Performance Enhancement Grants
Programme Guidelines
April 2015 (DRAFT)
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. This document outlines High Performance Sport New Zealand’s (HPSNZ) Performance
Enhancement Grants (PEGs) programme guidelines.
1.2. The PEGs programme is aligned to the HPSNZ Investment Framework and ultimately the
HPSNZ Strategic Plan.
1.3. These guidelines are effective from 1 April 2015.
2. BACKGROUND
2.1. HPSNZ Vision
More New Zealanders winning on the world stage
At Olympic/Paralympic Games and World Championships in targeted sports
2.2. TARGETS
 Summer Olympics – 14+ medals (Rio 2016), 16+ medals (Tokyo 2020)
 Summer Paralympics – 12 gold medals (Rio 2016), TBC gold medals (Tokyo 2020)
 Winter Olympics – 1 medal (PyeongChang 2018)
 Winter Olympics – 1 gold medal (PyeongChang 2018)
 Non-Olympic World Championships – Winning at world championships in invested
sports
2.3. HPSNZ Overall Investment Principles
a.
Our goal is a performance-based system that is accountable for outcomes.
b.
Resources and performance support will be allocated on a top down, targeted
basis focusing on those sports, individuals and teams that have the greatest
chance of winning medals at the next Olympic Games (gold medals for the
Paralympic Games) and beyond (multiple Olympic medals and multiple
Paralympic gold medals will be the priority).
c.
Resources and performance support for non-Olympic targeted sports will be
assessed on a case by case basis in relation to their ability to win at World
Championships.
d.
Investments will also be considered for sports that have specific campaigns and
individuals that, based on current evidence, are deemed to have medal potential.
e.
Investment will be made based on demonstrated need where it is clear that it will
improve performance of the targeted sports and athletes.
2.4. HPSNZ Overall Investment and Support Priorities
 Sports and athletes that have medal potential at the Olympic Games (Summer and
Winter).
 Non-Olympic targeted sports that can win at World Championships.
 Sports and athletes that have gold medal potential at the Paralympic Games
(Summer and Winter).
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2.5. HPSNZ Areas of Athlete Support
HPSNZ in conjunction with agreed Targeted Sports and Campaign Investment Sports
may provide identified athletes (those athletes who meet specific stipulated criteria in
each of the respective HPSNZ athlete support programmes) with access to:
 Agreed levels of athlete performance support delivered through HPSNZ, and other
agreed benefits through the Athlete Carding programme;
 Financial assistance to allow athletes to train and compete at a world level in the
way of PEGs;
 Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarship to provide support for vocational / tertiary
education.
3. AIMS OF THE PEGS PROGRAMME
The PEGs programme is to provide our targeted athletes and teams with direct financial support
to enable them to train fulltime, in order to maximise their international performances.
4. PEGS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
4.1.
PEGs are available to athletes and teams within PEGs Qualifying Sports who achieve the
agreed performance standards in PEGs Qualifying Events.
4.2.
PEGs Qualifying Sports may include:
a.
HPSNZ Targeted Sports;
b.
Olympic Sports who receive HPSNZ Campaign Investment;
c.
Other sports or athletes at the discretion of HPSNZ.
4.3.
PEGs Qualifying Events are to be agreed in advance between the PEGs Qualifying Sports
and HPSNZ, and are defined as:
a.
The highest standard of world competition in the sport i.e. World Championships
or Olympic Games within a calendar year;
b.
In specific cases, other agreed key international events within the years that do
not contain World Championships or Olympic Games.
4.4.
Teams of nine or fewer athletes that compete in sports with multiple medal
opportunities per gender will be treated as an individual sport e.g. cycling team pursuit,
swimming relay, rowing eight.
4.5.
HPSNZ will agree with team PEGs Qualifying Sports prior to PEGs Qualifying Events on
the squad size eligible to be considered for PEGs payments should they achieve the
appropriate performance standard. Additionally, team PEGs Qualifying Sports will be
required to agree their PEGs disbursement plans prior to PEGs Qualifying Events.
4.6.
As well as achieving the PEGs award level athletes/teams may also be required to
demonstrate performance progression over time as well as the achievement of agreed
targets/performance standard within the sports HP plan or IPP.
4.7.
PEGs recipients must agree and commit to the NSO HP programme requirements at the
required level (and seek agreement from HPSNZ where appropriate) to enable current
or future medal performance.
