Paralympics New Zealand has entered into a partnership with personal injury insurance group Accident Compensation Corporation.
Signed to mark one year until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the collaboration will encourage ACC clients to try a range of suitable sports with a view to joining New Zealand’s Paralympic programme.
Paralympic New Zealand hopes to identify and support new para-athletes, with a view to increasing its talent pool for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Fiona Allen, chief executive of Paralympics New Zealand, said: “We are incredibly proud to be partnering with ACC. The synergies between our two organisations are clear, as is our joint passion for encouraging, supporting and promoting social change for the 1.1 million kiwis living with a disability in New Zealand.
“Involvement in sport has proven health and wellbeing benefits that are even more pronounced in those with a disability. Para-sport is also unique in its ability to empower individuals. That ACC has chosen to partner with us in this way truly underlines the passion, hard-work and commitment of everyone that works in the sector.”
The partnership will launch on September 7, a year out from the start of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, with Paralympics New Zealand’s Spirit of Gold Initiative. The campaign is designed to increase awareness and raise funds to support para-sport in the community and fund athletes on the road to the 2016 Games.