SPARC to analyse New Zealand’s Games performance

27 March 2006

SPARC to analyse New Zealand’s Games performance

With last night’s close of the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) today announced that it will begin its usual post-Games debrief process to analyse the performance of teams and individuals prior to and during the games, factors that assisted or detracted from those performances, and what can be improved upon for future competition.

The debrief will be conducted throughout April and May and will include input from coaches and high performance directors from both CWG and non-CWG sports. The findings of the debrief and associated recommendations will be considered by SPARC’s Board in June 2006.

Issues identified during the CWG debrief will also help guide SPARC’s support for sports in the lead up to Beijing. Many of New Zealand’s sports that have the potential to win medals at the Beijing Olympics are not part of the CWG programme, including canoeing, equestrian, rowing and sailing.

Results over the past 12 months show that New Zealanders are performing well in these sports internationally.

“New Zealanders believe winning in international events is important,” said SPARC Chief Executive Nick Hill. “It offers social, economic and health benefits. Winning in international events helps create a strong sense of national identity, pride and social cohesion. It creates a healthy image for marketing New Zealand goods, services and experiences abroad and it helps attract high profile sports events to New Zealand and the associated economic gains.”

“Perhaps more importantly, it encourages New Zealanders to be active,” added Hill. The New Zealand government recognises the public good value in these outcomes and invests in a high performance program as a means to achieve them.”

Hill added that SPARC invests in high performance sport for a reason and recipients of funding are accountable for performance.

“Setting medal targets is one form of accountability established between the National Sport Organisations and SPARC.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media