Coaches to the stars retained

Athletics New Zealand’s funding spike has already been put to good use making sure the coaches of Olympic stars Tom Walsh and Eliza McCartney stay right where they are.

Athletics NZ high performance boss Scott Goodman confirmed both Jeremy McColl, who guides McCartney among a promising stable of pole vaulters in Auckland, and Christchurch-based Dale Stevenson, who is Walsh’s throws mentor, had both received tempting offshore offers to ply their trade elsewhere in the wake of their athletes’ success in 2016.

But with athletics’ four-medal success in Rio being rewarded with a $375,000 funding upgrade for 2017 to $2.6 million, and a further $150,000 to kick in the following year, Goodman confirmed both had been retained to continue their excellent work in this country.

‘‘We’ve had to do some work to retain Jeremy, because he’s had overseas offers. So has Tom’s coach Dale, and that’s good. We don’t mind that, it’s a competitive world,’’ Goodman said.

In fact, McColl is doing such an outstanding job with his growing pole vault squad based at the AUT Millennium Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore, which also includes age-grade star Olivia McTaggart and improving male vaulter Nick Southgate, that ANZ has also committed to funding an assistant to work under him.

That will free McColl up to travel with McCartney on her international schedule when required, and mean the rest of his squad won’t suffer in his absence.

‘‘It’s not crazy money but with Jeremy, we’ll get him a better vehicle and more salary, and set him up so he’s got assistant support and can have a life away from pole vault.

‘‘We also want him to mentor some other coaches around the country.

‘‘It makes sense to try have an impact where there are other good pole vault facilities. And maybe people can come in and visit and train with him on a more regular basis.’’