Elite kayaker Scott Bicknell’s dreams of representing New Zealand at the next Olympics in London have just gained momentum with the announcement of a new funding partner.
Bicknell is aiming for a spot in the K2 1000m double kayak team and he’s been announced as the first elite athlete funding recipient of the Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust.
The Trust will give Bicknell $15,000 over the next three years, a financial contribution Bicknell says lightens the financial strain that comes from competing on the world stage.
“I’m based in Auckland and I regularly compete overseas, so there’s quite a lot of money that’s required to compete at the top level.
“The funds have come at the perfect time, as I begin a new season and face the need to replace and experiment new pieces of equipment. I am extremely grateful for the support and opportunity the Trust has provided me and look forward to a very promising career within the sport alongside the Trust. I’ve just ordered a new boat from Europe and that costs $5,400 so it’s not a cheap sport,” Bicknell said.
Bicknell is part of the New Zealand team training for the Olympics.
While qualification for the Olympics is not until the World Championships in 2011, over the next two years he will look to cement his place in the K2 1000m team event as 2008 Olympians Mike Walker, Ben Fouhy and Steven Ferguson also look to retain their own positions.
“I have a huge amount of work ahead of me but a medal in the Olympics is a very realistic goal.”
Recent changes in the 2012 Olympic structure have also worked in Bicknell’s favour. A new 200m K1 event has been introduced which is one of Bicknell’s strongest events.
Bicknell has recently returned from the World Championships in Halifax, Canada, being placed eighth in the K2 1000m event.
He is based in Auckland and is studying at Massey University and aims to have a career in Town Planning but also has an interest in politics.
Jarrod Cunningham Youth Sport Trust chairman Tony Maidens said Bicknell was an up and coming elite athlete that deserved more financial support.
“He’s done the hard yards by himself with little funding and we hope the support of the Trust can assist him in fulfilling his dream of competing at the Olympics.
“Scott is the first recipient of elite funding and he ticked all the boxes in regards to performance on the water and also his professional approach off the water,” Maidens said.
The Trust will make further announcements on elite funding support based on the criteria of competing on the international sports stage.