4.8.
PEGs payments will be awarded at the sole discretion of HPSNZ.
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5. PEGS ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS
5.1.
Athletes are only eligible to be assessed against one PEGs Qualifying Event per annum.
5.2.
Athletes who compete for New Zealand in more than one discipline or sport that have
PEGs Qualifying Events will only be eligible to receive one PEG being the one that
provides the athlete with the highest award.
5.3.
It is expected that individuals or teams must finish in the top half of their field at the
PEGs Qualifying Event, unless a qualification series was held to limit the field size, or at
the discretion of HPSNZ.
5.4.
The following athletes are not eligible to receive PEGs:
a.
Age group (including masters) athletes or teams;
b.
Athletes in non-Olympic events within agreed PEGs Qualifying Sports.
6. PEGS AWARD LEVELS
Athletes who comply with the PEGs Eligibility Criteria and achieve these stated perfromance
standards will be considered for the following PEGs award levels:
Sport
Olympic Individual
Olympic Team
Non-Olympic Individual
Non-Olympic Team
Performance Standard at
PEGs Qualifying Event
Gold Medallist
Medallist
th
4 to 6th Placing
7th to 8th Placing
9th to 12th Placing
Gold Medallist
Medallist
th
4 to 8th Placing
Medallist
Medallist
Award Level (before taxes)
$60,000
$55,000
$47,500
$40,000
$30,000
$35,000
$30,000
$25,000
$25,000
$25,000
Note: Clause 4.6 - As well as achieving the PEGs award level athletes/teams may also be required to
demonstrate performance progression over time as well as the achievement of agreed
targets/performance standard within the sports HP plan or IPP.
7. EXTENUATING OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
7.1.
HPSNZ may consider PEGs discretionary applications from PEGs Qualifying Sports on
behalf of athletes that do not meet the PEGs eligibility and performance criteria due to
extenuating circumstances (such as injury or illness).
7.2.
HPSNZ may also consider PEGs applications from PEGs Qualifying Sports on behalf of
athletes that the sport believes should be considered for PEGs support due to the
special nature of the athlete and/or their circumstances.
7.3.
Any PEGs granted due to extenuating or other special circumstances will be at the sole
discretion of HPSNZ
7.4.
All PEGs nominations must be approved and submitted by the relevant NSO.
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8. PEGS NOMINATING PROCESS
8.1.
Annually HPSNZ will confirm all PEGs Qualifying Sports.
8.2.
PEGs Qualifying Sports will nominate their PEGs Qualifying Events to HPSNZ for
agreement prior to the event, and ideally up to 4 years in advance.
8.3.
Nominations must be received by HPSNZ within three months of the completion of the
PEGs Qualifying Event.
8.4.
All PEGs nominations will be considered, with any contentious nominations referred to
the HPSNZ General Manager – Performance and Strategic Investment in the first
instance, with the final decision at the sole discretion of HPSNZ.
9. TENURE OF PEGS
9.1.
In most cases PEGs awards cover a 12-month period or between PEGs Qualify Events as
agreed by the NSO and HPSNZ.
9.2.
In special cases multi-year PEGs will be considered (see below).
10. MULTI-YEAR PEGS
10.1. Multi-year PEGs are to provide long term support to athletes with a history of medal
winning success on the world stage that are focussed and capable of a medal winning
performance at Olympic Games.
10.2. The guidelines for multi-year PEGs are as follows:
a.
Summer Olympic Sports specifics:
i. The duration of a multi-year PEG can be up to 4 years, but can only extend
as far as the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. The duration will be based on
agreement between the NSO and HPSNZ;
ii. For year one of the Olympic cycle (2013), recipients must have medalled at
the London Olympic Games;
iii. From year two of the Olympic cycle, recent multiple world championship
medallists (i.e. no further back than previous Olympic cycle) are also
eligible.
b.
Winter Olympic Sports specifics:
i.
Multi-year PEGs will only be considered post the 2014 Sochi Olympic
Games;
ii.
The duration of a multi-year PEG can be up to 4 years, but can only extend
as far as the PyeongChang Olympic Games in 2018. The duration will be
based on agreement between the NSO and HPSNZ;
iii.
For year one of the Olympic cycle (2015), recipients must have medalled at
the Sochi Olympic Games;
iv.
From year two of the Olympic cycle, recent multiple world championship
medallists (i.e. no further back than previous Olympic cycle) are also
eligible.
b.
