New high performance sport entity a step closer

A new entity to take high performance sport in New Zealand to the next level is now a step closer.

Paul Collins, Chair of the SPARC High Performance Board, has announced an agreement in principle to form a single high performance sport entity through a merger of the two New Zealand Academies of Sport and SPARC's High Performance Unit.

The new entity will have strong links to the New Zealand Olympic Committee and national sports organisations.

Collins says a merger will take high performance sport in New Zealand to a new level, stating "this new structure will harness the energy and refine the focus of everyone involved in high performance sport. This is great news for our athletes.

"A more focused approach, teamed up with the network of world-class facilities currently being developed around the country, will herald in a new era for our high performance athletes. We will see more Kiwis winning on the world stage."

The New Zealand Academies of Sport, North Island and South Island, have welcomed the announcement.

NZAS North Island Board Chair Mike Stanley says this agreement is great news for everyone involved in the delivery of high performance sport.

"This agreement marks the start of a watershed time for high performance sport in New Zealand and we're thrilled to be a part of it. The academies already work closely with athletes to help them be the best that they can be. As part of this new entity we'll be able to do even more, and so will our athletes."

The review of New Zealand's high performance structure was announced by the Prime Minister last year as part of a major investment in, and re-shaping of, high performance sport, aimed at making New Zealand one of the most successful sporting nations in the world.

SPARC's High Performance Board was charged with leading the review and preliminary work has been underway since then.

A High Performance Working Group has now been set up to talk to athletes, coaches, national sports organisations and staff at the academies and SPARC, and to work through the details of how the new high performance unit should be established.

Dave Beeche, who is on the HP Working Group as a representative of the National Sports Organisations Chief Executives Group, says athletes will be the real winners.

"National sports organisations will only have to deal with one agency when seeking high performance funding and support, and our athletes will be able to focus on winning medals."

The in principle agreement has been welcomed by New Zealand Minister of Sport and Recreation Murray McCully.

Minister McCully stated that the "announcement is a very positive response from the sector to the injection of new capital and operating funding by the Government last year. I indicated at the time that we wanted efficient delivery mechanisms that focused the maximum levels of support to athletes and provided them with a simple point of connection with the system.

"While there are clearly important details to be worked through over the coming weeks I welcome the fact that leaders from the three key bodies have so clearly placed the delivery of support for athletes to the fore in making the in principle decision to merge."

"I also welcome the close involvement of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and the representatives of the national sporting organisations who have a significant stake in the final structure."

Paul Collins adds that the transition to a new structure will be handled carefully so that it doesn't disrupt athletes as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympics and other major events.