Wellington, New Zealand – Snow Sports New Zealand today formally announced its “Patrons & Friends of Snow Sports” program, through which individuals and businesses can make charitable contributions to support aspiring ski and snowboard athletes.nThe charitable trust provides the means for donors to earmark tax-deductible contributions to support a capital fund for long-term financial support for sport and athlete development across all snow sports.
Snow Sports New Zealand CEO Ross Palmer said the program is modeled after similar trusts and foundations established by national associations in other ski and snowboard nations. Palmer said the goal is to raise NZ$1 million before the start of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

“The idea is to build a sustainable capital base that generates income to support snow sports athletes, as well as programs that assist aspiring skiers and snowboarders to reach their potential on the world stage,” said Palmer. “It’s a priority for me and for the Board of Snow Sports New Zealand to diversify our funding streams and to provide a mechanism for supporters of snow sports to contribute to the success of our teams.”

Contributors to the Patrons & Friends of Snow Sports program will have several options for contributing, all of which are detailed on the Snow Sports New Zealand website www.snowsports.co.nz/Patrons.

“A number of significant contributions have already been pledged,” said Palmer, who first unveiled the program at the Snow Sports New Zealand Annual Awards dinner in Queenstown late last month. “We’re thrilled with the initial response and look forward to spreading the word to potential snow sports supporters nationwide.”

Snow Sports New Zealand is the officially recognized National Sporting Organisation that represents alpine skiing, snowboarding, freeskiing, cross country and Adaptive snow sports.