Other highlights:
- Sport Development: in Canada, sports teams volunteer once a year to "give back" to their communities, and
- Young People: Australian and Canadian research raises concerns about levels of active play and physical education among children.
This edition
High Performance Sport
Six years of Olympic preparation coming to a head – 29 Jun 2012
Planning for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games began in 2006, and with less than a month to go the New Zealand team looks well placed to achieve its targets based on performances in the previous year at their respective world championships. (High Performance Sport New Zealand)
Chef de Mission departs for London – 5 Jul 2012
On the eve of his departure for the Olympic Games, New Zealand Chef de Mission Dave Currie says the level of preparation and planning that has gone on in London is second-to-none. “The venues are stunning and well-tested and I’m looking forward to moving into the village and setting up a slice of Aotearoa, New Zealand in London”. (New Zealand Olympic Committee)
Olympic inequality – 18 Jun 2012
An examination of past Olympic Games television coverage shows notable differences in the way sports commentators talk about athletes, depending upon the athletes’ race, gender and nationality. Two studies by a University of Delaware professor published this month in academic journals show particular biases. (University of Delaware)
An analysis of women’s participation rates at the Paralympic Games – 11 Jun 2012
Drawing upon data from the last six summer Paralympic Games it would appear that women’s participation at the summer Paralympic Games is increasing worldwide, having risen from 22.1% of all athletes in Seoul to 34.6% in Beijing. (Paralympicanorak)
IPC Website to Livestream 580 Hours of Sport During London 2012 – 11 Jul 2012
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced plans to provide the most comprehensive online coverage ever for a Paralympics including broadcasting 580 hours of live sport from London 2012 via the Paralympics website during the Games. During each day of London 2012, the IPC website will broadcast four streams of uninterrupted live coverage from the Paralympics with English commentary. (Paralympics New Zealand)
The Paralympian: The official magazine of the Paralympic movement – 2012
A cumulative TV audience in excess of 4 billion people is set to watch the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and this edition of The Paralympian (among other topics) looks closely at the growing appeal of Paralympic Sport to broadcasters and the benefits this has in terms of commercial revenue. (Paralympic.org)
Glasgow launches drive for 2018 Youth Olympics – 20 Jun 2012
Glasgow has launched its candidature for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games by highlighting the strong legacy provided by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, along with the city’s own staging of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. (SportBusiness)
Glasgow's Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome to host 2012/13 UCI Track World Cup round – 8 Jun 2012
Cycling’s world governing body Union Cycliste Internationale has announced that Glasgow’s Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will host a round of the 2012/13 UCI Track World Cup series, which will see British Cycling deliver an event in which the world’s best riders compete at the venue for the first time. (UK Sport)
Sports Development
WADA in race against time to lift income – 17 Jun 2012
The World Anti-Doping Agency is facing a race against time to raise income levels or be forced to scale back its activities. The warning comes in the agency's newly-published annual report. (Inside the Games)
UK Sport and P2i team up to create winning formula – 11 May 2012
UK Sport has announced a unique innovation partnership with a leader in liquid repellent nano-coating technology, to help protect equipment and accessories developed through UK Sport’s Research and Innovation programme in cycling and sailing, two of Britain’s leading sports. (UK Sport)
IRB to address scrum issues with global trial – 12 Jun 2012
A revised scrum engagement sequence will be trialled globally following unanimous backing from the IRB's expert Scrum Steering Group. The trial, which will incorporate the sequence “crouch, touch, set”, was approved at a recent meeting in Bristol of the specialist group made up of Union and players' representatives, former players and other experts. (International Rugby Board)
All of Basketball Pathway Plan – 18 Jun 2012
Basketball New Zealand management has developed, clarified and refined a national development structure to benefit participants at all levels. This will align all basketball development programmes to provide a unified pathway into the game and deliver a consistent experience to all participants. The All of Basketball Pathway Plan details a long and short term scope of work that can deliver the goals set out in the current strategic plan. (Basketball New Zealand)
British Back to Netball programme – 7 June 2012
One of the best entry-level sports products over the past few years is Back to Netball, which provides a gentle introduction to the sport for female players over sixteen years of age. Sessions are coach-led and cover basic skill development and court play. The emphasis of these sessions is on learning new skills and having fun playing netball with friends. (Make Sport Fun)
Technology conference boosts community sport – 1 Jul 2012
