SPARC invests $600,000 into NZ’s top coaches

Media Release

10 March 2008

SPARC invests $600,000 into NZ’s top coaches

SPARC has invested over $600,000 into some of New Zealand’s top coaches through Coach Performance Enhancement Grants (CPEGs) – almost twice the amount invested in this programme during 2007.

CPEGs are financial grants to assist coaches to become more successful by improving the quantity and quality of time available to coach. All coaches carded through the New Zealand Academy of Sport were able to apply for a grant.

``We want to give coaches the support they need so they can get the best from their athletes, and CPEGs are a great way for us to assist high performance coaches,’’ said SPARC’s General Manager of Sector Development Peter Miskimmin.

``Many of the CPEG recipients were part time coaches with regular jobs who had to give up their personal time to coach athletes. Balancing both roles can be pretty challenging, so these grants allow us to purchase more of a coach’s time (off employers) which ultimately gives their athletes more chance of success.’’

One of the CPEG recipients is multiple Olympic gold medallist Paul MacDonald who coaches Athens silver medallist kayaker Ben Fouhy.

``I came back from holiday wanting to concentrate on coaching this year. I’ve been asking the young fellow to put everything into the sport and I felt I should do the same. I gave up my job. I was hoping to get one of these grants. It has been a bit of gamble but a huge bonus that I can now concentrate fully on coaching,’’ said MacDonald.

Jo Aleh is currently ranked first in the world on the ISAF Laser Radial World Rankings and her coach Peter Fox is another 2008 CPEGs recipient.

``Being a recipient is just fantastic. It’s a great opportunity. It allows you to do more for your athletes and it’s just a good feeling knowing you’re being supported.’’

Other CPEG recipients include athletics coach John Bowden, triathlon coach John Hellemans, and various coaches from Paralympics.

SPARC also supports high performance coaches through Prime Minister’s Coach Scholarships and the carded coach programme. SPARC also invests $3.35 million into various initiatives, outside of high performance, that support coach development in New Zealand.

2008 SPARC CPEG Recipients
Coach Name Sport Region
John Bowden Athletics Auckland
Stephen Willis Athletics Wellington
Debbie Strange Athletics Hamilton
Mike McHugh Basketball Wellington
Craig Seuseu Beach Volleyball Auckland
Selby Marshall Bike - MTB Overseas based
Graham Bunn Bike - Track Cycling Te Awamutu
Damian Marsh Bike - Track Cycling Tauranga
Craig Palmer Bike - Track Cycling Dunedin
Mike McRedmond Bike - Track Cycling Palmerston North
Erik Duvander Equestrian Auckland
Greg Nichol Hockey Hawkes Bay
Ian Fergusson Kayak Auckland
Paul MacDonald Kayak Auckland
**Bulk Grant** Paralympics Various
Donna Bouzaid Swimming Auckland
Brendon Cameron Triathlon Hamilton
Peter Pfitzinger Triathlon Auckland
Damien Pedreschi Triathlon Auckland
Brendon Downey Triathlon Overseas based
John Ackland Triathlon Auckland
Mark Bone Triathlon Auckland
Murray Healey Triathlon Whangarei
John Hellemans Triathlon Dunedin
Mark Elliott Triathlon Wanaka
Peter Fox Yachting Auckland
Shayne Bright Yachting Auckland

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