High Performance Funding for SNZ Announced

Swimming New Zealand believes it has been treated fairly and appropriately by High Performance Sport New Zealand’s $1.4 million investment for 2013 announced today.

With some minor adjustments to plans and an achievable level of funding from new sources, the sport will be able to undertake its planned high performance programme for 2013, according to the new Swimming New Zealand chair, Dr Brent Layton.

The programme has been developed in cooperation with the sport’s current three High Performance coaches and after consultation with its new High Performance Director, Luis Villanueva who will take up his position next month.

The 2013 programme provides for appropriate support to Swimming New Zealand’s world class athletes like Lauren Boyle, Glenn Snyders, Gareth Kean and Matthew Stanley who are expected to lead the way towards finals and medals in Glasgow in 2014 and Rio in 2016.

It also provides for the development of up and coming swimmers who have good potential for Rio and who are strong prospects for the 2020 Olympics. The sport has a significant number of talented younger and improving swimmers who fall into this category.

“We expected the funding would be for a shorter period than four years and probably for one year. The sport has undergone significant change in the last few months with a new constitution, a new Board, a new Chair, a new High Performance Director and the search is on for a new Chief Executive.

“However, there is also quite a bit left to be achieved. Any prudent investor would want the opportunity to review progress in a year or so. That is what HPSNZ has left open to it,” Dr Layton said.

“Swimming New Zealand goes into the New Year on the back of some very encouraging results and a united team effort at the World Short Course Championships in Turkey last week. Lauren Boyle’s medals are the highlights but not the only positive outcomes from this meeting.

“There were good swims by all members of the team and the good results by Spanish swimmers currently under the direction of Swimming New Zealand’s new High Performance Director which is also very positive for our future.”