Delegates from almost 300 sporting clubs from around New South Wales have attended the SportsTech 2012 conference and exhibition. The event represented over 50 codes of sport – from netball and football to dragon boating to croquet – showcasing new technologies designed to help community sports manage their operations. (Australasian Leisure Management)
New technology platform connects Australian netball family – 31 May 2012
Netball Australia has announced a partnership with a Melbourne-based online sport management company to provide a new technology platform that will connect the Australian netball family: players, fans and volunteers. (Netball Australia)
Football study finds fans would support openly gay players – 28 May 2012
There are over 500,000 professional footballers, yet openly gay players appear almost entirely absent. It is often claimed that the problem lies with an intolerant fan culture, but a new study reveals that 93% of football fans oppose homophobia and would support openly gay players. The study, published in the British Journal of Sociology, identifies conservative clubs and agents to be the sport's strongest barriers to change. (Alpha Galileo)
The role of gender in participation in disability sport – 7 Jun 2012
Gender appears to play a key role in participation rates amongst people with disabilities. This can be partially accounted for by the fact that more men are permanently injured through accidents while more women have chronic disabling conditions that are not accident related. (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity)
True Sport challenges Canadian communities to give back – 10 Jun 2012
In celebration of Sports Day in Canada, September 29, 2012, True Sport is challenging all members to unleash the power of positive sport by participating in the third annual True Sport Community Give-Back Challenge. Members can gather their teams to clean up a local park, volunteer in a community centre or even organise a community fair and donate the proceeds to a local charity or cause. (Leisure Information Network)
Australia’s alternative to alcohol sponsorship – 23 Jun 2012
Twelve of Australia’s national sporting organisations will be provided funding out of a A$25 million government sponsorship programme to provide an alternative to alcohol sponsorship in sport. The new campaign is a partnership between the Australian Government and national sporting organisations to address binge drinking and the influence of alcohol promotion on young Australians. (Swimming Australia)
Is practicing good sportsmanship a dying art? – 6 Jun 2012
A western Ohio high school runner who helped a struggling competitor finish their race is being praised for her sportsmanship and trying to cope with the attention it has sparked. This opinion piece examines sportsmanship in the US. (Sport Digest)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
Study shows the right mix of mental toughness makes Olympic champions – 14 Jun 2012
As Olympic athletes make their final preparations for the biggest sporting competition of their lives, sport and performance psychologists at Loughborough University have published research that can help them overcome and even thrive on the pressure to win Olympic gold. (Loughborough University)
What makes champions? A review of the relative contribution of genes and training to sporting success – 25 Apr 2012
Elite sporting performance results from the combination of innumerable factors, which interact with one another in a poorly understood but complex manner to mould a talented athlete into a champion. The present review describes the contributions made by deliberate practice and genetic factors to the attainment of a high level of sporting performance. (British Journal of Sports Medicine)
Automated system to detect infectious diseases for Olympics 2012 – 25 Jun 2012
The world’s first comprehensive, automated outbreak detection system, which will monitor over 3,000 infections and is ready to run during Olympics 2012, was developed by a researcher at The Open University. The system has proved its worth over the years and will be run by Health Protection Agency during the period of the London 2012 Olympics. (The Open University)
Paddle vs. propeller: which Olympic swimming stroke is superior? – 19 Jun 2012
Two swimming strokes—one that pulls through the water like a boat paddle and another that whirls to the side like a propeller—are commonly used by athletes training for the Olympic Games. But elite swimmers and their coaches have long argued over which arm motion is more likely to propel an aquatic star toward a medal. A university research study has picked a winner. (Johns Hopkins University)
Tracking the wave of success for British swimmers – 29 Jun 2012
Training sessions for British swimmers have been getting a helping hand from a new system incorporating cutting-edge movement tracking and sensor technologies. From starting dives to tumble turns, the state-of-the-art coaching aid is the first of its kind to be able to track movement wirelessly through water. (UK Sport)
GB team ground control: Paul Barratt – 1 Jun 2012
As British Cycling’s sole bio-mechanist, the optimum performance of some of the most successful cyclists of all time is, in part, down to Paul Barratt. Working for the Great Britain Cycling Team on behalf of the English Institute of Sport, Barratt is responsible for – in his own words – understanding forces that humans produce and the result of those forces. (British Cycling)
