced it will renew its sponsorship of the hugely popular Meridian Kids’ Bike Jam for a further three years.

The Meridian Kids' Bike Jams are held annually from March until May throughout New Zealand, and are the largest mountain bike series for young people in Australasia.

Event organiser Jill Ford says the support they receive from major sponsor Meridian is invaluable.

“This event would not be possible without the ongoing support of Meridian, the New Zealand Community Trust and our other sponsors. The relationship with Meridian has been excellent over the past few years, their staff are actively involved in all of our Bike Jams, often running the sausage sizzles for hungry kids.”

The races are held throughout New Zealand – including in Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Christchurch – on established off-road tracks suitable for reasonably fit and confident young cyclists. A Meridian Kids’ Bike Jam event will also be returning to Cromwell again next year.

Jill Ford says the emphasis for the Meridian Kids' Bike Jams is on participation.

“The Bike Jams provide a great opportunity for children to be involved in cycling, in a safe environment. Every year more and more children are having a go. This year we had record turnouts in both Christchurch and in Rotorua.”

Every child that completes the course receives a medal, certificate and a backpack full of goodies.

Meridian’s Sponsorship Manager, Mel Seyfort, says the company has been the major sponsor of the Meridian Kids’ Bike Jam since 2006.

“We are delighted to be associated with such a worthy event. It is great to see kids getting out there and being active. New Zealand has such a beautiful backyard to play in so it is great that events like this encourage children to make the most of it,” says Mel Seyfort.

“This year more than 3,500 children competed in Bike Jams across the country and we expect even more to turn out next year as the event continues to grow.”

The dates for the 2009 Meridian Bike Jams are:

Christchurch – 30 May
Rotorua – 5 April
Napier – 5 April
Cromwell – 23 March
Wellington – 10 May
North Auckland – 17 May
Palmerston North – 24 May

ENDS

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