CrossFit Phenomenon Inspires New National Sports Event

CrossFit Phenomenon Inspires New National Sports Event

New Zealand’s biggest ever CrossFit competition, which has attracted elite athletes from around the country, will be held in Tauranga this Labour Weekend (20th and 21st October) and is predicted to become a must-see sports event similar to Wellington’s Rugby Sevens.

Organisers aim to grow the Mount CrossFit National Team Competition over the next three to five years into a major occasion with a following rivalling that of the famous rugby tournament.

CrossFit is a worldwide fitness phenomenon and its popularity in New Zealand was confirmed as all 70 team entries available in this year’s Mount CrossFit National Team Competition were snapped up in just two weeks.

Reebok, Industrial Athletic, Steinlager and The Rock Radio Station are among big name sponsors who are throwing their weight behind the event, which will be held at Baypark TECT Arena, and see hundreds of men and women push themselves to their physical limits.

CrossFit combines endurance, weight-lifting, gymnastics and much more into a high intensity workout and is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. Last year there were 2100 CrossFit gyms (known as ‘boxes’) registered globally. Today, there are over 3500 – with the sport’s head office receiving up to 50 new applications a week.

The growth trend has also been at a local level, with CrossFit directors and event organisers Luke McGruer and John Templeton recently announcing the pending opening of a larger CrossFit box in Tauranga this summer, a move driven by increasing demand for their classes in the wider Bay of Plenty.

ESPN magazine recently described the international CrossFit Games as ‘the best way to spend $50 to watch sports’, and enthusiasm for this year’s Mount CrossFit National Team Competition is testament to the sport’s increasing popularity.

Tim Paton-Tapsell, of Village PR & Marketing, first approached Mount CrossFit directors, John Templeton and Luke McGruer, about the idea after the trio competed in an Australasian regional CrossFit competition earlier this year.

“There is huge demand for this competition format here in New Zealand,” Paton-Tapsell explains. “Other CrossFit competitions in New Zealand are for individuals only, so this is the only teams event of this scale. Also the timing of this competition means it will provide the perfect build-up to other national and international events.”

An inaugural teams competition was organised by Mount CrossFit last year but on a much smaller level. Team entries have more than doubled in size for 2012 and competitors will travel from all around New Zealand this Labour Weekend.

CrossFit MANA from Palmerston North will be travelling to defend its title, while New Zealand’s top ranking CrossFit athletes, many of whom have competed on an international level, will be representing their respective boxes in a bid to win the coveted trophy and $1000 prize money.

“New Zealand’s CrossFit community is already hyped about this event. Five years ago there was one box in New Zealand – now there are 48. We hope to fill the 1,000 seats available and create an electric atmosphere for what is an outstanding spectator sport,” Paton-Tapsell says.

Fierce competition is also expected among the crowd to decide the most vocal support crew and best costume, with a swag of prizes on offer.

Tourism Bay of Plenty is a sponsor and general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says the event has all the right ingredients to be a massive success.

“Mount Maunganui is the perfect destination to come for a long weekend. The new Baypark TECT Arena is an outstanding venue, and CrossFit is a brilliant spectator sport.

“With demand from the New Zealand CrossFit community for an event of this scale, it’s exciting to see it all come together. We are very proud to have this new national competition here in the Bay of Plenty,” Arrowsmith says.

Mount CrossFit is regarded as being one the best equipped ‘boxes’ in the country. Its owners – Luke McGruer and John Templeton – are both ex-New Zealand Army soldiers and among the top 10 CrossFit athletes in the country.

During the two-day event there will be an area set aside in the Baypark TECT Arena where event organisers will be testing the crowd to find the fittest spectator. Entry tickets to the Mount CrossFit National Team Competition are available at the door for just $10 per adult, $5 per child or $20 for a family pass. The Mount CrossFit Team Competition is proud to be sponsored by Reebok, Industrial Athletic, Steinlager, The Rock Radio Station, Pure Delish, Bay of Plenty Times, CornerStone Pub, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Trinity Wharf and Village Marketing and Public Relations.

About Mount CrossFit

Mount CrossFit was opened in June 2011 by ex-army soldiers Luke McGruer and John Templeton (known as JT). A comprehensive schedule of CrossFit classes is available daily at their Mount Maunganui premises. Visit www.mountcrossfit.com for class schedules, videos, details about CrossFit and trainers biographies.

ENDS

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