Peter Snell Institute - Success Breeds Success

27 April 2006

Peter Snell Institute - Success Breeds Success

In its fifth year of assisting athletes, coaches and identifying talent the persistence of the Peter Snell Institute is paying off. A total of 19 of the Institute’s scholarship recipients represented New Zealand at the recent Commonwealth Games, six of them winning medals including Valerie Vili and Nick Willis. Currently there are 165 athletes’ scholarships for a wide variety of sports gaining some financial support with their training and coaching. Many other athletes are being considered on a monthly basis.

"Successful sports people have always been revered and served as role models. They can often be seen as the personification of their nation or a team and in turn motivate or inspire individuals to participate in physical activity," says Colin Kay, Chairman Peter Snell Institute.

"The Peter Snell Institute was extremely happy with the 19 scholarship athletes who represented New Zealand at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Their efforts to firstly make the Commonwealth Games and then compete with distinction are to be commended," he says.

While its the high profile performers who are recognised by the public the Peter Snell Institute isn't just about high performance athletes. It is undertaking plans for around 40,000 students to have the opportunity to be tested at the first stage of talent id within schools.

The Peter Snell Institute of Sport Talent Search Programme is a talent detection, identification and development programme. The initial goal of Talent Search is to increase the level of participation in sport. From an increased pool of participants there will be a greater chance for potential talent to be recognised. “There’s a wealth of talent to be discovered from Cape Reinga to the deep south but it's a matter of having a structured approach and utilizing our resources properly," says Ken Lynch, Talent Search Director.

The Talent Search Programme is modelled on the highly successful Programme implemented by the Australian Institute of Sport nine years ago. It is about empowering talented individuals with the knowledge about their potential - giving them the opportunity to open the door to sporting excellence.

The 19 Commonwealth Games athletes who are Peter Snell Institute scholarship recipients -Vali Vili (athletics), Brent Newdick (athletics), James Dolphin (athletics), Nick Willis (athletics), Tim Gudsell (cycling), Michelle Hyland (cycling), Peter Latham (cycling), Paddy Walker (cycling), Clinton Avery (cycling), Georgia Cervin (gymnastics), Olivia Jobsis (gymnastics), Misha Koudinov (gymnastics), Melissa Logan (gymnastics), Sarah Miller (gymnastics), Patrick Peng (gymnastics), Lauren Boyle (swimming), Melissa Ingram (swimming), Glenn Snyders (swimming), Corney Swanepoel (swimming).

ENDS

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