The Urology Associates came to enthuse asking if we could look at developing an event that supported men’s health and Movember. We jumped at the chance and got to work to transform an inner city car park building in Christchurch into a ‘party on the roof’ and New Zealand’s most unique sporting stadium. The event won the most outstanding sports event in Canterbury and became part of a global series
The Urology Associates Car Park Cannon Ball was eight floors of speed and excitement as cyclists went head to head, two at a time from the bottom to top of an eight story car park building in Christchurch’s Innovation Precinct with a DJ, band and energetic MC providing a party atmosphere as 2000 people enjoyed the event’s hospitality as the sun set over the city skyline providing a spectacular night of entertainment.
The Urology Associates Car Park Cannonball beat off international rugby, rugby league and hockey events to win the Nexia New Zealand Sports Event of the Year at the 2018 Canterbury Sports Awards.
Chief Executive of Sport Canterbury Julyan Falloon said the Urology Associates Car Park Cannon Ball was considered against a tough line-up of international events that included the BNZ Crusaders verses British and Irish Lions and the International Hockey Test Series women’s match between the Black Sticks and USA.
“What set this urban cycle race apart was the strong sense of innovation,” he said. “This first-time event leveraged the current Christchurch mindset – a city embracing new approaches, and the appetite of Cantabrians for everything on two wheels. It bought enthusiastic crowds into our new city, ready to be entertained and see something never done in a New Zealand car park before – it was bound to be a winning formula.”
It really was a team effort with so many contributing to the success of the night. It was fantastic to see the inner city buzzing with the event with so many people coming down to watch, and many of them weren’t cyclists or cycling fans.
We had fantastic support from the Christchurch City Council who provided seed funding for the event and our event sponsors were great as well with many of them going well beyond their sponsorship to support the event, Movember and men’s health.