Cash helps young sailor realise goals

Thomas Saunders is one of five athletes named by High Performance Sport New Zealand to receive a cash grant. Photo / File

Tauranga Laser sailor Thomas Saunders is one of five athletes named by High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) to receive a new grant to enhance their development.

Saunders, 23, learned to sail at the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club and finished in the top 20 at last year's Laser World Championship.

HPSNZ is backing the talented athletes with the Emerging Talent Performance Enhancement Grant (PEGs), which offers up to $10,000 to advance their development towards competing on the world's toughest stages - world championships, Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Other recipients of grants so far are rising discus star Siositina Hakeai, pole vaulter Eliza McCartney, young Nacra 17 yachting crew of Micah Wilkinson and Olivia Mackay, snowboarder Carlos Garcia Knight and cyclist Luke Mudgway.

The athletes have been identified by their national sport organisation as tracking towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Up to $400,000 a year will be paid out in grants to about 40 high potential athletes. The grants will be on top of existing investment and other support provided to those athletes.

Yachting New Zealand high performance director Jez Fanstone says the grants "provide an opportunity to positively impact our younger athletes who are actively campaigning in Olympic classes with the goal of success in Tokyo".

"It can help in many areas of their campaign including access to international competition to improve their racing skills, build consistency, and further their development as young sailors."

HPSNZ general manager performance and strategic investment Mike McGovern says the new grant helps athletes already competing on the world stage with direct financial help to better enable them to maximise their potential.

"It takes many years for athletes to develop their skills to be world's best, and the aim of the Emerging Talent grants is to provide a financial leg-up for athletes who may be 4 to 8 years from the podium but cannot commit the time to the training they need now, or are unable to attend key competitions due to financial constraints."