‘Success should lead to better promotion’

Press, 6 September 1983, Page 32

‘Success should lead to better promotion’

PA Wellington The president of the New Zealand Rowing Association, Tay Wilson, said yesterday he hoped the success of the New Zealand crews would lead to better promotional support for the sport. “We must try and capitalise on our success,” said Mr Wilson of the double gold-medal winning effort.

Mr Wilson said it had cost $87,000 to send the New Zealand teams to Duisburg, of which $30,000 came from the Ministry of Recreation and Sport. A meat company gave $12,000 for the eights.

“Money is our biggest restriction and we still owe a lot,” said Mr Wilson. “The funds just weren’t there.” He said some firms had been interested in sponsoring the coxed four, but pulled out: “It’s a golden opportunity some firms have lost. We are not asking for free money. We hope these firms will get a fair mileage in return in terms of publicity. Rowing can be a vehicle for the promotion of products.”

Mr Wilson said that the quadruple sculls and the women’s single sculler, Stephanie Foster, were others who could reach medal standard with enough backing.

He believes there is still room for improvement in New Zealand rowing, particularly when compared to the heavily supported Eastern European countries. “We haven’t really scratched the surface of what can be done in this country, specially in medical back-up and in the monitoring of preparation.” Mr Wilson thinks New Zealand will send a maximum of five crews to the Los Angeles Olympics in July next year but he would like to see more sent: “Rowing has a tradition that we don’t send people away unless there’s a good chance they will make the finals, or be among the medals.”