High Performance Sport
Waterloo Quay makeover gets under way - 11 Aug 2010
Work starting on Waterloo Quay this week will transform the pedestrian route between the cruise ship terminal and the city before Rugby World Cup 2011. (Wellington City Council, NZ)
Uniform honours Hillary and Tenzing - 11 Aug 2010
The New Zealand Commonwealth Games team uniform to Delhi 2010 was revealed today as the New Zealand Olympic Committee confirmed the last of all 193 athletes to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games. (NZOC)
OC Venue Operations' teams working to ensure venues are world class - 16 Aug 2010
Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi (OC CWG Delhi 2010) Vice-Chairman Mr. Randhir Singh and Secretary General Dr. Lalit K. Bhanot visited all competition venues in the past week, helping Venue Operations Teams to settle in the venues and have a greater understanding of their specific roles. (Delhi 2010)
China edges India in mega-event hosting - 18 Aug 2010
Both economies are booming - but China certainly seems to have the edge over India when it comes to preparing mega-events. (SportBusiness International)
Softball snubs joint baseball bid for Olympic status - 10 Aug 2010
The International Softball Federation said yesterday it has rejected baseball's latest offer to join together in a bid for Olympic reinstatement. (SportBusiness International)
Water flowing at London 2012 canoe slalom venue - 17 Aug 2010
Water is now flowing at the Lee Valley White Water Canoe Centre, the venue for the London 2012 Canoe Slalom events. The venue is on track to be completed later this year and will be the first brand new 2012 venue to be finished. (London 2012)
Greenwich Park ground preparation work begins for 2012 - 9 Aug 2010
Work has begun at Greenwich Park to make it ready to host the Olympic Equestrian competition in 2012. The work will be carried out by sub-contractors working on behalf of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), in association with The Royal Parks. (London 2012)
Sports Development
Sector Strategic Training Plan - Have your say on the sector's needs - Aug 2010
Over the next few months, Skills Active, with the assistance of NZRA, will be developing a Strategic Training Plan for the Sport, Fitness and Recreation Sector for the TEC. The final plan, which will be completed by the end of 2010, is intended as a guiding document for the whole sector and all those involved in education and training.
NZRA is running forums and a survey to gather feedback from the recreation and sport sector. An online survey will be sent directly to organisation reps, with nationwide forums on the following dates:
Mon 30 August Dunedin
Tues 31 August Christchurch
Tues 7 September Wellington
Mon 13 September Manukau
Tues 14 September North Shore
Wed 15 September Rotorua
To register for a forum (no charge!) please email your details to Kirsten at NZRA k.malpas@nzrecreation.org.nz, noting which forum you wish to attend.
Refocus of Hockey New Zealand's capability - 17 Aug 2010
In conjunction with the announcement of Ramesh Patel concluding his time at Hockey New Zealand at the end of 2010 after 22 years of dedicated service, along with the development of the Hockey Strategy nd Whole of Hockey Plan, the time is right to realign our capability to enable hockey to deliver these plans. (Hockey New Zealand)
Alan Isaac's ICC Vice-Presidency nomination confirmed - 10 Aug 2010
New Zealand Cricket Chairman Alan Isaac's nomination for the ICC Vice-Presidency was unanimously endorsed by the ICC Executive Board and the full ICC Council today. (New Zealand Cricket)
Mark Sorenson honoured - 16 Aug 2010
New Zealand's most decorated softballer Mark Sorenson will receive another honour when the International Softball Congress admits him to the ISC Hall of Fame at the annual championships in Midland, Michigan. (Softball New zealand)
Cricket legend Bradman stands test of time - 9 Aug 2010
The late Sir Donald Bradman has had his cricketing prowess put to the test by academics at the University of Queensland and the University of Ulster. Following a highly sophisticated mathematical analysis of the batting record of Sir Donald, Brian Lara, Douglas Jardine, Vinod Kambla and others, the experts found that Bradman retains his crown as the greatest batsman in history. (Alpha Galileo, Europe)
Clubs capitalise on Club Smart smarts - 11 Aug 2010
More than 50 clubs in Manukau now benefit from Club Smart programme that helps them manage various issues including volunteer and member recruitment and retention, funding, facilities and legal responsibilities. (Manukau City Council, NZ)
Tennis connecting recreation, schools and clubs - Summer 2010 (PDF)
