Index
SPARC
SPARC Statement of Intent 2010-2013 - 7 Jul 2010
The Statement of Intent reflects the priorities of the Government and the Board of SPARC over the next three years. It sets out how SPARC will direct its investment into the sport and recreation sector, what SPARC intends to achieve in that time and how SPARC will show it has achieved its goals. (SPARC website)
SPARC calls for adventurers to come forward - 12 Jul 2010
Adventurers are being encouraged to turn their dreams into reality by applying for grants under the Hillary Expeditions initiative run by Sport and Recreation New Zealand. (SPARC website)
Outdoor recreation research agenda on line forum - Jul 2010
SPARC has established an on line forum to provide information and seek input on the development of an Outdoor Recreation Research Agenda (the Research Agenda). The Research Agenda will support the implementation of the Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2009-2015. The forum will be open for six weeks from 26 July to early September. The forum is likely to be re-opened again later in the year to seek further comment on the draft agenda. (SPARC website)
High Performance Sport
Wharf confirmed as Rugby World Cup showcasing hub - 16 Jul 2010
Queens Wharf will be re-developed in time for the Rugby World Cup following an agreement between the Government and the Auckland Regional Council, Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully announced today. (beehive.govt.nz)
FIFA partners thrive according to post-World Cup research - 23 Jul 2010
Exclusive research for SportBusiness by SMG Insight and YouGov, a new partnership company specialising in sports and sponsorship research, has revealed official sponsors outstripped their ambush rivals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with regards to their perception as FIFA partners. (Sportbusiness International)
2022 FIFA World Cup would be worth four times more to Australia than Sydney 2000 Olympic Games - 14 Jul 2010
With the final whistle, and the final vuvuzela, of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa still reverberating around the globe, business information research and analysis group IBISWorld has forecast what the 2022 edition of the event would be worth to the Australian economy. (Australasian Leisure Management)
Delhi Commonwealth Games ask Indian cricket for $21m - 16 Jul 2010
Commonwealth Games chief organiser Suresh Kalmadi has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India for Rs 100 crore ($21 million) compensation for refusing to postpone a Test series against Australia that clashes with the 2010 Games in New Delhi. (Sportbusiness International)
Games for Scotland programme launched - 12 Jul 2010
EventScotland and the Scottish Government today launched the 320k pounds Games for Scotland programme, designed to engage communities throughout Scotland in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. (EventScotland)
London 2012 celebrates two years to go to the Games - 27 Jul 2010
July 27 marked two years to go to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Top athletes Sir Chris Hoy, Michael Johnson and John Amaechi were on hand to help mark the milestone, showcasing the latest progress on the Olympic Park. (London 2012)
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games quarterly report - 19 Jul 2010
The Government and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) have published the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Budget Report. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK)
Up to 70,000 volunteers planned for London 2012 - 14 Jul 2010
The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee (LOCOG) has recently announced the biggest post-war volunteer recruitment campaign in the United Kingdom for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. (International Paralympic Committee)
New sports under consideration for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games - 21 Jul 2010
A total of seven new sports are currently being considered by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as additions to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games sports programme. (International Paralympic Committee)
2010 Paralympic Games factsheet - Jul 2010
The 2010 Winter Paralympics Games, officially known as the X Paralympic Games, were held in Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, March 12-21, 2010. Forty-four countries participated, an increase of five from the 2006 Paralympics in Turin, Italy. (The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability, US)
What it takes to win: Perspectives from Vancouver 2010 - Jul 2010
Inspirational stories of women coaches and athletes from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. (Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching)
Sports Development
Big change for Athletics New Zealand - 23 Jul 2010
One of the most significant administration changes in more than 100 years of New Zealand athletics was made at the sport's annual meeting in Wellington recently. The adoption of an entirely new constitution includes club representation at future annual meetings, replacing a regional voting structure that has been in place since 1902. (Athletics NZ)
BikeNZ appoints new Sponsorship Manager - 26 Jul 2010
