Other highlights:
- Sports Development: new research on what motivates volunteers;
- Sports Medicine: evidence from the University of Michigan that female and younger athletes take longer to recover from concussions, a finding with treatment implications;
- Active Communities: new UK research on why informal sports settings have appeal for women.
This edition
Sport New Zealand
Swim and Survive Review recommends ways to improve programmes – 14 May 2012
An independent review of swim and survive programmes in New Zealand has been completed. Led by prominent sports administrator Alan Isaac, in collaboration with UMR Research, the review was commissioned by ACC and Sport New Zealand (formerly SPARC). The review’s main aim was to look at how a more unified approach can be taken to teaching swim and survival skills, as well as make recommendations. (Sport New Zealand)
High Performance Sport
Top high performance strategist coming home – 4 May 2012
High Performance Sport New Zealand has attracted one of New Zealand’s leading high performance strategists back home, after several years spent working with the Australian rowing squad in Canberra. Kiwi Andrew Matheson will move back to New Zealand later this year to take up the new role of General Manager Performance and Strategic Investment with HPSNZ, the organisation responsible for supporting this country’s elite athletes. (High Performance Sport New Zealand)
London 2012 launches new app and outlines social media plans – 18 May 2012
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has launched the free official London 2012 Join In app. The app will help London 2012 fans and spectators share their Games experience on social media. It can be downloaded here. (London 2012)
How do we reduce the carbon footprint of major sporting events? – 10 May 2012
As London prepares to host the Olympic Games, the legacy debate extends beyond the sports field to the impact these games will have on the environment. The New Scientist claims that "large sporting events have an 'ecological footprint' thousands of times the size of the pitches they are played on," so are organisers doing enough to minimise the impact? (The International Platform on Sport & Development)
Olympic authorities warned of potential doping loophole – 30 Apr 2012
Research carried out at London's Kingston University has revealed that athletes could mask illegal doping with testosterone by drinking green and white tea. The study found drinking the beverages had the potential to reduce the amount of the performance-enhancing hormone present in urine testing. (Kingston University)
£8 million legacy investment fund to help sport deliver for British disabled people – 21 May 2012
The fund – Inclusive Sport - will help to tackle the opportunity gap that sees just one in six disabled adults playing sport regularly, compared to one in three non-disabled adults. The investment is part of the Places People Play legacy programme that is bringing the inspiration and magic of a home Olympic and Paralympic Games into communities all over the country. (English Federation of Disability Sport)
Olympic legacy fund provides vital protection and investment for British playing fields – 14 May 2012
Communities across Britain can start bidding for a share of £2 million to protect and improve their local sports playing fields. The National Lottery investment is on offer in the latest round of Sport England’s Protecting Playing Fields fund to enhance local playing fields or create new sports pitches. (Sport England)
Glasgow 2014 sports programme finalised – 1 May 2012
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be bigger than ever with more medals and additional events for female and para-sport athletes, it has been revealed. Events will be held across 17 sports and 11 days of competition. (Glasgow 2014)
Sport classification project strikes gold at Podium Awards – 4 May 2012
Members of a research project which helped to secure the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment into the Paralympic Games are celebrating after their programme triumphed at the first ever Podium Awards for London 2012-inspired projects. (Paralympic Movement)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 host cities unveiled – 4 May 2012
The official host cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 have been announced. The FIFA Women’s World Cup – the largest single sports event for women in the world – will be the first single sport event in Canada to be held from coast to coast. (FIFA)
IRB Junior World Championship 2012 exclusive to Maori TV – 10 May 2012
The IRB Junior World Championship kicks off in South Africa on June 5 and Maori Television will be the place to watch. As the exclusive national broadcaster of the three-week tournament, Maori Television will screen 15 games, with all the New Zealand games live. (Maori Television)
RWC 2011 gives Auckland NZ$512 million boost – 25 May 2012
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset has welcomed the news that Rugby World Cup 2011 resulted in more than half a billion NZ dollars in net additional expenditure in Auckland as "a strong endorsement of New Zealand and the Rugby World Cup brand." (RWC2015)
Sports Development
Australian sports governance principles – March 2012
The Australian federal Minister for Sport has released a revised set of Sport Governance Principles for Australia's National Sporting Organisations. The principles advocate the structures that support good leadership and decision-making, to ensure effective governance. (Australian Sports Commission)
Sport volunteerism: a study on volunteering motivations in university students – December 2011
Volunteers form an integral part of the sport industry. Recognition of the volunteers' motivations to attract them into sport programmes is the aim of each organisation. Although several studies have been conducted regarding volunteers in sport, there is not a clear idea about the effective motivational factors on the sport volunteers of different communities. The aim of this study was to analyse the motivational factors in university sport. Please note: The full article is available at the bottom of the linked page. (Journal of Human Sport and Exercise)
