The Sparc Hillary Expedition - How to apply

The Sparc Hillary Expedition - How to apply and criteria - Overview

The SPARC Hillary Expedition will fund one inspiring adventure every second year to a maximum value of $100,000.

The adventure will involve an outdoors expedition and can take place in New Zealand or offshore. It could be a team or an individual that undertakes the adventure.

The adventure might include, but is not limited to, any one or combination of the following activities: tramping, mountaineering, rock climbing, cross�country skiing, whitewater and/or sea kayaking, mountain biking, and sailing.

So, who can apply?

The purpose of the Expedition is to facilitate inspiring adventures for outdoor physical activities. Preference will be given to teams, but the panel may consider an outstanding individual applicant. While preference will be given to teams comprising predominantly of New Zealanders, this does not preclude applications from New Zealand teams which include other nationalities. See application criteria.

Background on SPARC

SPARC’s (Sport & Recreation New Zealand ) job is to help ensure that New Zealand is a healthy, dynamic country achieving at all levels in sport and physical recreation.

We work with individuals, schools, community clubs, sports organisations, iwi, government agencies, regional sports trusts and local authorities to create opportunities for all New Zealanders to be active and reach their potential in their chosen activities.

Sport and recreation provides significant benefits to New Zealand. Participation, sporting success and recreation achievement helps build communities and shape our national identity. Active, healthy New Zealanders use less health care and live longer.

With initiatives such as the SPARC Hillary Expedition, we hope to build on New Zealanders' desire to succeed, to be healthy and to fulfil SPARC's mission to be known as the most active nation in the world.

The SPARC Hillary Expedition Vision

The SPARC Hillary Expedition will encourage young people to see physical activity as cutting edge, inspirational, and exciting. SPARC Hillary adventurers will encourage young Kiwis to set their sights high, dream big dreams and embark on a lifetime of physical activity.

How it works

Adventurers are invited to submit applications.

A panel with representation from SPARC, the Government, the outdoor recreation sector and corporate New Zealand shortlists, then selects, the successful proposal.

SPARC will promote the adventure via curriculum material in schools, targeting intermediate�aged children to follow the Expedition's progress via the web and/or printed material.

A school visit programme by the Expedition winner(s) and SPARC recreation facilitators will be undertaken following completion of the adventure.

The Selection Panel will view favorably proposals that include at least one activity that can be replicated (albeit at a lower level) by young people who are following the Expedition’s progress.

Please note: By applying you agree that SPARC may, if required, profile your entry in the media for the purposes of promoting the Expedition. Shortlisted applications will be subject to a rigorous peer review and risk management assessment to ensure best-practice and safety standards will be met.

Application criteria

Preference will be given to teams, but the panel may consider an outstanding individual applicant.

Preference will be given to teams comprising predominantly of New Zealanders. However, this does not preclude applications from New Zealand teams that include other nationalities.

The Expedition may be undertaken anywhere in the world.

The inaugural 2003 SPARC Hillary Expedition must be carried out between May and October inclusive. Only those individuals or teams who satisfy the SPARC Hillary Expedition Selection Panel of their capability in planning and executing the adventure successfully will be considered for funding.

The successful applicant will be contracted by SPARC to participate in a school visits programme following completion of the Expedition. Ten percent of the grant will be retained by SPARC until this programme is completed.

The proposed adventure must allow the individual or team participating to liase regularly via web�based communications, i.e. filing regular stories and images from the Expedition onto the SPARC website. Daily, where it is possible, satellite communications must feature in the Expedition's planning and execution.

Funding is not available for competitive events.

The successful applicant must insure, where possible, their Expedition for expedition insurance cover.

The successful applicant will be contracted to complete the Expedition to the best of their ability within the timeframe and objectives agreed to by the applicant and SPARC.

Neither SPARC nor any agent acting on behalf of SPARC will be held responsible for any accident, financial or emotional harm (including death) that the successful applicant or their support crew or any other party involved in the Expedition may experience as a result of involvement in the Expedition.

SPARC will not reimburse applicants for any costs involved in preparing their application(s).

Successful applicants must ensure that there is no conflict of interest between the SPARC Hillary Expedition key sponsors (once confirmed) and their own sponsors. It is the responsibility of the successful applicant to negotiate agreements with existing sponsors prior to the Expedition to ensure no conflict of interest occurs. It is the responsibility of the successful applicant to advise SPARC of any potential conflict. If the sponsoring parties cannot resolve the conflict, SPARC reserves the right to withdraw support for the successful applicant and all sponsorship support (financial or otherwise) must be returned to SPARC within 10 working days of termination.

Successful applicants must agree to allow SPARC and supporting sponsors to promote their support of the Expedition using images and/or copy produced by the successful applicant in the lead up to, execution of, and post�expedition promotion(s).

Applications will be called for in a two�stage process (see below for details). No correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful applicants and the Selection Panel's decision will be final.

Successful applicants and their team members agree to act in an appropriate manner, acknowledging the significance of their duty as role models and adventure representatives for New Zealand.

One or more members of the expedition team agree to undertake a school visit programme following completion of the adventure. Details of this will be arranged in consultation with the successful team.

So, how do I apply?

Applications will be processed in two stages as follows. _____________________________________________________

Stage One

Applicants must submit six typed copies of an outline of their Expedition to SPARC at: SPARC Hillary Expedition Project Team, PO Box 2251, Level 4, 78 Victoria St, Wellington, by

5PM, FRIDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2002

which addresses the following:

The Expedition objective(s).

An Expedition outline � where, when, how long.

150 words (maximum) summary of why you or your team should be funded.

Team members (including support crew) with contact details (contact addresses and telephone numbers.

Details of team members' previous relevant experience, including communications, photography and technological skills.

A preliminary estimate of costs.

Agreement of all team members to all the terms and conditions outlined herein.

References for SPARC to contact (please include daytime contact numbers). The name and full contract details of one team contact person for SPARC to liase with.

Please note that Stage One applications must be typed and be no longer than 10 A4 single�sided pages. Applications exceeding this guideline will not be considered for shortlisting.

From these entries, the SPARC Hillary Expedition Panel will shortlist applicants.

THIS WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS.

Stage Two

All applicants will be advised in writing whether they have been shortlisted. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit a full expedition plan including:

Detailed responses to the Stage One criteria.

Detailed logistical plan (gear/food/safety/transportation needs etc).

Detailed budgets for all aspects of the Expedition.

A communications plan outlining how the applicant would work with SPARC in promoting and sharing the Expedition with participating schools.

Experience in communications type activity and ability to successfully communicate with sponsors, schools, news media and others whether in person or via web�based platforms.

How the applicant will treat and minimise environmental impacts on the place in which the Expedition takes place.

Any cultural issues relevant to the expedition that SPARC and the Selection Panel should be aware of and how they will be addressed.

A list of all existing sponsors (if any).

Agreement for SPARC to peer-review the proposal to confirm that best-practice safety measures have been implemented.

Any other relevant details.

The Selection Panel may then request a brief presentation from key team members.

Please note: the successful proposal will not necessarily be accepted in total. Changes may be negotiated prior to final signoff by the Physical Recreation Subcommittee of SPARC or on the advice of peer reviewers.

Full Expedition plans must be received by SPARC at: SPARC Hillary Expedition Project Team, PO Box 2251, Level 4, 78 Victoria St, Wellington, no later than

5pm, MONDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 2003.

All applicants will be advised directly in writing of the panel’s decision, and no further correspondence will be entered into with unsuccessful applicants.

Please note also that entries not necessarily be returned to applicants. Applications not returned will be disposed of securely.

Good luck!

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