High Performance Programme Update

Following December's funding cut, several updates on the future direction of the High Performance programme can now be provided.

When High Performance Sport New Zealand announced a $100,000 funding reduction for squash in December last year, Squash New Zealand was forced to investigate how it could continue to operate a High Performance programme within a reduced budget. 

Following the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and prior to the funding reduction, a High Performance Advisory Panel had been convened in October 2014.  The Panel was tasked with identifying critical strategies, activities and outcomes required to achieve international success at High Performance level (within the budgetary realities of the New Zealand environment) and making recommendations to the Squash New Zealand board (click here for the full HPAP terms of reference).  

Bearing in mind the reduced level of funding available, the decision was made to restructure the role of the High Performance Coach, and to reduce the level of funding to elite athletes. This has been a difficult process to undertake, made harder by the fact that the High Performance programme already operated on a very lean budget.

As a consequence of these decisions, High Performance Coach Paul Hornsby will no longer be employed in a full time capacity as of February 22.  Fortunately, he will be engaged to provide High Performance coaching on a contracted basis. This will ensure that the operational plans for the majority of the High Performance programme will go ahead with little or no change in 2015.  It is particularly pleasing to be able to ensure that the important domain of junior national squad activity will continue untouched.  

The other consequence of these decisions is a reduction in the amount of funding available to professional players - in proportion with the overall funding reduction from HPSNZ.  

Whether or not a team is sent to the 2015 World Men's Team Championships is at this stage uncertain.  While HPSNZ has not funded these campaigns for several years, the latest funding reduction puts greater stress on the High Performance budget.

With a reduction in High Performance funding, rebuilding from the ground up becomes even more important.  The implementation of 'Regional High Performance hubs', to complement and feed the national High Performance programme, has therefore been recommended.  The Panel is working through some possible operating models and budgets, and will be talking to coaches and district personnel to get input into this proposal.  Respected ex-England and New Zealand Head Coach Paul Wright has been asked to lead this process.  

Another bright spot on the horizon is the recent return to New Zealand of several notable High Performance Coaches and ex-professional players, who are keen to assist in the New Zealand High Performance environment.  While we are faced with challenges, these resources are invaluable as we seek to continue New Zealand's proud history of producing elite players and world champions.