National Party MP Aaron Gilmore is delighted that the QEII centre in Christchurch will be part of a $40 million high performance sport initiative announced today.

“The QEII will be included in a network of satellite high performance facilities throughout New Zealand which aims to make our country consistently one of the most successful sporting nations in the world,” says Mr Gilmore.

“The QEII facility is currently the centre of excellence for the South Island’s elite athletes and this initiative means our athletes will have the best resources to achieve their sporting goals.”

The Government’s funding injection includes new Budget funding of $10 million in 2010/11; $15 million in 2011/12, and $20 million annually after that.  By the 2012/13 year, total funding for high performance sport will be over $60 million annually, compared to the current annual allocation of $42 million.

The next stage of development at QEII will include an upgrade of the sports science and sports medicine facilities, a specialist high performance training hall, improved technology for real-time data capture and feedback for athletes, new artificial all-weather surface and upgraded athlete accommodation.

“Establishing a high performance culture in a hothouse environment in which our top athletes, coaches, sports scientists and other specialists can feed on each others’ achievements will make our athletes the best in the world,” says Mr Gilmore.