Waikato-based electricity generator Mighty River Power today announced that it will extend its sponsorship of Rowing New Zealand’s High Performance Academy based at Lake Karapiro for a further two years.
The academy, established last year, provides an opportunity for talented young rowers to train alongside the New Zealand’s leading rowers and coaches.
Rowing’s High Performance Commissioner Barrie Mabbott is excited about the contribution Mighty River Power’s ongoing sponsorship will make.
“It’s already making a difference with three academy graduates having won promotion to the elite ranks. Paula Twining is a very good example of what is possible,” he said.
Cambridge’s Twining was a member of the Women’s Quadruple sculls that finished a close second to Germany – the Olympic Champions - in this year’s World Championships in Switzerland.
In making the announcement, Mighty River Power’s Chief Executive Doug Heffernan praised the ongoing success of rowing and the part the Waikato has played in that.
“Rowing is one of the most demanding of sports, requiring dedication and an unremitting commitment to excellence. Successively our rowers have demonstrated that they are amongst the best in the world and it is their inspiration and leadership that we as a company find so compelling and are so proud to support.
“Rowing and the Waikato are synonymous. Lake Karapiro is one of the world’s finest rowing venues and Hamilton, Cambridge and the Waikato rowing clubs are amongst the country’s strongest,” he said.