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Carding

The New Zealand Academy of Sport (NZAS) and national sport organisations (NSOs) work together to make sure that funding for elite sport is invested in the areas that will give the most return.

Athletes who are 'carded' are eligible for an allocation of funding and services, as determined by their national sport organisation.

What does carding achieve?

Gary McMurray contests with Curtis Palmer during a match between the NZ Wheel Blacks and an invitation side. The Academy cards athletes in order to:

  1. support individuals identified by their NSO as having the ability/potential to deliver against the SPARC High Performance mission
  2. identify athletes who can access support services delivered through the Academy Network.
How do athletes get carded?

National sport organisations are responsible for the carding of athletes in their sports.

Athletes are carded against the following criteria:

  1. Athletes whose performance focus is the next Pinnacle sporting event, as agreed between the NSO and the Academy
  2. Athletes whose performance focus is the Pinnacle Sporting Event immediately following the one above
  3. Outstanding Junior International Athletes not identified in either of the above points, where carding will enhance their potential.

Athletes other than those who meet the criteria above may be eligible for carding where the NSO can satisfy the Academy that their inclusion in the system will enhance the NSO's ability to achieve its High Performance outcomes and contribute towards SPARC achieving its High Performance mission.

What does my card give me?

Your card gives you access to your personal entitlement of support services. Each athlete has different combinations of services available to them, based on the needs of the individual and their sport. The level of support and services is determined by the national sport organisation.

You must take your card with you whenever you use services in your entitlement - such as sports medicine practitioners or Athlete Career and Education (ACE) providers.

Who do I ask about carding?

If you have any questions (eg, about your carding status or what your entitlement is), contact the High Performance Manager in your national sport organisation.

Updated | 24 Dec 2009.

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