Meridian continues to invest in the future of South Island rowing

Meridian is proud to announce a three-year renewal of its sponsorship agreement with South Island Rowing.John Wylie, South Island Rowing¼s Regional Manager in Canterbury, says he is absolutelydelighted with the news

.“The continuance of international success by New Zealand rowers is to a large degree dependent on the support given to the developmental processes for our rowers,” he says.

Meridian has sponsored South Island Rowing for ten years, including support for the high performance squad RPC South The Ratas since 2006.Rowing in the South Island has had a long association with the electricity industry.

Lake Ruataniwha incorporated an international specification regatta course during its construction and Meridian¼s predecessors Electricorp and ECNZ also sponsored rowing.Mel Seyfort, Meridian¼s Sponsorship Manager, says the three-year sponsorship agreementis a real demonstration of Meridian¼s continued commitment to, and support for rowing.

“Meridian¼s partnership has been one based on youth, excellence and education. It is greatto see the outstanding results of our rowers on the international stage and know that our sponsorship has helped a number of athletes achieve their goals.“

It¼s hard to think of rowing in the South Island without thinking of Twizel, where many ofMeridian¼s generation assets are, as well as a number of our staff. We really enjoy seeingthe Twizel population swell each summer with young rowers competing on our hydro-storage lakes.

“The three-year sponsorship agreement helps provide certainty for South Island Rowing,” she says.

John Wylie says Meridian¼s sponsorship is integral in ensuring rowers can continue to develop so they can perform at the highest level. Without this support, our rowers wouldn¼tbe continually winning world titles at every level.”

“The maintenance of the rowing pathway is only made possible by support from Meridian,” he says.“The support helps our rowers reach their potential. The international standards are alwaysgoing up, so we need to make sure our developmental processes keep pace and indeed have an edge on the rest of the world.”

He says an early identification of Avonside Girls¼ High School student Emma Feathery and her subsequent development is the perfect example of what can be achieved, thanks to Meridian¼s sponsorship of rowing in the South Island.“

Back in 2000 Emma was racing in school regattas. Her talent was recognised and she became part of our development programme. Nine years later she¼s racing at the elite level and winning World Cup races. Without Meridian¼s support at the developmental level,Emma would not be at the top of world competition.”

Meridian¼s sponsorship also helps to support major regattas held on Lake Ruantaniwha over the summer, the Rata Performance Centre, as well as rower development in the South Island