Multi-year PEGs will be reviewed at a period no longer than 2 years by HPSNZ
against the objectives outlined in the athlete’s individual performance plan (IPP).
If the athlete is no longer on track to deliver a medal winning performance at the
next Olympic Games, then the multi-year PEG will be reviewed (with the potential
for the PEG to be reduced or cancelled).
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c.
d.
e.
Multi-year PEGs will be guaranteed at the level at which the PEG was earned,
however, if performance improves over the course of the PEG (e.g. from the
medallist level to the world champion level) the PEG will be increased
accordingly.
All applications for multi-year PEGs must be submitted and endorsed by the NSO
with the athlete’s IPP included in the application.
HPSNZ may consider discretionary applications for athletes with a history of
world championship or Olympic success for whom extenuating circumstances
prevented them from winning a medal at the most recent Olympics.
11. PEGS PAYMENTS TO ATHLETES
11.1. PEGs will be paid by HPSNZ to the NSO of the PEGs Qualifying Sport on a monthly basis.
11.2. NSO’s are required in most cases to pay the eligible athlete the total value of the PEGs
(less any applicable tax).
11.3. However in specific cases PEGs may be used to offset athlete allowances paid by a NSO
but only on the prior agreement of HPSNZ. Additionally, the NSO must reinvest the
amount saved as a direct result of PEGs into the NSO’s high performance programme.
11.4. NSOs cannot direct an athlete to use PEGs to offset the cost of international travel or
competition where these costs should be met by the NSO.
12. PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
12.1. HPSNZ will work with Paralympics NZ to ascertain appropriate athletes to be targeted for
gold medal performances at the Paralympics Games.
12.2. HPSNZ will provide Paralympics NZ with a bulk PEGs amount annually, from which
Paralympics NZ will be responsible for distributing to their targeted athletes in the most
appropriate way maximise performance outcomes at the Paralympics Games.
12.3. Multi-year PEGs may be considered for Paralympic athletes and will be at the discretion
of Paralympics New Zealand.
13. NSO REQUIREMENTS
13.1. NSOs from PEGs Qualifying Sports are required to:
a.
Collate and endorse all PEGs applications and forward these nominations to
HPSNZ;
b.
Notify successful and unsuccessful applicants within 10 working days of receiving
notification from HPSNZ;
c.
Have their PEGs athletes on an appropriate sport specific athlete agreement;
d.
Formally notify the tax implications of PEGs to each athlete;
e.
Ensure PEGs recipients have in place an individual performance plan (IPP), and
ensure that the athlete’s coach and any other relevant support personnel have
contributed to the development of the IPP. The IPP should include all objectives
and key performance milestones to deliver the medal winning performance;
f.
To ensure the level of commitment from the athlete, their coach and support
personnel is sufficient to achieve the athlete’s performance goals;
g.
To ensure the strategies in the IPP will assist the athlete to achieve their
performance goals;
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h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
Appropriately monitor their PEGs recipients in line with their IPPs;
NSOs are required to distribute PEGs to their athletes as set out in this document;
Notify HPSNZ if, in their opinion, an athlete deviates from the strategy outlined in
their IPP to the point where the athlete’s performance goal might be
compromised;
Ensure HPSNZ is kept informed of their PEGs athletes’ updated contact details;
Ensure all PEGs athletes have completed all Drug Free Sport New Zealand
education and compliance requirements.
14. ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES
14.1. Athletes are required to:
a.
Agree to and commit to their IPP;
b.
To work with the NSO to negotiate and agree an appropriate athlete agreement;
c.
Inform their NSO when they believe they are not in a position to keep to their
agreed IPP;
d.
Undertake all necessary Drug Free Sport New Zealand education and compliance
requirements;
e.
Comply with all the athlete codes of conduct that may be in place within their
sport, HPSNZ and any Drug Free Sport New Zealand and WADA codes of conduct.
14.2. PEGs recipients are required to attend up to two events, publicity campaigns or corporate
promotions as and when requested by HPSNZ (subject to reasonable notice being given
of any pre-existing commitments). The costs of attendance at such functions will be met
by HPSNZ. HPSNZ will ensure that any promotional appearances do not conflict with
individual or NSO sponsorship engagements.
14.3. PEGs recipients are encouraged to publicly acknowledge PEGs when asked about the
financial support they receive.
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