America’s Cup wins sports Emmy award – 1 May 2012
America’s Cup coverage using LiveLine, the technology that makes competitive sailing accessible to home viewers worldwide, has been awarded an Emmy for extraordinary technical innovation. (America’s Cup)
Australian Federal Court flicks the switch on TV Now – 4 May 2012
An Australian law firm has prepared this article outlining the legal issues associated with the Federal Court’s decision to overturn Australian Football League and the National Rugby League’s appeal against Optus regarding copyright and Optus’s TV Now service. (Gibson and Gibson)
New Zealand Cricket hails crucial Pitch International rights deal – 5 Apr 2012
New Zealand Cricket has signed a long-term sponsorship and media rights agreement with Pitch International, with the organisation claiming the deal will “safeguard” the future of the sport in the country. (SportBusiness)
New Zealand Football's annual report – May 2012
The latest edition of New Zealand Football's annual report and review of 2011 activities states that the profile of football has never been higher. (New Zealand Football)
Sportsville Conference 2012 – May 2012
Since the mid-1990s, the term "sportsville" has been used to refer to a variety of partnership arrangements entered into by sports clubs. With the costs of running clubs and managing buildings increasing, sportsvilles provide a strong concept to help protect and foster clubs into the future. (Sport New Zealand)
Appeal millions to boost Christchurch sport recovery – 12 May 2012
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has announced details of $2 million in sports grants to help a range of sports that have large community participation to recover from the earthquakes. Without help from the trust, it is unlikely that these sports projects would receive funding in the foreseeable future. (Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust)
Loughborough Sport takes proactive stance on anti-doping – 10 May 2012
Loughborough University is working on an innovative new project with UK Anti-Doping to ensure that a culture of clean sport is promoted on campus. The university has been chosen as a pilot site for the project that is designed to raise awareness of anti-doping issues and to educate students and all campus users. (Loughborough University)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
Coach education moves forward – 30 Apr 2012
Sport Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Irish Sports Council, Coaching Ireland and sports coach UK, has announced an enhanced partnership around coach education aimed at providing greater clarity, understanding and recognition of the status of coach education programmes currently operating in Ireland. (Sport Northern Ireland)
Australian government plan to lead the world in sports technology – 26 Apr 2012
The Australian Federal Minister for Sport has launched a new collaborative initiative which brings together universities, sports technology enterprises and other industry players to help the development of new sporting technologies in Australia. (Australasian Leisure Management)
Technical abilities of elite wheelchair basketball players – May 2012
Wheelchair basketball met with rapid growth in recent decades and became one of the most popular and spectacular sports for people with disabilities. Different types of disabilities obliged the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation to establish classification degrees for the athletes, ranging from 1 to 4.5, according to their disability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Greek elite basketball players’ technical skills and to compare their performance with their classification degree and with recent literature. (Sport Journal)
Study shows blueberries hasten muscle recovery – 28 May 2012
London fruit sellers may want to stock up on New Zealand blueberries after a study found athletes who eat them recover faster from exercise. Massey School of Sport and Exercise head Associate Professor Steve Stannard worked with university colleagues and the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research on the paper, which has just been published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition and can be found by following this link. (Massey University)
Watercress prevents damage caused by a workout – 25 Apr 2012
Researchers at Edinburgh Napier University have found that antioxidant-rich watercress, often labelled a super-food, can alleviate the natural stress put on our body by a workout. Though regular moderate exercise is known to be good for us, the increased demand on our bodies is also known to cause damage to our DNA. (Edinburgh Napier University)
Reducing stress levels after strenuous exercise using new mouthpiece – 27 Apr 2012
Mouthguards are used by almost everyone participating in sports. These devices, typically purchased over-the-counter and used on the upper teeth, are designed to protect against broken teeth and an injured tongue. Recently, researchers in South Carolina found that a customised device which rests on the lower jaw can decrease levels of serum cortisol following exercise. (Medical News Today)
Female and younger athletes take longer to overcome concussions – 8 May 2012
New research reveals female and younger athletes take longer to recover from concussions, findings that call for physicians and athletic trainers to take sex and age into account when dealing with the injury. (Michigan State University)
An increased fluid intake leads to feet swelling in 100-km ultra-marathoners – an observational field study – 3 Apr 2012
An association between fluid intake and changes in volumes of the upper and lower limb has been described in 100 kilometre ultra-marathoners. This study investigated the association between fluid intake and a potential development of peripheral oedemas leading to an increase of foot volume and to evaluate a possible association between the changes in plasma sodium concentration and changes in foot volume. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Constraint-led changes in internal variability in running – 1 Mar 2012