Sales, marketing and management executive Helen Mobberley has been appointed to the new position of Sponsorship Manager for BikeNZ. BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner said the new role was a key part in the organisation's move to be less reliant on funding from gaming, to nurture and grow current commercial relationships and develop new opportunities for the sport at all levels from recreation to global success. (Bike NZ)
British sport set for major overhaul after 2012 - 27 Jul 2010
The UK government has announced plans to merge UK Sport and Sport England, the two bodies that distribute National Lottery funding, in a move that will take place after the London 2012 Olympics. (Sportbusiness International)
Red tape review for UK sports clubs - 26 Jul 2010
The Central Council of Physical Recreation, UK has been asked to conduct a review aimed at cutting the red-tape and bureaucracy that hits sports clubs and holds back participation. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK)
Group of independent sport experts: Final report on EU priorities in the field of sport - 12 Jul 2010
A group of high-level independent experts with proven experience in the area of sport and EU integration was convened earlier this year, in order to obtain a report regarding strategic choices for the implementation of the new EU competence in the field of sport. (European Commission, Sport)
Calling it like it is - 13 Jul 2010
How do officials handle highly charged scenarios? The highlighted tips to prevent and resolve conflict are central to providing a competition focused on the sport itself as opposed to the personality of those participating. (SIRC: Sport Information Resource Centre, Canada)
ENGSO manifesto on inclusive sport - Jul 2010
The European Non-Governmental Sports Organisation (ENGSO) adopted a manifesto on inclusive sport. ENGSO aims at encouraging sport organisations to raise awareness and to contribute more to the inclusive role of sport in society. (International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education)
Prime Time: The case for commercial investment in women's sport - Jul 2010
New, independent research and analysis provides strong evidence to suggest that women's sport is being overlooked and under-valued. There is a compelling case for increased investment in a market that's different to men's sport; and yet one that offers unique commercial and social potential. (Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation, UK)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
Building the coaching community across the globe: A strategy for the International Council for Coach Education for the period 2010-2015 - Consultation draft 2 - Feb 2010 (PDF)
The General Assembly of the International Council for Coach Education (ICCE) held in Beijing 2007 mandated the development of a long-term strategy, charting the key roles and strategic directions for the organisation up to 2014. This document outlines the second version of the draft strategy, based on the comments received to date. (International Council for Coach Education)
Evidence that support equality: Credential characteristics of Georgia female high school coaches - Summer 2010
The purpose of this study was to increase awareness and understanding concerning gender differences in high school athletic coaches in terms of coaching characteristics. (The Sport Journal, US Sports Academy)
Speed training: How to introduce the chaos theory to develop your sports speed - 22 Jul 2010
In the world of sport, the ability to effectively accelerate, decelerate and change direction is crucial – chaos training can help develop these vital attributes. (Peak Performance)
Plyometric training: How to make plyometrics sport specific - 23 Jul 2010
How to tailor a plyometric programme to the needs of specific sports, with the emphasis on younger athletes and the sport of basketball. (Peak Performance)
Artificial Intelligence for improving team sports - 13 Jul 2010
Researchers at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) are participating in a study to develop a system for evaluating sport performance through application of Artificial Intelligence techniques to automatically analyze the development of plays. (ScienceDaily)
The smart bike - 6 Jul 2010
Deakin University researchers have set themselves the goal of designing "The Smart Bike" ahead of the UCI world cycling championships to be held in Geelong later this year. (Deakin University, Australia)
In sport it's all in the center of gravity - 12 Jul 2010
A study of the winning times by elite athletes over the past 100 years reveals two distinct trends: not only are these athletes getting faster over time, but there is a clear divide between racers in terms of body type and race. (Medical News Today)
Effect of 28 days of creatine ingestion on muscle metabolism and performance of a simulated cycling road race - 7 Jul 2010
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of creatine supplementation on muscle metabolism and exercise performance during a simulated endurance road race was investigated. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation on strength and power performance - 19 Jul 2010
The authors of this study investigated the ergogenic effects of betaine supplementation on strength and power performance. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming XI: The 2010 International Symposium in midsummer Oslo - 16 Jul 2010
