Teams mean business in corporate challenge
It’s well documented that workplace health and well-being initiatives not only have a positive impact on employees’ wellness, they can also lead to a significant increase in engagement, cohesiveness and overall productivity.
There are 32 teams from 19 different organisations across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty doing their bit to build healthy workplaces by taking part in this year’s BNZ Corporate Challenge at the Avantidrome.
This popular team event, run annually by the Avantidrome with the support of the BNZ, is now in its fifth year. This year’s participants are a mix of returning riders and teams keen to defend their titles from last year, along with a host of new recruits who have never ridden on the velodrome before.
“That’s the beauty of the BNZ Corporate Challenge,” Avantidrome’s programme and events manager, Del Woodford says.
“You don’t have to be an experienced rider at all. All you need is a team of work colleagues eager to take on a new challenge and we provide the training and the gear to help get them ready for race night. It’s a fantastic team building opportunity and they have a lot of fun.”
The event is well supported every year by Avantidrome partners, including Corporate Challenge naming right sponsor BNZ, along with APL, Gallagher, Livingstone, Aon, PwC, St Peter’s School staff and the University of Waikato.
This year Avantidrome coaches are excited to also have Podium Lodge and Red Stag Timber take up the challenge.
Red Stag, undoubtedly one of the most committed to the cause, travelling from Rotorua every Sunday for their early morning training session in the eight week lead up to race night. They see it as a great way to embrace workplace health and wellbeing and provide networking opportunities with other businesses in the area as well as a whole lot of fun.
“It’s also great to have some new local Cambridge businesses get involved this year with teams from Compuhub and also Manta5, swapping their Hydrofoil Bike for a fixed wheel bike with no gears or brakes and taking to the track for the first time,” Woodford said.
“We just love seeing riders who, a few weeks ago were absolutely petrified of going on the track, now racing around in personal best times and encouraging their team mates along the way.
“It’s fair to say a few new cycling enthusiasts have been born, and while this event is about team building and fun, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t an element of competitiveness.”
After eight weeks of training, learning how to ride the Italian Pursuit, the teams will ride race night finals at the Avantidrome on Saturday, September 29, starting 4pm.
“It’s guaranteed to be a spectacle with brightly coloured and no doubt vocal team supporters cheering their teams on,” Woodford said.
Spectators are welcome and entry is free.
There’ll be plenty of entertainment including face painting for kids, free WiFi and food vendors for a fun and easy Saturday night out with the family.