Highlights:
- Sports Development: Australian rugby union and European football governance are in the spotlight;
Recreation: New research from New Zealand looks at the drivers of commitment and enduring involvement in outdoor recreation, while U.S. research continues to show modest growth in participation over recent years;
Young People: An overview of the development and delivery of the sport and recreation curriculum in New South Wales schools sits alongsides news of an audit of school facilities and access in Scotland.
Index
Sport New Zealand
International expert urges NZ sports leaders to innovate – 30 Apr 2012
A globally respected expert on sports innovation and entrepreneurialism, Chris Akers was in New Zealand this week and has challenged local sports leaders to innovate more. (Sport New Zealand)
New Zealand Sport and Recreation award winners announced – 01 May 2012
Excellence across the sport and recreation sector in New Zealand has been recognised with the presentation of the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards in Rotorua. (Sport New Zealand)
High Performance Sport
Beyond 2012 - the London 2012 legacy story – 28 Mar 2012
This report sets out for the first time the breadth and depth of the sporting, economic and community legacies that will be delivered after the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (UK Department for Culture Media and Sport)
London 2012 sustainability measures praised by UN Environment Chief – 27 Apr 2012
UN Under-Secretary General Achim Steiner has visited the Olympic Park to mark the launch of the London 2012 pre-Games sustainability report. The report covers the London 2012 delivery of the entire Olympic and Paralympic programme, with a spotlight on performance up to April 2012, three months before the start of the Games. The full report can be found here. (London 2012)
Olympic Athletes’ Hub bringing fans and Olympians closer together – 18 Apr 2012
The Hub is the latest initiative by the International Olympic Committee to make the Olympic experience more personal and interactive for Olympic fans worldwide by substantially increasing engagement between them and the athletes. The Hub is a searchable directory of Olympians that provides posts from their Facebook and Twitter accounts and other information designed to connect people with their favourite athletes. (Olympic Movement)
Olympic athletes must overcome skin conditions to reach for gold – 26 Apr 2012
The Olympics are all about the “thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.” But for many Summer Games athletes, there’s also the agony of skin irritations and conditions that can make the journey to the medal stand more difficult. Skin problems rank among athletes’ most common complaints, but there’s little information available regarding dermatoses among Olympic athletes, according to findings from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. (Newswise)
London 2012 Anti-Doping Laboratory awarded WADA accreditation – 23 Apr 2012
The World Anti-Doping Agency has granted accreditation to the London 2012 Anti-Doping Laboratory for the duration of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. (World Anti-Doping Agency)
High Performance Sport New Zealand - coaches step up to accelerate development – 13 Apr 2012
High Performance Sport New Zealand has announced the five coaches who are joining a programme aimed at increasing New Zealand’s pool of world-class coaches. HPSNZ is working with national sport organisations to accelerate the development of coaches, so that they are capable of producing World, Olympic and Paralympic Champions. (Swimming NZ)
Lyon aims to create best sporting conditions for IPC Athletics World Championships – 20 Apr 2012
The organisers of the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France have promised competing athletes that they can expect optimal sporting conditions when they arrive in the city in July next year. (Paralympic Movement)
Sports Development
Draft Canadian Sport Policy 2.0 – 14 Feb 2012
This document outlines Canada’s vision and proposed implementation to being a leading sporting nation where all Canadians are enabled to pursue sport to the extent of their abilities and interests, including performing at the highest competitive levels; and where sport delivers to individual health and wellbeing for increasing numbers of people, as well as contributing to socio-economic outcomes. (SIRC)
Better long-term results the focus of new Australian Sport Performance Review process – 26 Apr 2012
The aim of getting the best possible long-term return from the Australian Government’s investment in sport has prompted the Australian Sports Commission to introduce a new Annual Sport Performance Review process. To complement the new process the Commission has released a new Annual Sport Performance Review overview document to help all sports understand its key principles, roles and responsibilities. The document can be found here. (Australian Sports Commission)
Historic review into Australian Rugby's corporate governance announced – 27 Apr 2012
The Australian Rugby Union has announced a review into its corporate governance. The announcement followed ARU’s Annual General Meeting in Sydney and a week after the Australian Government called on sports to modernise their corporate governance arrangements. (Australian Rugby Union)
European study sets out to understand changing face of football – 11 Apr 2012
A Loughborough University lecturer is to lead one strand of an international research project exploring attitudes and opinions of football supporters to the sport’s governance in Europe. The project is funded by the European Commission and is a collaboration of ten universities in six different countries. (Loughborough University)
Ban on women footballers wearing hijab to be lifted – April 2012
The International Football Association Board, consisting of FIFA and four British Home Associations, has agreed to lift the ban on headscarves being worn by female Islamic footballers, pending health and safety checks. (International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education)
Football’s equipment evolution – 26 Apr 2012
Football has developed almost beyond recognition from the sport’s humble origins, and that progress has been matched in the equipment used. From the boots through the kit to the football itself, modern-day players work with tools that differ considerably from those at the disposal of their early predecessors. This article looks at the changes that have taken place. (FIFA)
$8.8 million given to sport and communities in 2012 – 18 Apr 2012
