SportConnect, an initiative supporting high performance NZ athletes, launches at Parliament tonight in partnership with SKY Television at a function with the Minister of Sport, the Hon Murray McCully.
The SportConnect 'Supporting Talent Programme' was created by Olympic Gold Medal winner Hamish Carter. Together with his wife Marisa, an athlete in her own right, they manage this unique way of connecting sport to business through sponsorship.
The partnership with SKY Television and SportConnect links the financial support of an athlete to the relationship with a sponsor through a SKY advertising sales media pack purchased by the advertiser. As New Zealand's major sport broadcaster, SKY is passionate about New Zealand sportspeople achieving at all levels; this initiative encourages emerging talent whilst at the same time giving advertisers access to such a special opportunity.
SportConnect provides athletes with financial support and management at a crucial point in their career and introduces them to a corporate relationship with the potential to develop into a long term, sustainable sponsorship relationship. The sponsor supports a promising athlete with minimal risk and no direct financial outlay.
To join the SportConnect programme, the client commits to advertise on SKY with SKY providing funding to support the athlete for an initial period of two years. Both the client and their employees can become part of the athlete's journey to international success, with potential of continuing throughout the athlete's sporting career.
Hamish Carter said "There are so many talented athletes in New Zealand who struggle to find financial support. It is near impossible to be financially viable until they are at the top of their game, and winning on the world stage. SportConnect bridges a gap in current pathways, which will allow more athletes to become world class. This is why we created SportConnect".
John Fellet, SKY Television Chief Executive said "SportConnect is a unique way to support the next generation of New Zealand's sporting hero's which fits well with our vision of seeing more and New Zealanders winning on the world stage".
Minister of Sport, the Honourable Murray McCully along with SKY Television will launch the SportConnect initiative in the Grand Hall at Parliament House tonight.
