Rowing: Sport to get $4.5m boost

The Government's sports funding agency, Sparc, is investing $4.5 million in Rowing New Zealand's high-performance programme over the next four years.

In addition, Rowing New Zealand will be eligible to receive a further $1 million if it achieves key targets at the 2005, 2006 and 2007 world championships and the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Sparc is investing a further $1 million in rowing's talent development programme over a four-year period, aimed at identifying and producing champions.

Sparc's general manager performance, Katie Sadleir, said that the investment in rowing was in line with Sparc's long-term approach to delivering results on the world stage.

"Rowing has been a regular Olympic medal winner and was one of New Zealand's most successful sports in Athens [2004 Olympics] and we are confident that we will see a return on our investment in Beijing and beyond."

She said that setting targets and offering incentives would ensure key sports such as rowing were focused on winning more medals at future events.

Rowing New Zealand chief executive Craig Ross welcomed Sparc's involvement.

- NZPA