Hawke’s Bay’s rising sport stars get increased support

Expect more talented young sports people achieving international success in future years following a boost in funding to Sport Hawke’s Bay’s Talented Athlete Development Programme.

Sport Hawke’s Bay chief executive Mark Aspden today announced increased financial support from Sir Graeme Avery, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park and EIT Hawke’s Bay to open the programme up to more athletes as well as increasing the level of delivery expertise.

The Sport Hawke’s Bay Talent Development Programme will utilise the outdoor and indoor training facilities at the Regional Sports Park, Pettigrew.Green Arena as well as the sports science capabilities of EIT.

“The additional financial support from Sir Graeme Avery, the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park and EIT means we can provide more support to our talented athletes.”

“The programme will involve the delivery of strength and conditioning, nutrition, lifestyle and sports psychology services.”

“Sport Hawke’s Bay aims to get more people, more active, more often and some of these people go on to be high performing athletes. It is important they get the support they need while staying here in the Bay and we are proud to be playing our part.” Aspden added.

The extended programme will include the Sport New Zealand’s current High Performance ‘Pathway to Podium’ young talent development athletes of Shannon Gearey (athletics), Elise Legarth (kayak), Kimiora Poi (netball), Kate McKelvie (para swimming), Ruby Adsett (swimming) and Georgia Hulls (athletics). Additional athletes will be named within the next month.

Sir Graeme Avery is the founder and chairman of the AUT Millennium Institute of Sport and Health on Auckland’s North Shore and he was keen to see an extension of high performance activities in the Bay.

“Our talented athletes can stay in Hawke’s Bay and best utilise the facilities and expertise here in the Bay while also tap in the resources at the AUT Millennium Institute of Sport and Health.”

“I have a passion for sport and for the Hawke’s Bay region and I am very pleased to contribute to this initiative, both financially and in terms of providing assistance to the Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park and Sport Hawke’s Bay in evaluating options to extend the talented athlete development programme, to the wider sporting community.”

The AUT Millennium Institute of Sport and Health is a multisport facility with sports science research and support on-site and is the National High Performance Sport Training Centre.

It is a unique world class facility for development of sports ability and human potential from the grass roots community user through to the internationally-ranked sportsperson.

Jock Mackintosh, Hawke’s Bay Regional Sports Park CEO, says “it is great to work in conjunction with Sport Hawke’s Bay, EIT and Sir Graeme to support this programme.”

“We want to encourage greater use of our facilities and supporting our region’s talented athletes is an important part of this. We are also pleased that Sir Graeme has agreed to work with us in an advisory capacity to explore future options.”

“Sir Graeme has extensive experience in sport performance development at a national and international level and the Regional Sports Park is very pleased that he is able to advise them around strategic planning issues” said Mr Mackintosh.

Sport Hawke's Bay's talent development manager Marcus Agnew said the programme provides a pathway to nurture promising talent in the province.

"In time we hope to see more Hawke's Bay athletes achieving on the national and international stage, bringing pride and inspiration to their communities.”

EIT chief executive Chris Collins said the increased support from EIT shows the commitment it has to retaining athletes in the region.

“Following on from financially supporting the joint EIT/Sport Hawke’s Bay Scholarship, this funding will see more of our young athletes staying in Hawke’s Bay while also being able to further their education through EIT,” he said.

For more information please visit www.sporthb.net.nz

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