Asteron Life Announces Sponsorship of World Triathlete   13 Nov 2014

12 November 2014

Asteron Life Announces Sponsorship of World Triathlete Anneke Jenkins

Asteron Life is delighted to announce its sponsorship of New Zealand world triathlete and 2016 Rio Olympic Games hopeful Anneke Jenkins.

The three year sponsorship reflects Asteron Life’s ongoing commitment to encouraging customers to celebrate life.

Anneke, 25, has had some consistent form, with one second and two fourth placings in European Cups this season. She also won the elite ITU World Aquathlon Championship in Edmonton, Canada this year.

Asteron Life customer strategy and brand executive manager Don Allerston says, “We wanted to support Anneke Jenkins because she understands and shares our philosophy of celebrating life every day to the fullest. She commits one hundred per cent to her goals, whether that is qualifying for the Rio Olympics or prioritising her health.”

Jenkins has had her fair share of health challenges having contracted chronic fatigue syndrome at 20 years old. This ruled out any chance of her competing competitively in her first sporting love – swimming.

“Between the ages of 16 to 19 years old I was a very competitive swimmer and competing at a very high global championship level. Then I got chronic fatigue syndrome. I went past my limit and I got really sick. It made it very difficult to train and recover. My priorities had to change. I had to let go of swimming and focus on my health. The whole experience made me realise that you can’t do anything without your health, and that it should be your main priority.”

Jenkins says she loves training but racing is another level. “It is a passion and drive inside me that makes me totally focused. Every morning I know what I want to do and I just go to do my best and aim for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Rio is on my mind all the time.”

Allerston says Jenkins recently showed her positive outlook on life after fracturing her foot at the end of the European triathlete season. On a Facebook post Jenkins said she was “gutted” to be on crutches for her holidays, but her body also needed a “good rest”.

“Anneke has such a compelling story and fantastic attitude. We are excited to have the opportunity to support her in achieving her goals.”

The sport of triathlon has extensive reach into New Zealand families with more than 115,000 unique people engaging in the sport each year. The sport reaches 40,000 women and 22,000 families through the Weetbix series. Tri NZ is a central government ‘Targeted Community Sport’ and ‘Targeted High Performance Sport ‘. This is very significant as only seven and nine sports have this status respectively.

“Professional triathletes at an elite level rely heavily on private sponsorship to fund ongoing living costs, and so we are delighted to be able to help Anneke reach her goals by making this announcement today,” Allerston says.

Jenkins says she is “absolutely thrilled” to begin an exciting partnership with Asteron Life. “Our fit together couldn't be more perfect. I pinch myself every day that I am able to work hard to achieve my triathlon dreams. Asteron Life’s support will be the back bone to my triathlon career for the next three years and I am so excited about what we will be able to achieve together.”

Anneke says she also looks forward to sharing her story to help inspire others. “To go to the Olympics is a massive goal of mine. But even if you were to win Olympic gold and have no friends or family to share it with then it wouldn’t be that great of a goal. So I believe it is very important to celebrate life and those who share your life around you, and make the best of what you have.

“I strongly believe in Asteron Life’s core values and brand. After going through a long two years of chronic fatigue syndrome I certainly have had the opportunity to "Celebrate Life" again. I’ve also had my fair share of mishaps while travelling the world and insurance has always put me back on my feet again.”

Asteron Life was recently announced as the 2014 Life Insurance Company of the year, by the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. This is the second year in a row Asteron Life has been awarded this title. Jenkin’s sponsorship is effective immediately.

ENDS

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