Visa partner with Paralympics New Zealand

The Worldwide Paralympic Partner extends its portfolio of Paralympic rights. 15 Jun 2016
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Paralympics NZ CEO Fiona Allan shakes hands with sponsor Marty Kerr from VISA

Paralympics NZ CEO Fiona Allan shakes hands with sponsor Marty Kerr from VISA during the selection announcement of the New Zealand Para-Shooting team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

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By Paralympics New Zealand and IPC

"This reflects our partnership, which is about enabling and supporting our New Zealand Para athletes on the world stage in the same way we support our Team Visa Olympic athletes."

Worldwide Paralympic Partner Visa has been announced as a Supporting Partner of Paralympics New Zealand.

The news came as triple Paralympian Michael Johnson, Jason Eales and Greg Reid were named to the shooting team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Following the announcement, Marty Kerr, Country Manager for Visa New Zealand & South Pacific, came forward to be officially welcomed as a Supporting Partner by Paralympics New Zealand Chief Executive, Fiona Allan.

Visa, the payments technology company, has extended its portfolio of global Paralympic rights, including a worldwide partnership with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), to include Paralympics New Zealand and the New Zealand Paralympic Team. Visa Global is also a long-standing TOP Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Allan said: “Paralympics New Zealand could not be more delighted to welcome Visa as a Supporting Partner. Visa is the first official global Olympic and Paralympic partner to join the New Zealand Paralympic Family and we’re very flattered to have their endorsement of our new awareness and fundraising campaign, the Spirit of Gold Initiative.”

Kerr said: “We are excited to partner with Paralympics New Zealand, which is a logical extension of our long time global partnership with the International Paralympic Committee. One of our key beliefs at Visa is the need to expand access to efficient, convenient and secure electronic payments for everyone everywhere. This reflects our partnership, which is about enabling and supporting our New Zealand Para athletes on the world stage in the same way we support our Team Visa Olympic athletes. We are excited to see our Paralympians compete in Rio, and could not be more delighted to see them succeed on the world stage.”

A team of 27 have been named for Rio so far, across shooting Para sport, Para athletics, Para cycling, Para swimming and sailing. A possible second selection for Para athletics could see between 25-35 athletes enter the stadium when the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games opens.

Collectively, New Zealand aims to win a total of 18 medals, including 12 gold, and also hopes to retain its London 2012 title of number one in the world, medals per capita.