The limits of acceptable biological variation in elite athletes: should sex ambiguity be treated differently from other advantageous genetic traits? – June 2012
Elite athletes are unlike other people. They are gifted with the ability to be able to work their bodies faster, harder, and more skilfully than “mere mortals.” While the exercise of prodigious discipline is undoubtedly key to their successes, genetic and other biological variants likely factor into world-class performances, although how they do so is both complicated and poorly understood. In this context, disorders of sexual differentiation can sometimes give female competitors a masculine edge. (Mayo Clinic)
Coaches managing their athletes’ pre-competition stress – 15 Jun 2012
Fear, anxiety, anticipation, feeling antsy, and butterflies in the stomach are commonly experienced at every level in sport. Fear in sport comes in many forms: fear of the opponent or a competitor, fear of not performing well or achieving goals, or fear of distraction or unforeseen circumstance that interferes with an athlete’s ability to do what they’ve been training for. This experienced practioner looks at some of the issues that need to be addressed. (Podium)
Active Communities
Surge in sports participation as the Games draw near – 22 Jun 2012
For the first time more than 15 million people in England are playing sport once a week, every week. The latest figures from Sport England’s Active People Survey show that 15.28 million people aged 16 and over are playing sport at least once a week, 500,000 more than six months ago and 1.3 million more than in 2005/6 when London won the Olympic bid. (Sport England)
All sport and no play? – 15 Jun 2012
Games4Life is a new British government campaign which aims to inspire the nation to get active during this year’s summer of sport. The campaign aims to build on the excitement of the sporting activities taking place this summer to encourage millions of people to get involved and get active. (British Heart Foundation)
Makeover begins at Havelock North village pool – 22 Jun 2012
Hastings District Council is to undertake a $1.1m project at the pool which will include improvements to the filtration plant which will increase the water clarity, a major upgrade of the changing facilities, improved spectator facilities and changes which will enable easier access to the pool for people with mobility challenges. (Hastings District Council)
Free parking – for cycles – 19 Jun 2012
The rollout of 56 new cycle stands around Dunedin city is almost complete. The sites are in high demand and high profile areas that were identified in consultation with community boards and cycling groups. (Dunedin City Council)
Recreation
New Zealand Walking Access Commission Statement of Intent 2012-2015 – 28 May 2012
The Commission’s role is to enhance free, certain, enduring, and practical walking access to the New Zealand outdoors and to strengthen our access culture and heritage. This document outlines the priorities and focus for the coming years. (Walking Access)
The Coromandel is the perfect location for New Zealand's next "Great Walk" – 1 Jul 2012
Thames- Coromandel Mayor Glenn Leach outlined his vision for the Coromandel Great Walk project, which has secured funding for a feasibility study in the 2012 Ten Year Plan. (Thames- Coromandel District Council)
Australian Water Safety Strategy 2012-15 – 4 Jun 2012
This strategy was developed in collaboration with water safety agencies and government and aims for a 50% reduction in drowning deaths by the year 2020. The strategy has three priority areas - taking a life-stage approach, targeting high risk locations and focusing on key drowning challenges. (Australian Water Safety Council)
Tips on avoiding surfing injuries – 12 Jun 2012
It is estimated that more than 17 million Americans are active surfers, including one million in California alone. Even though the benefits for the body and mind are unquestionable, there are inherent health risks associated with the sport. (Newswise)
Whitewater NZ annual report 2012 – 2 Jul 2012
Whitewater NZ, whose stated purpose is to preserve New Zealand's whitewater resources and enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely, has released its annual report. Highlights include a new look for the Whitewater NZ website and a new on line membership system. (Whitewater NZ)
Mountain Safety Council says ‘be avalanche aware’ in alpine terrain – 18 Jun 2012
The Mountain Safety Council is warning people to be prepared and ‘avalanche aware’ before they head into the mountains this winter. The Mountain Safety Council’s website, NZ Avalanche Centre, provides a 'back country avalanche advisory' which rates avalanche risk for anyone planning on travelling in New Zealand's back country. It also contains links to downloadable avalanche-related information. (Mountain Safety Council)
Collaboration on outdoor adventure opportunities – 5 Jun 2012
An outdoor adventure collaboration programme has been established between Chinese Capital University of Physical Education and Sports and the Whitireia New Zealand polytechnic. (Whitireia)
Grey places need green spaces - the case for investing in Britain’s natural assets – June 2012
This report highlights many reasons for preserving and nurturing British urban greenspaces. It argues that the benefits of greenspace to communities, including "greater public health, better personal well-being and economic prospects, and reduced violence and aggression" are too important to squander. Using evidence from across the greenspace sector, the report makes recommendations on how parks and greenspaces of all shapes and sizes could be preserved for future generations - ranging from national legislation to facilitating local action. (Groundwork)
