Škoda New Zealand Naming Sponsor Cycling New Zealand Schools Events

Schools
Skoda Schools Logo lockup HORIZONTAL

Cycling New Zealand Schools is delighted to announce ŠKODA New Zealand as the new naming sponsor for its sanctioned events for the next three years.

ŠKODA New Zealand already have a well-established relationship with cycling included providing vehicles to Cycling New Zealand.

ŠKODA New Zealand is synonymous with quality and performance and has a huge cycling history as the company first emerged as a bicycle manufacture. When co-founder Vaclav Klement bought a bicycle from a German manufacturer – which broke shortly afterwards, he teamed up with bike mechanic Vaclav Laurin, and they began producing their own bicycles. From the production of motorbikes in 1899, Laurin and Klement built their very first car in 1905 - the Voiturette A which could reach speeds of 25mph (which was very impressive at the time!) A merger with ŠKODA Works, a large industrial company, in 1924 saw the ŠKODA name appear on an automobile for the very first time.

Cycling has remained important to ŠKODA since that day and so ŠKODA jumped at the chance to include Cycling New Zealand Schools events to their sponsorship portfolio.  ŠKODA New Zealand General Manager Rodney Gillard comments; “Our investment into cycling enables us to be part of local communities and we are very excited to be extending our relationship with cycling to include Schools events as they are both professionally delivered and are really well represented throughout New Zealand.”

Cycling New Zealand Schools was established to govern competitive cycling opportunities for School age participants and currently have 11 sanctioned events on their annual calendar.

Cycling New Zealand CEO Jacques Landry acknowledges the important role of schools cycling as one of the first steps in the cycling development and competition pathway and the benefits young people gain from their involvement in the sport.

“ŠKODA New Zealand is already synonymous with cycling and to have ŠKODA as the naming sponsor across the Schools Cycling events will assist Cycling New Zealand Schools to continue the great work already in place to support and grow schools cycling.”

Cycling New Zealand Schools Chairman, Brynn Gilbertson is also pleased to welcome ŠKODA New Zealand to the schools cycling family.

“To have a well-respected brand such as ŠKODA New Zealand associated with Schools Cycling will enable Cycling New Zealand Schools to continue to deliver and support professional, safe, fair and fun events for our school riders whilst still enabling event organisers to work with local supporters and businesses in their community. We want to provide event opportunities that encourage as many students to give cycling a go, it’s a great sport that people can participate in, years after leaving school, and can teach valuable skills that they can take through life.”

The 2021 Schools event calendar will commence in March with events running until October.

For a full calendar of events and more information including how to get involved in schools cycling and resources for schools and parents see www.schoolscycling.nz.

Back to news