Strong Canterbury representation in national sports awards

15 March, 2012

Strong Canterbury representation in national sports awards

The finalists for the national Sport and Recreation Sector Awards have been announced with three from the Canterbury region, including the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, held in Christchurch shortly before the 22 February earthquake.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says this reinforces that Christchurch was the ideal venue for the 2011 IPC Athletic World Championships.

“It was an incredibly successful event for both our city and Paralympics New Zealand – and I am proud to see it being recognised at these awards.”

The Christchurch City Council was heavily involved in the running of the world championships and these athletes were the first to use a new training track at Christchurch’s QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centre before it was damaged in the February earthquake.

The event attracted thousands of overseas visitors and generated an economic impact of more than $15 million to the city.

“I am also grateful to those at Sport Canterbury who are up for two awards this year and all the people who are committed to ensuring Canterbury remains a top sporting and recreation region,” says Mr Parker.

The three Canterbury finalists and their respective categories are as follows:
• Paralympics New Zealand for the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in the Event Excellence category
• Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust for its Earthquake Recovery Communications Strategy in the Communication Excellence category
• Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust for the Cheapskates Skate Skool in the Innovation Excellence category.

The finalists were chosen by a panel, including: Sir Wilson Whineray (Chair), Sir John Wells, Sue McGregor, Peter Dale, Selwyn Maister and Peter Miskimmin.

Winners will be announced on 30 April 2012 at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards Dinner in Rotorua.

For more information about the awards visit: www.sportrecawards.org.nz.

ENDS

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