Today saw Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) officially kick start the fundraising drive for the New Zealand Paralympic Team on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with $1.1 million targeted by December 2019. This milestone was marked throughout the country as nearly 100 schools, workplaces and organisations decided to ‘go gold’ for the day and show their support by taking part in the annual Spirit of Gold® Mufti Day.
PNZ were also delighted to welcome back Harvey Norman, Australasia’s largest retailers of Furniture, Bedding, Computer and Electrical goods as an Official Partner through to 2020. In 2016 Harvey Norman drove an outstanding in-store fundraising campaign for PNZ
This new partnership will see Harvey Norman run small fundraising activities year-round, but also drive another major national public fundraising campaign across its 39 stores in August 2019, exactly 1 year out from Tokyo 2020, to help PNZ reach its December 2019 funding target. In addition, for the first time they will support the ‘Harvey Norman Para Sport National Development Programme’. The programme includes regional development camps, national development camps, open training camps, intro clinics, talent identification days, individualised Para athlete support, coach development and classification opportunities. This programme is critical to ensure the development of Para athletes and a strong future for Para sport in New Zealand.
The renewed partnership was made today at the inaugural camp as part of the ‘Harvey Norman Para Sport National Development Programme’ at AUT Millennium. The camp includes 17 Para athletes, 9 Para sport coaches and programme leaders representing 8 different Para sports and runs for 3 days.
Catriona McBean (Board member, PNZ) said: “In early 2020, Paralympics New Zealand will be investing into final preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Hitting our fundraising target of $1.1m by December 2019 is critical to ensuring that the New Zealand Paralympic Team is fully funded and supported to the Games, giving our Paralympians the best possible opportunity to achieve their medal potential. New Zealand is targeting 22 medals at Tokyo 2020, including 10-14 gold.“
John Hollings (General Manager, Computer and Communication Division, Harvey Norman New Zealand) said: “Following such a successful fundraising campaign for Rio in 2016, we are thrilled to be re-signing as an Official Partner to Paralympics New Zealand, in support of their journey to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The Harvey Norman family are passionate about this partnership and raising funds for New Zealand’s Para athletes. We will once again support this great initiative by tapping into our supplier connections and marketing channels to really drive awareness for Paralympics New Zealand, whilst collecting donations, selling merchandise, hosting events and other various fundraising activities, in order to achieve our fundraising target.“
He continued: “We know that success at the Paralympic Games does not happen by chance, it takes years of hard work and dedication. Through the Harvey Norman Para Sport National Development Programme we are supporting PNZ’s mission of creating more systems and programmes to increase participation in Para sport by our aspiring Paralympians.“
Nicole Murray (World Championship silver medallist, Para cyclist) said: “Camps such as the one I am part of over the next 3 days are so valuable. There is always so much to learn about Para sport and being a successful Para athlete. It is great to see Partners such as Harvey Norman getting behind Para athletes like me and the New Zealand Paralympic Team.“
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games begin just over 2 weeks following the end of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. They take place in the same location and venues, will run from 25 August – 6 September 2020. The Games are the world’s largest multi-sport event for disabled athletes; approximately 4,400 Paralympians are expected to compete in 22 Para sports.
Photo credit – Getty Images