Over the past 10 years, Tennis Canada has created and been implementing a strategy that is inspiring the growth and development of tennis in Canada by fostering integration at all levels of the tennis "system" and focusing on physical literacy. Through the Building Tennis Communities (BTC) strategy, Tennis Canada has increased linkages between clubs, schools and community recreation in communities across the country. (Canadian Sport for Life)
Sport's heavyweight contribution to the English economy - 16 Aug 2010
Growth in the sport sector has outstripped the English economy as a whole over the past two decades, new research has revealed. The sport economy's annual contribution has reached 16.668 billion pounds - increasing 140% in real terms between 1985 and 2008. (Sport England)
The Social and Community Value of Football - Apr 2010
In 2008, Supporters Direct commissioned Substance to conduct a research project about the social and community value of football. (Supporters Direct, UK)
Efficiency boost for English public sector sports planners - 16 Aug 2010
Sport England has announced the creation of five new groups of approved suppliers to help organisations involved in sport improve the way they plan facilities provision and drive efficiency savings. Sport England set up the groups to drive its own efficiency savings and ensure continuing high standards of quality but this is now being opened up to our partners. (Sport England)
Warning over post-2012 financial headache - 17 Aug 2010
Britain's athletes may not feel the full force of the Government's planned budget cuts until after the 2012 Olympics, according to experts. But sportsmen and women have been warned they will increasingly be forced to look to private sponsorship as their funding is cut after the Games. (Sports City)
Making the most of the 2010 FIFA World Cup - 1 Aug 2010
Several initiatives focusing on the social dimensions of football took place during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Three examples are highlighted in this article. (The International Platform on Sport and Development)
Beijing - the legacy continues - 9 Aug 2010
On Sunday 8th August – the two year anniversary of the start of the Beijing Olympics – the Water Cube was reopened to the public as Asia's largest indoor water park. (World Architecture News)
WADA set to launch officially Play True Generation Program - 13 Aug 2010
On the eve of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, August 14–26, WADA is set to officially launch its Play True Generation Program. The Program, which was piloted during the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India, challenges young athletes to be a generation of clean athletes. (WADA)
Goalline technology debate in October - 11 Aug 2010
Goalline technology is on the agenda for the International Football Association Board's October meeting, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said today at a news conference in Singapore. (SportBusiness International)
Sports Science, Medicine and Coaching
How to use the beach to maximise training performance - 19 Aug 2010
The best thing about having a series of beach based workouts is that you can then take that to any beach in the world. (Peak Performance)
Speed training tips to ensure maximum speed performance - 18 Aug 2010
Speed training works best when you are not tired. So, if getting faster is your number one priority it should be done at the beginning of the training week, and at the beginning of your training sessions. (Peak Performance)
Sports science update: Score one for stretching - 9 Aug 2010
The best way to increase your tolerance for eccentric strain in running is to run. Practicing fast running and downhill running is especially effective in boosting eccentric loading tolerance. But a new study by Taiwanese researchers suggests that stretching may also help, at least with the eccentric strain of weightlifting. (Competitor Running)
Low-load high volume resistance exercise stimulates muscle protein synthesis more than high-load low volume resistance exercise in young men - 9 Aug 2010
The study aimed to determine the effect of resistance exercise intensity (% 1 repetition maximum—1RM) and volume on muscle protein synthesis, anabolic signaling, and myogenic gene expression. (PLoS one)
High compliance to injury prevention training reduces injury risk significantly - Aug 2010
Positive attitudes towards injury prevention correlated with high compliance and lower injury risk. This is the good news from a new paper recently published in British Journal of Sports Medicine. (Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norway)
Researchers develop improved microelectromechanical systems devices for sport, electronics and defense - 12 Aug 2010
Tiny sensors known as accelerometers are everywhere. The near-weightless technology can measure the impact of a dangerous tackle on a football player's helmet, control the flow of highway and runway traffic, or analyze a golf pro's swing. (Medical News Today)
Save your knees by landing on your toes - 12 Aug 2010 (PDF)