Through the looking glass: what value will we see in wilderness in 2064? – 6 Feb 2012
This commentary discusses the assumption that wilderness security rests on democratic processes and the will of the American people. (Park Science)
Young People
Thousands of UK Schools join in with London 2012 World Sport Day celebrations – 25 Jun 2012
Thousands of Get Set (for the Olympics) schools and local communities across the UK are showing how they are ready to welcome the world to the London 2012 Games this summer by taking part in activities to celebrate the athletes and cultures of the world, as part of London 2012 World Sport Day. (Paralympic Movement)
Physical activity in New South Wales government primary schools needs to improve – 13 Jun 2012
The New South Wales Auditor-General, Peter Achterstraat, has called on the Department of Education and Communities to improve physical activity in NSW primary schools. “Around 30 per cent of government primary schools are not providing the required two hours of physical education and sport per week,” he said. His full report, “Physical Activity in Government Primary Schools” is available online. (Audit Office of New South Wales)
Fossilised playgrounds: is active play the next dinosaur? – 29 May 2012
The 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth reports that Canadian children and youth are not playing enough; assigning an “F” grade for active play and leisure. (Active Healthy Kids Canada)
More free play-time benefits young children’s psycho-social development – 28 Jun 2012
Children in the reception classes of primary school should be given more uninterrupted playtime, without adults setting goals for them. This is the conclusion of recent research which explored the link between play and the psycho-social health of young children. (University of Groningen)
Coaching our kids to fewer injuries: a report on US youth sports safety – April 2012
Sports delivers many benefits to kids. Yet, sports injuries are common. Most of these injuries are preventable through shared responsibility among parents, coaches, athletes, schools, safety advocates, athletic trainers, and medical and health professionals. This youth sports safety polls reveals many coaches and parents don’t know how much water kids should drink during play, or how to recognise the signs of concussions. A wide variety of resources and tips for coaches to promote safety can be found in the sports safety guide for coaches. (Safe Kids Worldwide)
How healthy is the behaviour of young athletes? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis – June 2012
Participation in sports during adolescence is considered a healthy behaviour. However, the extent to which adolescent athletes engage in other healthful (or risky) behaviours is less clear. This literature review found that studies tend to report higher alcohol use, less smoking, and less recreational drug use in high-involved athletes in this age group. The review also indicates that significant heterogeneity in study design and methods exists, leaving large knowledge gaps unaddressed. (Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)
Health benefits to children from contact with the outdoors and nature – 2012
This annotated bibliography summarises literature related to outdoor and nature contact and children’s health and well-being. (The Children & Nature Network)
Adventure activity licensing reform on hold as Scots and Welsh reject abolition – 1 Jul 2012
Plans to abolish the body that oversees safety for children’s outdoor activities in England have been ‘paused’. The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority was due to be wound up and replaced by a voluntary scheme in response to a red-tape-busting report: Common Sense, Common Safety. (Grough Magazine)
Australia kicks off game plan for young footballers' safety – 29 Jun 2012
Football Federation Australia (FFA) has partnered with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to help keep kids and teenagers safe around football goals. Football coaches, teachers, parents and volunteers as well as sports associations, football clubs and local councils are being urged by the FFA and ACCC to "Anchor, Check, Respect" their goalposts after growing concerns in Australia and worldwide about the safety of moveable football goals. (Football Federation Australia)
Discipline agreement ‘huge step forward’ for football alignment – 26 Jun 2012
New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh is hailing new judicial alignment with Auckland Secondary Schools Football Association as a huge step forward for increased cooperation between schools football and the sport’s national body. (New Zealand Football)
Useful Weblinks
Routledge Online Studies on the Olympic and Paralympic Games
This site provides a unique learning resource, publishing scholarly and multi-disciplinary research on the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The platform aims to stimulate the production of new knowledge, facilitate dialogue and connections across disciplines, and contribute to the ‘learning legacy’ of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Fun Generator
This site will equip parents and families with over 100 indoor and outdoor activity ideas for kids of all ages. A mobile app is also downloadable.