The New Zealand Community Trust has distributed $8.8 million to a wide variety of sports groups and community organisations during the 2012 calendar year. This funding has helped organisations build infrastructure, run events, provide coaching, kit out teams, purchase equipment and travel to competitions. (Australasian Leisure Management)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
The treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome in athletes - a randomised clinical trial – 30 Mar 2012
The only three randomised trials on the treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) were all performed in military populations. The treatment options investigated were not previously examined in athletes. This study investigated whether functional outcome of three common treatment options for MTSS in athletes in a non-military setting was the same. (Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology)
Effects of saddle position on pedalling technique and methods to assess pedalling kinetics and kinematics of cyclists and triathletes – November 2011
Optimising body position on the bicycle may improve performance and reduce overuse injury risk. This thesis assessed validity and reliability of methods for determining body position and pedalling kinetics in cycling, and analysed effects from changes in saddle height and horizontal position on pedalling kinetics and kinematics of cyclists and triathletes. (Auckland University of Technology)
Implement training for concentric-based muscle actions – April 2012
Recently, there has been greater use of implements in strength and conditioning that allow athletes to complete movements while minimising or eliminating eccentric stress. The purpose of this article is to help coaches and trainers gain insight on the proposed benefits and purposes of using sleds and to explain practical applications based on recent literature and from the authors' own personal experiences and observations. (Strength & Conditioning Journal)
A comparison of developmental activities of elite athletes born in large and small cities – March 2012
This Canadian study compared organised and non-organised sport activities of 41 athletes from different birthplace sizes. Results revealed that athletes born in small cities participated in significantly more non-organised sport activities and significantly less organised sport activities than athletes from large cities. (Physical & Health Education Academic Journal)
Getting an edge: body composition science for track and field athletes – 9 Apr 2012
Understanding body composition is an important element in any athletes’ training regimen—especially in the case of track and field athletes. Since a variety of athletic types compete in this sport, it is imperative for each athlete to know and understand their own body. (Sport Digest)
Five experts answer: is running bad for your knees? – 6 Apr 2012
This article is based on interviews with five leading exercise experts concerning the relationship, if any, between running and knee deterioration. (MyHealthNewsDaily)
Knee injuries in women linked to motion, nervous system differences – 17 Apr 2012
Women are more prone to knee injuries than men, and the findings of a new study suggest this may involve more than just differences in muscular and skeletal structure – it shows that males and females also differ in the way they transmit the nerve impulses that control muscle force. The full report is available here. (Oregon State University)
Warm-up to increase athletic performance – 18 Apr 2012
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2012/article/warm-up-to-increase-athletic-performance
A La Trobe University study has found that performing low load gluteal muscle exercises enhances strength and power in the lower body during exercise. Researchers tested the effect of warm-up exercises on 22 elite AFL players to enhance performance. (La Trobe University)
Active Communities
Doing sport differently – A guide to exercise and fitness for people living with disability or health conditions – 18 Apr 2012
Disability Rights UK has produced a new resource to support disabled people to be active. It is written by and for people with lived experience of disability or health conditions. It covers the benefits of sport and fitness, how you can get involved – whether playing, watching or coaching. The document can be downloaded from this site. (Radar)
UK sport challenged to increase participation for disabled people – 19 Apr 2012
The sport sector needs to up its game in attracting disabled people to sport, UK Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said at the Government’s first Disability Sport Summit. The UK has a strong tradition in Paralympic sport at the elite level, but more needs to be done to boost participation levels among disabled people. Just 17 percent of disabled adults play sport every week. (English Federation of Disability Sport)
‘It’s Not Just a Game’ exhibition in Taranaki– 5 Apr 2012
It’s Not Just a Game: whānau, whakapapa, whutupaoro, is about mates and mana, pride and passion, fans and family. Having opened on the 5th of April, at Aotea Utanganui – Museum of South Taranaki, this show honours the tales and taonga of tribal rugby. (South Taranaki District Council)
Edinburgh's first outdoor gym – 1 Mar 2012
The outdoor gym is a result of a partnership between Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and the City of Edinburgh Council, which worked with a health agency to consult local people to decide on the ideal package of equipment to be installed. (Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust)
England heading for summer of table tennis – 10 Apr 2012
Sport England has launched a new initiative to boost recreational table tennis across England that builds on the overwhelming success of the Ping! project, which has helped to transform the popularity of social table tennis. (Sport England)
Recreation
Understanding commitment and enduring involvement in outdoor recreation in New Zealand – December 2011
This research assessed the levels of commitment and ‘enduring involvement’ in a number of outdoor recreational activities, and considered the importance of a range of personal, social and environmental influences upon commitment and enduring involvement. It is one of the first comprehensive studies of on-going commitment/involvement in outdoor recreation in New Zealand. (University of Otago)
2012 US outdoor recreation participation topline report – April 2012
