TAPS is designed to ensure athletes have the right resources at the right time relative to their stage in their respective sport’s Performance Pathway.
The programme is guided by the Performance Pathways Framework, an investment criteria which enables HPSNZ to allocate investment and support effectively and transparently.
The Framework consists of three main progressions – Elite, Potential and Pre-HP – plus Post-Performance, with a key focus on the transitions in between.
To be eligible for TAPS an athlete must be from a sport that has been designated by HPSNZ as eligible for TAPS.
Support provided to TAPS athletes includes:
- Athlete Performance Support – tailored support in Performance Science, Performance Health and Performance Life services, tailored access to medical insurance and HPSNZ facilities
- Athlete Financial Support – tailored Elite and Potential Training Grants and Excellence Grants, access to apply for Prime Minister’s Athlete Scholarships
DOWNLOADS – PERFORMANCE PATHWAYS FRAMEWORK
TAILORED ATHLETE PATHWAY SUPPORT (TAPS) PROGRAMME 2025-2028: Guidance for Podium and Aspirational Sports
This document outlines detailed information on the TAPS programme including criteria, streams and process.
TAILORED ATHLETE PATHWAY SUPPORT (TAPS) 2025-2028: FAQs for Athletes
This document provides answers for athletes to frequently asked questions.
“The biggest impact [of TAPS] from an athlete’s perspective, is that for so many years there has been a sole focus on having to reach seasonal performance targets at a pinnacle event, year in and year out, to continue to maintain funding and support. Something which has been very challenging, and cutthroat as an athlete, to maintain and guarantee long term funding in a cycle. Funding as an athlete under TAPS provides a lot more security and certainty around the support you receive, and a bigger emphasis put on the athlete’s overall wellbeing and vision towards their end goal.”
Adam Hall, Five-time Winter Paralympic athlete.