This quadrennial conference was hosted in 2010 by the Norwegian Sport University, NIH. Amongst the best performance-related presentations were a case study of a change in butterfly kicking style and large-scale longitudinal studies of talent identification and overtraining in swimmers. (Sportscience, NZ)
Is a stiff hamstring more susceptible to a strain? - 27 Jul 2010
While a stiff leg may help you run faster and jump higher, it may also make you more prone to sitting on the sideline, hints a new study of Australian Rules Football players. (Reuters Health)
Simple tool may predict athlete's risk for ligament injury - 17 Jul 2010
Athletes at high risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury can be identified through a simple, inexpensive method that can be done in a doctor's office, according a new study. The approach combines measuring the tibia (shin bone) with a standard measuring tape, weighing the patient, and using a camcorder to record the motions of the patient's knee when landing after a jump. (HealthDay News)
More than half of all ACL reconstructions could be avoided - 22 Jul 2010
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common injuries to the knee, primarily affecting young people who practise sport and often treated with surgical reconstruction. A research group from Lund University has now shown that 60 per cent of these operations could be avoided, without negatively affecting treatment outcomes. (Alpha Galileo, Europe)
After undergoing tissue transplant surgery for knee damage athletes can return to sports - 20 Jul 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 at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (Medical News Today)
Arthroscopic treatment of common hip problem allows athletes to return to play, study finds - 16 Jul 2010
Patients who undergo arthroscopic surgery for a mechanical disorder of the hip have a good chance of being able to return to their sport at a high level of competition, according to a study that will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. (ScienceDaily)
Active Communities
Newtown artificial sportsfield - 20 Jul 2010
Wellington's sporting community can look forward to fewer cancelled games as the city's newest artificial sportsfield was officially opened by Mayor Kerry Prendergast and All Black legend Andy Leslie on Saturday 24 July. (Wellington City Council, NZ)
Selecting the right artificial surface for hockey, football, rugby league and rugby union - Jul 2010
This new guidance and policy statement for selecting the appropriate artificial sport surface has been jointly developed by the national governing bodies (NGBs) of Hockey, Football, Rugby Union and Rugby League in conjunction with the Football Foundation and Sport England. (Sport England)
IOC and WHO strengthen partnership - 21 Jul 2010
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) are to step up their collaboration and streamline their efforts to promote physical activity across the globe. (The Olympic Movement)
Headline results from Sport England's survey - Jun 2010
Headline results from Sport England's survey of peoples' satisfaction with the sports they play have been published. 46 sports were included in the survey. (Sport England)
Understanding the drivers, impacts and value of engagement in culture and sport: An over-arching summary of the research - 21 Jul 2010 (PDF)
What drives engagement in culture and sport? The project covered new analysis looking at what drives engagement in culture and sport, marshalling the evidence on the impacts of engagement, and developing and deploying new ways of generating economic values for engagement. This is a high level summary of all the research. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK)
Recreation
Funding approved for eight more cycle trails - 6 Jul 2010
Funding has been confirmed ahead of schedule for the construction of eight new cycle trails under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail (NZCT) project. (Ministry of Tourism, NZ)
Off the drawing boards and on to the rail corridor - 15 Jul 2010
The Far North District Council's proposed mid-North rail trail is coming off the drawing boards and on to the rail corridor this week with the completion of a rudimentary bulldozed trail along the first stage of the route. (Far North District Council, NZ)
O Tu Wharekai recreation plan released - 26 Jul 2010
A recreation plan has been released by the Department of Conservation (DOC) which gives clear direction on recreational activities in Ashburton Lakes and the upper Rangitata River. (Department of Conservation, NZ)
Canyoning research released - 20 May 2010
In late 2009 Water Safety New Zealand and the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association commissioned this piece of research. These two organisations have considered the findings of the report and believe it sheds light on the complexity of both defining and managing emergent water and risk-bearing recreation activities. (Water Safety New Zealand)
Community green: Using local spaces to tackle inequality and improve health - 6 Jul 2010
This UK research found that people view green space as a key service, alongside housing, education and policing. Half of the 500 people interviewed reported they would do more exercise if green spaces were improved, and half expected they would have better mental health. (CABE, UK)
American beliefs associated with encouraging children's nature experience opportunities: Development and application of the EC-NES Scale - 18 Jun 2010 (PDF)
