Index
High Performance Sport
Epic close to Games - 14 Oct 2010
The attitude of athletes and the team has been the stand-out feature of the Delhi Commonwealth Games for Chef de Mission Dave Currie. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the motivation and inspiration behind the team in Delhi and Currie believes the link with these two great men was particularly apt. (New Zealand Olympic Committee)
Delhi 2010 - A report from our tennis umpires - 08 Oct 2010
Five Tennis NZ officials who attended the 2010 Commonwealth Games describe the challenges they faced in their first few days in New Delhi, from an officials' perspective. (Tennis NZ)
Delhi delivers a truly exceptional Games - 15 Oct 2010
The XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi got the ultimate pat on the back from the Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Mr. Michael Fennell, who declared the mega-event "truly exceptional". Fennell said the successful hosting of the Games will leave behind a rich legacy for Delhi. (Delhi 2010)
Busy week at 2010 World Rowing Championships venue - 01 Oct 2010
With less than a month to go until the start of the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro, the pace of preparation is stepping up. (World Rowing)
Coca-Cola helps World Championships go green - 14 Oct 2010
The Karapiro World Rowing Championships won an IOC Oceania award in 2009 for the event's carbon reduction plan and a zero waste plan, dubbed Project Rainbow, which Karapiro 2010 has worked with Coca-Cola to implement. (World Rowing Championships)
South Africa's FIFA World Cup - a success at home and abroad - 23 Sep 2010
Post-event research commissioned by FIFA highlights the positive experiences of international fans who visited South Africa during the event. Additionally, the picture that emerged following the final wave of the survey is of a country that took increasing pride in a tournament which was considered not only a huge success in its own right, but also an important event in terms of promoting national unity. (FIFA)
Olympic sailing destined for another major jolt at Athens in November - 30 Sep 2010
In a raft of changes, the Olympic Commission has recommended the creation of a core group of Olympic events which can only be changed on ten years' notice, subjecting many classes to evaluation trials, and making sweeping changes to the new sailing World Cup to make it a more regionalised event. (Sail-World)
IOC Coordination Commission checking progress in Sochi - 11 Oct 2010
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games is visiting the Russian Black Sea resort this week to check progress. Key venues are under construction and the Russian organisers are also implementing green building standards, improving infrastructure, and running the mascot competition. (Olympic.org)
High Performance Manager appointed by Hockey New Zealand - 08 Oct 2010
Toni Cumpston, the new High Performance Manager for Hockey New Zealand, will be responsible for leading the development and management of a world class high performance programme for hockey in New Zealand. (Hockey New Zealand)
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Sports Development
Identity a key factor for women in sports, on both sides of the camera - 12 October 2010
Anita DeFrantz, president of the International Olympic Committee's Women and Sport Commission, used a recent symposium to cite gaps in promotional and broadcasting credibility which, she believes, may hinder the progress of women in sport. (Sportsfeatures.com)
Proposed centre of excellence for Southland - September 2010
A dedicated training, coach and athlete support facility is being proposed on the Surrey Park precinct to maximise the performance of Southland's elite carded athletes, franchise teams, emerging talented athletes, coaches, and athletes with a disability. (Sport Southland)
HSBC first Sevens World Series title sponsor - 05 Oct 2010
In a further boost for the sport, the International Rugby Board has announced that HSBC has been appointed the first ever title sponsor of the IRB Sevens World Series. (International Rugby Board)
Rowing community raises funds for condemned Christchurch clubhouse - 07 Oct 2010
A special collection will be made during the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 World Rowing Championships on Oct 30 to raise funds to replace the clubhouse for the Union Rowing Club, Christchurch, after it was slated for demolition because of damage caused by the Canterbury earthquake. (World Rowing Championships)
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Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
World Anti-Doping Agency 2011 prohibited list now published - 30 Sep 2010
Following its approval by WADA's Executive Committee on September 18, the 2011 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is now available. A new section on non-approved substances has been added, while the section on platelet-derived preparations has been removed. (World Anti-Doping Agency)
Conditioning and physiology: how to train and compete in hot weather - 05 Oct 2010
Hot-weather training is a delicate balance between staying cool and hydrated while performing at a competitive level. This article looks at heat illness and pre-cooling strategies that can help train the body to take a longer time to reach a core critical temperature to delay fatigue and provide a performance edge.(Peak Performance)
Warning signs of running injury, and coming back from injury - 10 Oct 2010
Research has identified that the best predictors of injury are weekly mileage, consecutive days of running, and history of previous injuries. Half of all injuries can be traced back to a previous injury in the same area and the average runner could expect to be injured once every 150-200 hours of running. This article looks at levels of pain, warning signs of injury and injury management. (Running Research News)
Emotional intelligence associated with optimal and dysfunctional athletic performance - 01 Sep2010
This study investigated relationships between self-reported measures of emotional intelligence and memories of pre-competitive emotions before optimal and dysfunctional athletic performance. Results show optimal performance was associated with significantly higher vigor, calmness and happiness scores, coupled with low scores on the anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, and tension scales.(Journal of Sports Science and Medicine)
Making your team work: How coaches can transform groups into teams - October 2010
Whether it is on the field or in the locker room, effective coaches need to understand the strategies to turn a group of individuals into a cohesive and successful team. Several characteristics that determine successful teams are outlined. (Association for Applied Sports Psychology)
