SPARC Invests In Future Kiwi Sporting Success

Embargoed until 1pm 15 December 2008

Media Release
15 December 2008

SPARC Invests In Future Kiwi Sporting Success

SPARC is investing $4.8 million in 18 sports in 2009 aimed at having more New Zealand athletes and teams winning on the world stage.

The contestable investment package will be followed by a further investment announcement in February next year for the nine ‘targeted’ sports (athletics, bike, netball, cricket, rowing, rugby, sailing, swimming and triathlon.)

SPARC High Performance Manager Martin Toomey says the investments are based on SPARC’s successful High Performance Strategy which targets sports with the best prospects of international success at Olympics, world championships and Paralympics.

“The funding reflects performance. Sports which have delivered and have a clear, realistic plan to be successful in the future have gained support.

“The Beijing Olympics confirmed the High Performance Strategy is working and the approach New Zealand must take if it wants to remain competitive in international sport,” Toomey said.

Women’s football receives a major boost with a $300,000 investment for 2009 as part of a $725,000 investment through to 2012. The investment follows highly encouraging performances at the 2007 World Cup, Beijing Olympics and the under-17 and under-20 World Cups.

There is continued multi-year support for Paralympics, Winter Sports, bowls, flat water canoeing and men’s hockey reflecting good performances at the elite level and potential for future achievement.

Sports such as archery, gymsports, beach volleyball and wrestling tailored applications for smaller investments targeting specific athletes with a realistic chance of international success.

Toomey says some sports will naturally be disappointed at not receiving support or gaining less than they had applied for, but the rationale for the investments has been clear cut.

“We’ve had to make some tough calls, but SPARC believes they are the right ones. The criteria is known and understood by the various sports organisations,” Toomey said.

”Some sports or teams have missed out under the High Performance contestable funding criteria due to recent performances at the elite level.

“SPARC will continue to work with these sports organisations through avenues outside of the contestable funding programme. It is important to remember SPARC will continue to provide support and investment to these organisations,” Toomey said.

Overall SPARC will invest in excess of $32 million in high performance sport in 2008/09, including Prime Minister’s Scholarships, Performance Enhancement Grants and New Zealand Academy of Sport performance services.

ENDS

(Note: table of contestable investment attached to release)

SPARC Contestable Investment in National Sport Organisations 2009

Sport $ Investment
Archery 25,000
Basketball (men) 300,000
Beach volleyball 50,000
Bowls 350,000
Canoe (flat-water)* 562,500
Equestrian (eventing) 525,000
Football (women) 300,000
Gymsports 25,000
Hockey (men) 700,000
Paralympics* 550,000
Roller Sports 50,000
Shooting* 33,000
Softball (men)* 200,000
Squash* 300,000
Surf Lifesaving 150,000
Tennis 50,000
Winter Sports* 600,000
Wrestling 20,000
TOTAL 4,790,500
* 2009/2010 commitment approved during 2006 contestable investment round.

Notes
• Golf did not submit a contestable high performance investment application as it receives ‘whole of sport’ investment support (i.e. investment in areas such as coaching, administration, junior development).

• Rugby League did not apply for contestable high performance support as a ‘whole of sport’ investment will be considered following the completion of the NZRL review.

• While unsuccessful under the High Performance investment criteria, the All Whites will receive a grant of $250,000 (outside of the High Performance contestable fund) to support their preparation ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualification series. The team is considered a good prospect and the potential financial benefit for New Zealand Football should it qualify is substantial.

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