Sports boost to city

Enterprise North Shore is gathering together sports related businesses to create a Shore sports business cluster.

The agency recently hosted a two-hour programme to launch its formation.

Enterprise chief executive officer Terry Hoskins says sport is big business on the Shore and local enterprises are embracing its key role in pump priming the economy.

Enterprise-commissioned research shows that in 2008 the Shore's sport and performance sector contributed $132.7 million to the local economy.

The formation of a sport business cluster comes in the run-up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Mr Hoskins says the sector can capitalise on the event and boost its already impressive position.

"The North Shore is already a leading hub for the business of sport but sporting enterprises have a tremendous opportunity to grow and make an even greater contribution to the wealth and quality of life here on the Shore."

He says the cluster's formation is an important step forward especially with the looming Rugby World Cup .

"It highlights sports as a powerful economic force."

- © Fairfax NZ News