Kiwi Olympians launch scheme to get more athletes on the world stage

A group of New Zealand Olympians has launched a scheme to help emerging athletes meet the costs of competing internationally.

The initiative targets the gap that sits between talent identification and full national funding, where athletes often have to self-fund travel, accommodation and entry fees to reach the events that determine selection.

The founders described their own experience of that period as the point where many capable athletes quietly drop out, not because of ability but because the costs are unmanageable alongside study or work.

Support will be distributed as targeted grants for specific competition campaigns rather than as general funding, with the aim of making a small amount of money decisive at the right moment.