This study investigated the effect of a one-time application of elastic constraints on movement-inherent variability during treadmill running. Results show that elastic tubes affect variability on a muscular level despite the constant environmental conditions and underline the nervous system's adaptability to cope with somehow unpredictable constraints since stride duration was unaltered. (Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)
Favourite music boosts sports performance – 18 Apr 2012
Whether you like classical, death metal or skiffle, listening to your own choice of music could improve your enjoyment of participation in competitive sports and improve performance, a study has found. This finding was presented at the recent British Psychological Society Annual Conference. (British Psychological Society)
Active Communities
Research report: women and informal sport – February 2012
This UK study was conducted to better understand what makes the informal sports setting appealing to women, in order to provide advice and guidance on how these offers can be designed and promoted most effectively. Factsheets to accompany the research can be found by following this link. (UK Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation)
Review of the disability sport and recreation sector, Western Australia – 1 May 2012
The Department of Sport and Recreation engaged consultants to review the disability sport and active recreation sector. The review was to identify good practice and gaps in service delivery and to develop recommendations to improve the coordination of services for people with disabilities in Western Australia. A summary of the feedback can be downloaded from this site. (Department of Sport and Recreation, WA)
Cycle safety measures on trial – 14 May 2012
Auckland Transport is trialling new ways to keep cyclists safe on our roads. It has installed new cycle safety measures at two locations in Auckland’s west. The innovative safety measures are a first for New Zealand. (Auckland Transport)
Your guide to the best & brightest bike lights – 9 May 2012
If you think all bicycle lights are much of a muchness, you may need to think again. A test of more than 50 front and rear bicycle lights has found a substantial difference in their effectiveness, especially at various angles. (Endurance Sport NZ)
Auckland tepid baths grand reopening – 25 May 2012
Auckland’s iconic tepid baths will reopen in June following a $15.8 million facelift. Poolside cabanas and heritage-inspired tiling, which pay tribute to the baths’ almost 100-year history, feature alongside state-of-the-art gym equipment and pump and filter systems. (Auckland Council)
Hockey turf laid at Maidstone – 4 Apr 2012
Construction of the artificial hockey and rugby/football grounds at Maidstone Park in Upper Hutt is progressing well. With the earthworks on the hockey field complete and the shock pad laid, work has begun on laying down the artificial turf. (Upper Hutt City Council)
Recreation
Scoping study for assessing river and lake recreation in New Zealand – 16 Dec 2011 (PDF, 2.78 Mb)
This report scopes the issues associated with measuring river and lake recreation. Its purpose is to inform the future development of an implementation plan for assessing river and lake recreation in New Zealand. (Sport New Zealand)
Paid to paddle: ‘living the dream’ in the New Zealand sea kayaking industry – 2011
This research looks at the lifestyle and motivations of some young New Zealanders who choose to live, work and play in the outdoors, in particular, as sea kayaking guides. This research explores the world of a group of 16 guides and seeks to shed light on their rationale for choosing a particular employment and lifestyle. (Lincoln University)
Abstracts from the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Eleventh Biennial Research Symposium- 12 Jan 2012
The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a US network of organisations, businesses, institutions, centres, agencies, and associations linked and communicating in support of the broad purpose of education in, for, and about the outdoors. This document provides abstracts which seek to assist outdoor educators in advancing the philosophical, theoretical, and empirical bases of outdoor education. (Coalition for Education in the Outdoors)
Update on implementation of Adventure Activities Regulations – 2 May 2012
The Department of Labour is pleased with the response from operators of adventure activities as the first phase of the implementation of the new Adventure Activities Regulations draws to a close. The first phase required existing operators of adventure activities to notify the Secretary of Labour of their operations by 30 April 2012. As the notification period closed, the Department had received almost 380 notifications from operators throughout the country. (Department of Labour)
Department of Conservation puts recreational opportunities online – 8 May 2012
As part of a new initiative to encourage more people to get out and about to enjoy New Zealand's special places, the Department of Conservation has listed all recreational and tourism businesses operating in conservation areas on the DOC website. (Department of Conservation)
Extreme dudes - just adrenaline junkies or transcendental athletes? – 9 May 2012
A new documentary explores why extreme sportspeople are neither daredevils nor thrill seekers but highly skilled athletes. ‘Transcendence’ is a documentary on death-defying sport by New Zealand filmmaker Josh Neilson. (Queensland University of Technology)
Strong interest in Enhanced Access Fund – 5 Apr 2012
Dozens of individuals and groups across New Zealand have applied for some of the $230,000 available this year as part of a contestable fund setup by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission to enhance access to the outdoors. (Walking Access)
Cycle route to link Gisborne to the Motu Trails proposed – 4 May 2012
