Rowing, cycling grateful for Sparc grants boost

Bike NZ and Rowing NZ have welcomed a decision by Sport and Recreation New Zealand (Sparc) to boost grants for elite athletes.

Under the new performance enhancement grants criteria, a world champion in an Olympic discipline will get $60,000, up from $40,000, and a medallist in an Olympic discipline will get $55,000, up from $35,000.

The grants have been back-dated to July 1 this year - great timing for BMX rider Sarah Walker who powered to two world championship titles in Adelaide last weekend.

"This is fantastic news to come home to," she said. "The increase in financial support is critical to my long-term goals - more world titles and ultimately the London Olympics."

Walker was fourth at the Beijing Olympics last year - a result that earned her $27,500.

BikeNZ high performance director Mark Elliott said Sparc's increases would play a key role in developing potential medallists for London.

By allowing sporting organisations a discretionary annual fund of $50,000, prospective stars could also benefit.

"The changes allow us to look at what an athlete's potential is for the future, rather than looking retrospectively at past results."

Rowing NZ's chief executive Simon Peterson also welcomed the review, which will benefit the elite squad should they perform well at next month's world championships in Poland.

- NZPA