MTB National Performance Hub

Presentation to the Rotorua Lakes Council

July 2016

The MTB National Performance Hub: WHY

A large number of cyclists leave school with no pathway to elite sport until they are chosen (or not) to represent New Zealand. The MTB National Performance Hub will fill that gap, making it the only one of its kind in New Zealand.

A programme with national reach and value, regional impact and local benefit.

The Hub will create a game-changing impact on the success of New Zealand MTB cycling. It gives talented young riders in our community a pathway to reach their potential at elite level.

The MTB National Performance Hub: WHAT

• The most prestigious Cycling New Zealand programme outside of High Performance.

• An exciting development and performance culture that athletes and coaches will strive to be part of.

It replicates a proven model that Rowing NZ has used to become arguably the most successful high performance programme in the world.

It will also serve as a training base for New Zealand’s elite MTB riders and coaches.

The MTB National Performance Hub: WHAT

The Hub will have a semi-professional team environment with a dedicated coaching team, bike equipment, performance support resources (i.e. gym, physio, nutrition etc) apparel, travel to events and race entry fees.

It will prepare athletes for competitions like World Championships, Olympic Games as well as getting into professional teams.

It will also improve athlete performance by the time they make elite teams.

The MTB National Performance Hub: WHO

The most talented young athletes in MTB and Downhill will be invited by Cycling New Zealand into the MTB Hub. Riders will be from around NZ and will come to Rotorua to live and or attend camps.

There will be up to 20 riders per hub (only the riders that meet Cycling New Zealand’s selection criteria will be invited) and these will be a mixture of male and female aged 16 - 23 years.

An additional 50 riders from all around NZ will come for as many as eight one-week camps a year.

The MTB National Performance Hub: ROTORUA

A mountain biking Mecca in New Zealand, with a growing reputation amongst international athletes.

World-leading infrastructure making it an incredible environment for MTB enthusiasts and athletes alike.

The MTB National Performance Hub: ROTORUA

A strong regional growth strategy centred on MTB, tourism/culture.

An exciting opportunity to complement all the amazing existing MTB events and infrastructure with an international-level MTB development programme to stamp Rotorua’s mark on the country as the MTB place to be.

The MTB National Performance Hub: In the Rotorua Community

World class coaching resource in partnership with HPSNZ, Sport NZ and UCI will lead the programme for these athletes in Rotorua – local Sam Thompson already appointed as lead coach.

‘Coaches Coaching Coaches’ - MTB Hub coaches will share their expertise and skill with other local coaches, enhancing MTB coaching capability and depth in Rotorua from the grassroots up.

Rotorua MTB centre will be well-known and integrated into the community, with community and sponsor engagement opportunities, minimum four per year.

The MTB National Performance Hub: Our Partners

Official Tertiary Sponsor: Waiariki Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (WBoPP)

• New courses and opportunities stemming from this partnership

• The Hub will be based at Waiariki, with camps accommodated at the Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park

• WBoPP providing support to the programme – athlete testing and monitoring as well as gym facilities

Other partnerships to be developed – Cycling New Zealand is open to establishing working relationships with Council and community partners, including iwi with initial discussions underway.

The MTB National Performance Hub: Potential wider impact in Rotorua

The MTB National Performance Hub will support the success of Rotorua’s Mountain Bike strategy.

Alongside existing infrastructure and events, it will attract and develop the best athletes and coaches, create leverage opportunities for Hub partners and support economic benefits for the region.

Opportunity to recognise the Rotorua Lakes Council on the National MTB Performance Hub website, and mutually agreed content in MTB-related electronic direct mail and newsletters.

Growing the depth of NZ’s MTB talent in Rotorua will:

• increase our ability to leverage major events such as Crankworx (greater sponsor interest, more Kiwi athletes to profile)

• contribute to a scene that attracts more high-profile athletes to Rotorua, along with their followers (i.e. Instagram, sponsor content), profiling the region internationally

• strengthen Rotorua’s pulling power with other large scale MTB events, bringing economic benefits such as visitor spending and bed nights

The MTB National Performance Hub: Potential wider impact in Rotorua

Potential exists for a new U23 MTB event based in Rotorua with a focus on skills, something not currently available in New Zealand.

Cycling New Zealand’s investment in Cambridge, via the Avantidrome, has helped put the town on the map as the ‘Home of Cycling’ in New Zealand.

Rotorua’s reputation as the home of MTB in New Zealand will be further strengthened by the MTB National Performance Hub.

The MTB National Performance Hub: Potential wider impact in Rotorua