A new study from UC Davis shows that changes in training can reduce shear forces on knee joints and could help cut the risk of developing ACL tears. The research was published online in the Journal of Biomechanics. (Medical News Today)
Athletes undergoing tissue transplant surgery for knee damage have bright future - 12 Aug 2010
Athletes with bone and cartilage knee damage who are treated with transplanted tissue can return to sports after surgery, according to a study reported recently at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (ScienceDaily)
Head trauma in pro athletes linked to motor neuron disease - 18 Aug 2010
Professional athletes with repetitive head trauma and possibly others with a history of head injuries many years previously may be prone to the development of a motor neuron disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, reports a study in the September Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, (Medical News Today)
Active Communities
Wanaka sports facility update - 12 Aug 2010
Work on the proposed Wanaka Sports Facility is continuing in response to the Wanaka community’s request for green field sites to be further considered, Queenstown Lakes District Council community services general manager Paul Wilson said. (Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ)
Christchurch Public Open Space Strategy - 13 August 2010
The Public Open Space Strategy that outlines the long-term strategy for the Council to maintain and manage public open space, was adopted by the Council recently. (Christchurch City Council, NZ)
Does social capital promote physical activity? A population-based study in Japan - 12 Aug 2010
The aim of this study was to examine the association between individual-level social capital and physical activity. (PLoS one)
Effects of perceived neighborhood characteristics and use of community facilities on physical activity of adults with and without disabilities - Sep 2010
Using data from the 2004 Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the authors investigated whether the physical activity behaviors of people with disabilities are related to their perceptions of the characteristics of the built environment and whether this relationship differs from that of people without disabilities. (Preventing Chronic Disease, CDC, US)
'Inclusive and Active 2' is launched - 10 Aug 2010
The new five year sport and physical activity strategy for disabled people in London has been launched and presents a vision of active disabled Londoners. (English Federation Of Disability Sport, UK)
Recreation
Motu trails cycleway agreement signed - 12 Aug 2010
The Department of Conservation, Gisborne District Council and Opotiki District Council signed off the $1.74 million funding agreement to develop the Motu Trails Cycleway in the Opotiki-Motu-Matawai area. (Gisborne District Council, NZ)
Hawkes Bay trail receives $1.89 million from New Zealand cycle trail project - 13 Aug 2010
Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project will sign its contract for the new Landscapes Trail at a formal event, which will be attended by Prime Minister and Tourism Minister Rt. Hon John Key in Napier today. (Ministry of Economic Development)
Brooklands lagoon area parks master and management plans approved - 13 Aug 2010
A master plan and management plans for the special natural environment of the Brooklands Lagoon/Te Riu o Te Aika Kawa area have been approved by the Christchurch City Council. (Christchurch City Council, NZ)
Sculpting a new park for Brisbane, Australia - 9 Aug 2010
The design brief for the parkland required a high quality, environmentally and user friendly, visually attractive community park on the banks of the Brisbane River. (World Architecture News)
Parks, recreation settings and physical activity - Jul 2010 (PDF)
Little is known about what specific aspects (for example, facilities, amenities, park size, and proximity) of parks are considered important to make parks and recreation settings more desirable for being active. However there is a growing body of literature dedicated to addressing these questions. (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute)
Denver's highly rated parks generate economic value - Jul 2010
A new Trust for Public Land study of the park system of Denver shows that the city's parks generate considerable economic value - both to the local government and to Denver residents. The different economic values stem from seven different measurable factors provided by the parks - clean air, clean water, tourism, direct use, health, property value, and community cohesion. (The Trust for Public Land, US)
Young People
First Youth Olympic Games officially under way in Singapore - 14 Aug 2010
The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games officially got under way today with an Opening Ceremony at the Marina Bay Floating Stadium in downtown Singapore. (The Olympic Movement)