Cyclists heading to the Motu Trails from Gisborne may soon have a new safe cycle link to Matawai, the start of the Motu Road Trail. The Ministry of Economic Development is currently considering the Gisborne District Council's proposal to include a cycle link from Gisborne city, along beautiful back country roads, to Matawai, as part of the NZCT Expansion Project. (GDC)
Businesses pedal support for NZ Cycle Trail – 10 May 2012
Prime Minister John Key was joined by New Zealand Olympic gold medal cyclist Sarah Ulmer to recognise growing interest in the New Zealand Cycle Trail, at an event on the Queenstown Trail. The Prime Minister recognised six National Partners that have signed up as supporters of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. (Nga Haerenga)
Young People
National survey of Australian outdoor youth programmes – April 2012
In 2011 the Outdoor Youth Programmes Research Alliance undertook a survey among Australian providers of outdoor programmes to establish, for the first time, a comprehensive picture of the scope and diversity of outdoor youth programmes on offer in Australia. (Murdoch Children’s Research Institute)
Empowering girls and women through physical education and sport – 14 May 2012
This advocacy brief gives an overview on up-to-date facts and figures and offers strategies to overcome inequalities in physical education. (UNESCO)
Changing the game, for girls – 2 May 2012
Over half of secondary girls in the UK say that “girls are put off sport and physical activity because of their experiences of school sport and PE”. This report presents new research that offers us the opportunity to begin to understand the causes of low levels of physical activity among girls. (Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation)
Girls’ attitudes explored…role models – 11 May 2012
This new UK report has highlighted a role model deficit among girls and young women. It sheds light on how the narrow range of positive examples available to girls and young women aged 7 to 21 is linked to a limited range of aspirations for their futures. The report presents girls’ thoughts on role models in four areas - one of them focusing on sport. (Girlguiding UK)
A world without play: literature review – January 2012
This review gives an overview of the importance of play for children’s health, well-being and development, as well as discussing the benefits of play provision to local communities. It illustrates how lack of time and spaces for play, and hostile attitudes towards children playing outdoors, can have damaging implications for children’s health and happiness. (Play England)
Managing the selection of highly competitive interscholastic sport teams: recommendations from coaches on cutting players – May 2012
This work used a sample of 15 coaches to record information on the cutting process for highly competitive varsity boys’ basketball programmes. Overall, the researchers provide several different strategies suggested by coaches to cut student-athletes from sport teams which they advocate can be done with sensitivity and concern for the student’s welfare/mental condition and for the good of the winning-centered team. Furthermore, the researchers have developed a selection matrix or framework. (Journal of Sport Administration and Supervision)
Is high-impact sports participation associated with bowlegs in adolescent boys? – June 2012
This study investigated whether participation in load bearing sports is associated with significant knee alignment adaptations in adolescent boys, which might cause a higher risk for the development of knee osteoarthritis in later life. (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise)
The role of parents in the development of tennis players: the past, the present and the future – February 2012
Within youth sport research, tennis parents have been a consistently topical population to study. This paper highlights the key literature that has focused on the role and experiences of tennis parents in the context of player development. A key aim here is to appraise how past research has investigated tennis parents in order to position our current knowledge about parental involvement, and offer examples of where future research may direct its methodological efforts in optimising the role of parents across a player’s lifespan. (The Journal of Medicine and Science in Tennis)
The relation of coaching context and coach education to coaching efficacy and perceived leadership behaviours in youth sport – 2012
This study examined how coaching context and level of coaching education were related to coaching efficacy and, subsequently, how coaching efficacy was related to perceived leadership behaviours in youth sports. The findings highlight the importance of coach education training for improving coaching efficacy in youth sport. (The Sport Psychologist)
Prince Harry becomes President of the Sainsbury’s School Games – 9 May 2012
Prince Harry of Wales has become President of the Sainsbury’s School Games, a major multi-sport event for young people. Prince Harry, who has previously given his backing to the games, will be lending his support to young people involved in all four levels of the competition. The prince will use his support to highlight the role that competitive sport can play in the development of young people, regardless of their background. (UK Department for Culture Media and Sport)
Laureus reaches 100th Sport for Good project – 9 May 2012
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is has announced that it now supports more than 100 community sports-based projects around the world, all of which are helping to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in more than 30 countries. (Laureus)
Useful Weblinks
Sport New Zealand web and social media
This Sport New Zealand website provides a nine-step guide for New Zealand sports organisations starting off in social media.
Safety tips website for adventure tourism operators
Developed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand and Department of Labour for adventure tourism operators, this site promotes a culture of safety.