Snow Sports New Zealand Announces Patrons Programme
15/07/2010 9:46:25 a.m.

 

Charitable Trust Established to Support Snow Sports Athletes at All Levels

WANAKA, New Zealand – 14 July 2010 – Snow Sports New Zealand today formally announced its ‘Patrons & Friends of Snow Sports’ programme, through which individuals and businesses can make charitable contributions to support aspiring snow sports athletes.

A charitable trust has been established that provides the means for donors to earmark tax-deductible contributions to support a capital fund for long-term financial support for sport and athlete development across all snow sports.

Snow Sports New Zealand CEO Ross Palmer said the programme is modeled after similar trusts and foundations established by national associations in other ski and snowboard nations. Palmer said the goal is to raise $1 million before the start of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
“The idea is to build a sustainable capital base that generates income to support snow sports athletes, as well as programmes that assist aspiring skiers and snowboarders to reach their potential on the world stage,” said Palmer.  “It’s a priority for me and for the Board of Snow Sports New Zealand to diversify our funding streams and to provide a mechanism for supporters of snow sports to contribute to the success of our teams.”

Contributors to the Patrons & Friends of Snow Sports programme will have several options for contributing, all of which are detailed on the Snow Sports New Zealand website (www.snowsports.co.nz).

“A number of significant contributions have already been pledged,” said Palmer, who first unveiled the programme at the Snow Sports New Zealand Annual Awards dinner in Queenstown late last month. “We’re thrilled with the initial response and look forward to spreading the word to potential snow sports supporters nationwide.”

Snow Sports New Zealand is the officially recognised National Sporting Organisation that represents adaptive snow sports, alpine skiing, snowboarding, freeskiing, and cross country.