In 2011, outdoor recreation among Americans reached the highest participation level in the last five years. Nearly 50 percent of all Americans ages six and older, or 141.1 million individuals, participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2011, making 11.6 billion outings. (Outdoor Foundation)
Researchers find time in wild boosts creativity, insight and problem solving – 23 Apr 2012
Research conducted at the University of Kansas concludes that people from all walks of life show startling cognitive improvement — for instance, a 50 percent boost in creativity — after living for a few days steeped in nature. (University of Kansas)
Mountains to sea trail grand opening hikoi – 24 Apr 2012
The Mountains to Sea Trail, the fifth Great Ride to be fully-completed under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail celebrated its grand opening with a three-day hikoi ride. The 317-kilometre Mountains to Sea Nga Ara Tuhono takes cyclists on a journey from the slopes of Mount Ruapehu and through the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. (Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail)
Land purchased for Nelson MTB trail – 24 Apr 2012
Nelson City Council has purchased a 97 ha block of land on the flanks of Fringed Hill to secure legal access for mountain bikes over a section of the Dun Mountain Trail and to improve the backdrop to the city. The recently opened Dun Mountain Trail has been identified as one of New Zealand’s official 'great rides' under the New Zealand Cycle Trails project and has received $484,000 from the government to upgrade the trail to an intermediate rider level. (Nelson City Council)
Major upgrade for Walking Access mapping system – 5 Apr 2012
Enjoying the great outdoors will soon become even easier thanks to enhancements to the New Zealand Walking Access Commission’s Walking Access Mapping System. The innovative mapping system, online at www.wams.org.nz, is designed to help New Zealanders and overseas visitors identify land in New Zealand over which the public has access. (Walking Access)
Accessibility of Scottish urban greenspace – 26 Mar 2012
Measuring the true distance which residents have to travel to access greenspaces in their local area is of interest to a wide range of groups, researchers and organisations. A recently developed pilot project is looking at building on existing work to develop a straightforward methodology which can be replicated across the network to produce data for monitoring change and guiding strategic development. (Central Scotland Green Network)
Young People
NSW sport and recreation programme development and delivery - Stages 1, 2 and 3 Primary School – April 2012
This document provides an overview of the framework that guides the development and delivery of programmes for schools at sport and recreation centres. It provides a guide to enable educators to appreciate the value of such programmes, understand design and development concepts, the process of achieving outdoor education outcomes, and how those outcomes can complement Department of Education curriculum elements. A report for the secondary school sector can be found here. (NSW Department of Sport and Recreation)
Audit of sports facilities and access within the Scottish school estate – 27 Apr 2012
Sportscotland, the national agency for sport, is commissioning an audit of the sports facilities within Scotland’s school estate and the access to those facilities for local communities. This audit is the first stage in the process of establishing accurate, up-to-date data on the availability and current use of sports facilities within the school estate, and the issues and barriers around future use, beyond what is core to the school day. (sportscotland)
Irish girls To Try 5 A Day – 23 Apr 2012
A number of Irish sports governing bodies have joined forces to increase opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport as well as raising the profile of women's and girls' sport in the local media. (Sport Northern Ireland)
Tena koe, no ngati skateboarder ahau – understanding this unique urban culture in any CBD – March 2012
In this article the author (a planner, a skateboarder and of Maori heritage) reflects on skateboarding and Maori cultures, which share essential characteristics. The cultures are non-mainstream, both championing bravery and achievement. (Lincoln University)
Registrations are now open for the Australian Prime Minister's Olympic Challenge – 26 Apr 2012
The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is challenging all Australian primary school-aged children to try a variety of Olympic sports as part of the Prime Minister’s Olympic Challenge. Children will be able to participate individually or as part of a group to accumulate points towards a gold, silver, bronze or participation certificate based on their level of involvement. (PMs Olympic Challenge)
Some Porirua playgrounds to close in favour of improved neighbourhood playgrounds – 26 Apr 2012
Several Porirua city playgrounds will be getting a facelift this year while a handful of underused playgrounds will be decommissioned. Karyn Stillwell, Porirua City Council Manager, Leisure Assets & Services, says Porirua City Council’s draft Play Spaces Strategy, currently in development, takes a holistic view of playgrounds in the city and is driven by a desire to increase the use and popularity of playgrounds. (Porirua City Council)
Study finds nearly half of preschool children not taken outside to play by parents on a daily basis– 2 Apr 2012
A new U.S. early-childhood longitudinal study has found that nearly half of preschoolers did not have even one parent-supervised outdoor play opportunity per day. The study was published in the Archives of Paediatric & Adolescent Medicine. (Seattle Children’s Research Institute)
Useful Weblinks
Volunteer Awareness Week 2012 toolkit
This toolkit is designed to provide ideas, examples and inspiration to assist you in promoting and publicising your organisation and/or activities during 17-23 June 2012.
50 things to do before you're 11 ¾
The UK National Trust is aiming to get ‘cotton wool kids’ outdoors. This website links to an interactive list of the best 50 things for children to do before they're 11 ¾.
Sports Coach
Produced by the Australian Sports Commission, this website contains a range of theory to practice articles to assist sports coaches.
Note the intention of Relay is to include a broad range of opinions. Not all of these are supported or endorsed by Sport NZ or reflective of Sport NZ policy. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here, but we are not responsible for the content of external websites.