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Active Communities
Australian Sports Outreach Program touches down in India - 07 Oct 2010
The Australian Sports Commission will commit A$5 million over five years in India on an outreach programme that will contribute to national development priorities specifically targeting disadvantaged community groups and people with disabilities. The project was announced by the Australian Minister for Sport, Senator Mark Arbib, during the Commonwealth Games. (Australian Sports Commission)
Neighbourhoods move it - October 2010
‘Neighbourhoods Move It' provides targeted Waitakere communities with a diverse range of opportunities to participate in sport and recreation. The project's overarching philosophy is to bring these opportunities into the local communities and reduce barriers to participation. Activities are developed in liaison with numerous schools, kura, clubs, and other groups in many locations. It's an excellent model for bringing a large number of organisations together, aligning goals and efforts to encourage sustainable physical activity. (SPARC)
Former steelworks site transforms into community multi-sports complex - 12 Oct 2010
A state-of-the-art Ravenscraig Sports Facility has risen from the ashes of a former steelworks site and will serve the community and provide a training ground for competitive athletes in Scotland. (World Architecture News)
Premier skatepark opening in Manukau - 01 Oct 2010
Manukau City Council's new premier skatepark at Barry Curtis Park was officially opened on Thursday 7 October by the new Auckland "super-city" mayor, Len Brown. In a New Zealand first, the team developed ideas from local skateboarders sent in via social networking site Facebook. (Manukau City Council)
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Recreation
Time for a change in outdoor learning - May 2010
Challenging outdoor activities and environmental studies are particularly powerful learning opportunities for students, outside the classroom. They contribute to a range of important societal targets across education, health, anti-social behaviour and community cohesion. Not all young people benefit from these opportunities. This article argues that there should be entitlement to a progressive range of learning experiences outside the classroom. (English Outdoor Council)
Minister's speech to the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council - 23 Sep 2010
In a speech by Minister of Internal Affairs to the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, Nathan Guy covers topics such as staying safe outdoors, adventure tourism and Lottery funding. (beehive.govt.nz)
Regional field advisors appointed - September 2010
Seven regional field advisors have been appointed by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission. Their first tasks will be to make contact with regional stakeholders and open lines of communication on access issues. The commission is the Crown Entity that promotes access to the outdoors. It aims to enhance free, certain, enduring, and practical walking access to our beaches, lakes, rivers, and mountains. (Walking Access)
The Outdoor Foundation releases findings of outdoor recreation participation study - 12 Oct 2010
More than 137.8 million Americans participated in outdoor recreation in 2009, according to a new study released by The Outdoor Foundation. The only detailed report of its kind tracks trends in outdoor recreation and sports with a focus on youth, diversity, and the future of the outdoors. (Outdoor Foundation)
Landowner consultations key to creating Dreaming Track - 18 Oct 2010
Construction is expected to commence on a giant network of over 2000 kilometres of walking tracks from the Daintree to the tip of Cape York next year, subject to on-going talks with traditional owners. (Australasian Leisure Management)
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Young People
Variables associated with children's physical activity levels during recess - 12 Oct 2010
The aim of this study was to investigate the association between a range of recess (play-time) variables and childrens' sedentary, moderate and vigorous physical activity. Gender, outdoor temperature, space, and availability of playground equipment were key factors in the results. (International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity)
Girls get a chance for a Quikhit - 12 Oct 2010
Numbers are booming for girls' cricket and a big part of that success can be put down to the introduction of Quikhit tournaments. It's a chance for girls to try out their cricket skills and get involved in the game in a fun environment. (New Zealand Cricket)
New research on kinaesthetic learning exciting for dance sector - 14 Oct 2010
Dance Aotearoa New Zealand (DANZ) applauds recent research highlighting kinaesthetic learning as a key to improving achievement levels in education. The use of kinaesthetic learning could increase the achievement of Maori and Pacific Island students at school, and is exciting news for the dance sector. (Dance Aotearoa New Zealand)
Parental perceptions of barriers to children's participation in organised sport in Australia - October 2010
This research examines parents' perceptions on how cost, time, travel and the variety of organised sporting activities influence their decisions to allow their child to participate in organised sport; and recent expenditure on sport-related items for their child. (Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)
Westburn Advanced Sports Programme - Term 4, 2010
The programme's aim is to promote excellence in physical education, encourage and spread good practice within sports, and develop a visible sports ethos throughout the school and local community to inspire students. It will cater for children who have demonstrated or have been identified as having a high level of skill in their chosen sport. (Westburn School)
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Useful Weblinks
Australian Womens Sport and Recreation Association
This resource includes modules on mentoring programmes, leadership and governance, and developing a media relations strategy with a focus on women in sport.
Sportzhub's Multisport page
This resource features multisport news, videos, interviews and training advice.
Athletics 365 development programme - England Athletics
Athletics 365 is a multi-event development programme for young people, which introduces athletes to the fundamental skills of athletics (vital to every sport). It is aimed predominantly at 8-15 year olds, but the resources can easily be adapted for use with younger athletes.
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