Olympic Sport Scholarship Boosted with ‘Beijing 2008’ Experience

Applications for the 2007 Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Olympic Sports are Now Open

Air New Zealand is delighted to announce that applications for the 2007 Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Olympic Sports are open. Now in its third year, the year long scholarship will help set another ten outstanding young sportspeople from around the country on the path to Olympic success with the full weight of five Gold and two Silvers medals, 10 World Championships and a MBE behind them.

The scholarship recipients will receive a year’s worth of mentoring, support and advice to help achieve their Olympic goal from New Zealand’s highest echelon of sporting achievers; triathletes Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty, cyclist Sarah Ulmer, skier Claudia Riegler, and windsurfer Barbara Kendall.

The 2007 scholarship recipients will also accompany Olympic Gold medallist, Hamish Carter, on a trip to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, gaining rare and invaluable insight into an event which offers the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

In addition to the Beijing trip and the individual mentoring sessions, recipients will receive flights and accommodation to attend a mentoring workshop, monthly communication with their mentors, and one return economy class trip on Air New Zealand to any Air New Zealand destination to compete at an international event. And all recipients will benefit from an Air New Zealand Gold Airpoints membership for one year, which includes increased baggage allowance and priority check-in.

Former New Zealand Olympic representative and Air New Zealand General Manager Airline Operations and Planning, and former New Zealand Olympic representative, Glen Sowry, says that Air New Zealand is delighted to be extending its support for the next generation of medallists.

“The opportunity to be mentored by one of these outstanding New Zealand Olympic medallists is of enormous value to any aspiring athlete. The experience and knowledge that is passed on will provide a real springboard towards representing New Zealand with distinction at the Olympic or Commonwealth Games,” says Mr Sowry.

To date, 18 young Inspiring New Zealanders Olympic Sports Scholarship winners have benefited from the invaluable advice from mentors especially on subjects such as how to manage the psychological pressure associated with performing at an elite level, and how to improve motivation, drive and mental focus.

The scholarship is open to New Zealand residents or passport holders, who haven’t yet represented New Zealand at a Commonwealth or Olympic Games. They must be amongst the best in their age-group in New Zealand in an individual Olympic sport, must be a member of a New Zealand National Sports Organisation and either a member of a national development squad or have achieved national honours in your sport, or equivalent.

Aspiring applicants for the Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship in Olympic Sports can apply online at www.inspiringnewzealanders.com. Applications must be received by 5pm on the 1st of November 2007. The successful scholarship recipients will be announced late November 2007.

The Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders Scholarship programme also includes scholarships in Film, Fashion and Wine. For more information, please visit www.inspiringnewzealanders.com



ENDS

About Barbara Kendall.

Barbara Kendall MBE is one of New Zealand's favourite sporting personalities. Barbara has won Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medals and is also four times World Champion and the holder of the New Zealand Women's National championship title since 1985. Barbara has recently qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which will be her fifth Olympic Games.

About Sarah Ulmer.

Sarah Ulmer has been cycling professionally for 13 years. During that time she has been the dominant force in women’s Individual Pursuit racing. She has competed at three Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games, and holds the world record for the 3000 metre Individual Pursuit.

About Hamish Carter.

Hamish Carter competed as a professional triathlete for more than ten years, and over that time proved he could consistently remain at the top of his sport.

He has competed at two Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, won an Olympic Gold Medal, been ranked number One in the world for four consecutive years, as well as being named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year. In March 2007 Hamish announced his retirement from professional competition and is now Relationships Manager for Xero.

About Bevan Docherty.

Competing on the professional triathlon circuit for almost 12 years, 30 year old Bevan Docherty has earned the reputation of “Mr Consistency” for his ability to produce great results. Currently New Zealand’s top triathlete, he has both Olympic and Commonwealth Games Silver Medals, six ITU World Cup race wins and is currently ranked 3rd on the ITU World rankings. Bevan has recently qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

About Claudia Riegler.

Claudia Riegler spent 10 years on the international World Cup circuit skiing slalom. In that time she represented New Zealand at three Olympic Winter Games, five World Championships, and was ranked 2nd overall in the 1996/7 World Cup Slalom Standings, the highest ranking ever for a New Zealander. Claudia was the team attaché for the New Zealand Olympic team at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics; she currently runs her own European based marketing and PR consultancy and works in an exclusive coaching role for Snowvision during the New Zealand winters.

About the Air New Zealand Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship programme

Developed and managed by Air New Zealand, Inspiring New Zealanders is a scholarship programme in which “inspiring” New Zealanders, who have attained the highest level of achievement in their chosen field, provide mentoring, inspiration and guidance to the next generation of talented New Zealanders.

The first scholarships launched in September 2005 in Olympic Sports. In July 2006, the programme was expanded to include the Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship in Fashion and, in December 2006, the Inspiring New Zealanders scholarship in Wine for apprentice winemakers was added to the programme. In September 2007, the Inspiring New Zealanders programme was expanded to include the scholarship in Film.

For more information, please visit www.inspiringnewzealanders.com