18 Dec 2012

High performance sports funding announced

9:06 pm on 18 December 2012

Rowing, rugby sevens and equestrian are among the big winners in the latest round of high performance sports funding announced by the Government for the next four years.

The five medals rowing won at the London Olympics has led to increase in funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand by almost $2.5 million.

Rowing will receive $18.4 million over the next four years up from $16 million.

With rugby sevens becoming an Olympic sport from 2016 in Brazil, funding for the men's team will jump from $800,000 to $4.8 million.

Equestrian gets a $4 million boost, rising from $3.2 million to $7.2 million.

Women's hockey has fared much better than its male counterparts, with the Black Sticks getting a $2 million funding increase while the men are now being funded on a campaign by campaign.

Swimming and triathlon are among the major losers.

After failing to win medals in London, both sports have been downgraded under a new tiered system.

Swimming received $6.6 million between 2009 and 2012 but will now be financed on a campaign basis with HPSNZ guaranteeing funding for only the next year of $1.4 million.

Triathlon is classified as a tier 3 sport with its funding being cut by $5,000 over the next four years.