Sports Minister Trevor Mallard has today launched the first major commercial partnership between the Academy of Sport and a private company.

The Food Solutions Group is to join the Academy of Sport as a commercial partner.

"This is an example of how groups of high performers in sport and industry can work together for the good of the country and themselves," Trevor Mallard said.

"As Minister of Sport it is exciting for me because the partnership is increasing the support for our high performance athletes and therefore ensuring ongoing and increasing success in New Zealand sport.

"As Associate Minister of Finance I know that the increased success of these athletes can only benefit the international marketing of New Zealand and its products.

"Food Solutions Group's partnership with the Academy of Sport is an innovative and unique combination that should reflect the type of relationships that can occur between sport and the business sector in the future.

"This follows on from the recognition of future sports stars by the government this year with the awarding of the inaugural Prime Minister's Sports Scholarship to 280 young athletes. There are obvious partnership opportunities for business and these athletes.

"It's great to see a leading edge company working with high performance sport to the benefit of both themselves, the athletes and the country as a whole," Trevor Mallard said.