Games legacy for Scotland - 17 Aug 2010
The next few years will be an exciting time for Scotland, with the hosting of several major sporting events: the London Olympics in 2012, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and the Ryder Cup in 2014. Learning and Teaching Scotland is working with a range of partners to develop the educational legacy of the Games. (Learning and Teaching Scotland, UK)
Now rounding third – It's LTAD! - Summer 2010 (PDF)
In 2006, Baseball Canada introduced a new format for children's baseball called Rally Cap, and it has become one of several Baseball Canada LTAD initiatives that is having a huge positive impact on the development of the game not only in Canada but internationally. (Canadian Sport for Life)
Experiences in youth sports: A comparison between players and parents' perspectives - Apr 2010 (PDF)
This paper explores the differences between players' and parents' perspectives of a youth sport experience. Results suggest that players generally tend to think more positively than parents of the youth sport program, including areas such as skill development, teamwork development, character development, sportsmanship, and fun. (Journal of Sport Administration and Supervision)
Diabetes shouldn't deter young athletes: Study - 15 Jul 2010
A new study led by York University researchers finds that young athletes with Type 1 diabetes may experience a marked decrease in performance as a result of their blood sugar levels. (physorg.com)
New Australian campaign highlights benefits of club sports for kids - 11 Aug 2010
The Australian Sports Commission's campaign 'Play for life...join a sporting club has been launched right around the country, with enthusiastic support and endorsement not only from the sporting community, but also from schools, health professionals, child psychologists and counsellors, and the media. (Australian Sports Commission)
Policies and best practice guidelines for athlete protection - 27 Jul 2010
USA Swimming's Board of Directors approved actions and put forth legislation aimed at furthering its efforts to protect member athletes. The legislation will be presented to USA Swimming's House of Delegates at the annual U.S. Aquatic Sports Convention this September. (USA Swimming)
Brain boost: Sport and physical activity enhance children's learning - May 2010
Previously, research evidence related to the relationship between physical activity or sport and learning or academic success was reported. This report however provides an update of evidence reported from Australian and international research published in peer-reviewed journals; providing summaries of intervention research, correlational studies and research reviews. (Department of Sport and Recreation, Western Australia)
Active Parent Education Kit - 2 Aug 2010
Giving parents the tools to be good role models in the sport and recreation environment will build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. The Active Parent Education Kit provides parents of Western Australia with resources to optimise their child's sport and recreation experience. (Department of Sport and Recreation, Western Australia)
Promoting early physical literacy in Alberta - Aug 2010
Regular physical activity is a vital cornerstone in leading a healthy life, for children and adults. This article addresses the importance of helping all children to achieve physical literacy at a young age and provides an update on steps being taken in Alberta by Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) and other key stakeholders to better promote physical literacy to all Albertans. (Wellspring, Alberta Centre for Active Living, Canada)
World forum on physical education - Aug 2010
The World Forum on Physical Education and 2nd Ibero American Summit on Physical Education and School Sports was held from 8-10 July, 2010. The final declaration from the event is available to download. (International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education)
Integrating physical activity into the complete school day - 9 Aug 2010
Schools can integrate physical activity throughout the school day by scheduling physical activity breaks and including physical activities during academic classes, creating opportunities for students to be active between classes, and providing physical activity before, during, and after school and through organized programs such as intramurals and recess. (National Association for Sport and Physical Education, US)
Useful Weblinks
Institute for Volunteering Research, Evidence Bank
The Evidence Bank is home to all of the Institute for Volunteering Research's publicly available research. It is an easy-to-use searchable database of their research, reports, bulletins, publications and journal articles. It currently contains almost 200 entries and will be updated on an ongoing basis.