Snow Sports New Zealand is thrilled to announce their successful Strengthen and Adapt project application. The successful funding of their Maunga Wāhine project by Sport NZ will allow Snow Sports NZ to implement their Women and Girls strategy.
This funding will allow Snow Sports NZ to collaborate with clubs and resorts in the Competitive Pathway space, an area that they have not received direct funding for in the past.
Nic Cavanagh, Snow Sports NZ CEO explained; “Critical to the project’s success will be working with young women and girls to target initiatives that will provide a better performance environment and an environment that fosters a lifelong love of snow sports, built on fun and belonging.”
Cavanagh discussed how Snow Sports NZ has been working on their Strengthen and Adapt project for the last six months, undertaking an in-depth consultation and discovery phase with key stakeholders. The result of this consultation was a singular issue that has risen to the forefront which has become the basis for Snow Sports NZ’s Women and Girls Strategy:
There is no specific focus or development for female athletes, coaches and leaders in the competitive pathway to ensure they have the highest quality experience and environment to train and perform in, enhanced performance progression and a lifelong love of snow sports.
“The impact and importance of building on current initiatives in snow sports for females is undeniable. This strengthen and adapt project will be a game changer in increasing opportunities and enable accelerated benefits to women, girls and the snow sports community that come from increasing the quality and collaboration of current and new programmes and tools within the snow sports competitive pathway and the wider community.” – Cavanagh
The Sport New Zealand Strengthen and Adapt programme is a unique and significant opportunity to assist national bodies to ensure they are best positioned to meet the needs of participants and athletes into the future.
Luciana Garcia, Sport NZ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, explained how the decision by Snow Sports NZ to implement a Women and Girls Strategy, Maunga Wāhine, presents a great opportunity for the organisation and its community.
“It is such an exciting time for women and girls in sport throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and Sport NZ commends Snow Sports NZ for their commitment to improving and enhancing the opportunities and experiences for women and girls in the snow sports environment. It is so important that women and girls have equitable opportunities to pursue their dreams, whether it be as athletes, coaches or leaders, and we look forward to seeing what the snow sports community can achieve with this project.” – Garcia.
For Snow Sports NZ this will be an ongoing project over the next three years. The scope and targets of the project are being developed in conjunction with the women and girls in the snow sports community.
Snow Sports NZ is excited to see where this project leads and how it can elevate, support and champion the incredible women and girls in snow sports nationwide.
14 months ago