The Encouraging Children's Nature Experiences Scale (EC-NES) was created to assess adult attitudes and beliefs surrounding encouragement of children's nature experiences. The EC-NES scale was designed as a benchmarking tool to assess beliefs about the value of these experiences in four domains. (Children and Nature Network, US)
America's great outdoors: Recommendations from the Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) - 18 Jul 2010
Today's children are spending less time outdoors in nature than any generation in history. The Outdoors Alliance for Kids therefore supports the Administration's America's Great Outdoors initiative to engage the public in shaping a new conservation and recreation agenda that meets the needs of the 21st Century. (Outdoors Alliance for Kids, Us)
Special report on fishing and boating - Jul 2010
The Outdoor Foundation and its partner Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation reveal new boating and fishing research in this report. The Special Report, provides detailed information on fishing and boating participation by gender, age, ethnicity, income, education and geographic region. (The Outdoor Foundation, US)
Great outdoors: How the UK natural health service uses green space to improve wellbeing - Jul 2010 (PDF)
Green spaces can play a vital role in the health of the nation. Access to a park or green space can have wide-ranging benefits for our health and wellbeing. A safe, natural environment can be a break from our busy lives - a place to get some fresh air, to exercise or play - a place to go and relax. (Faculty of Public Health, UK)
Young People
Youth Olympic flame begins journey - 25 Jul 2010 (PDF)
The Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame got under way recently in Olympia, Greece, with the lighting of the flame at an official ceremony outside the famed Temple of Hera. (NZOC)
Maori junior surfers receive high performance coaching - 21 Jul 2010
Pukehina Marae was the venue last weekend for the first Rangatahi Maori Surfers Development Wananga. Sixteen of New Zealand's top Maori juniors surfers aged between 8 and 16 were selected to attend an Elite training camp under the watchful eye of Surfing New Zealand High Performance Coach Lee Ryan (Tauiwi) and Maori Development Coach Daniel Proctor (Ngati Uepohatu). (Surfing NZ)
Parent's guide to talent development - 17 July 2010
Talent development is a process and developing the proper psychological skills and mental approach is as important as developing one's vertical jump or shooting mechanics. (Podium Sports Journal)
Exploring family child care as a context for physical activity - Jul 2010
Emerging evidence suggests that young children are very inactive during child care. This study aimed to increase understanding of the family child care environment as it relates to the promotion of physical activity and motor skill development for young children. (Physical and Health Education Academic Journal)
Preschool children's level of proficiency in motor skills and the level of their physical fitness as adolescents - Summer 2010
The purpose of this longitudinal research study was twofold: a) to determine if a relationship existed between the level of motor skill proficiency among children at preschool and the level of physical fitness in adolescence and b) to determine if the embedding of learned motor patterns associated with physical activity correlated with physical fitness longitudinally. (The Sport Journal, US Sports Academy)
Active play is important for children's physical activity - 20 Jul 2010
Active play makes a significant contribution to children's physical activity and could play an important part in the health of future generations, a new study has found. (University of Bristol, UK)
Students with disabilities: More information and guidance could improve opportunities in physical education and athletics - 23 Jun 2010
Certain federal laws help ensure that kindergarten-12th grade schools provide students with disabilities opportunities to participate in physical education and extracurricular athletics equal to those of their peers. However, national associations have questioned whether students with disabilities receive opportunities similar to their peers. (US Government Accountability Office)
Is participation in after-school physical activity associated with increased total physical activity?: A study of high school pupils in the Czech Republic - 13 Jul 2010
This study assessed the physical activity levels and its variability across days, months and seasons of two groups of high school pupils: those who did and those who did not participate in regular organized after-school physical activity. (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
ESSEC study reveals strong link between gaming and playing real sports - 19 Jul 2010
Thierry Lardinoit, Professor of Marketing at ESSEC Business School, is the author of a study that has found that playing sports videogames can increase participation in real sports, especially among young men and boys. (ESSEC Business School, France)
The developmental experiences of adolescent females in structured basketball programs - Jul 2010
The purpose of the present study was to determine whether adolescent females had unique developmental experiences in different types of basketball programs. (Physical and Health Education Academic Journal)
Those who exercise when young have stronger bones when they grow old - 15 Jul 2010
The positive effects of exercise while growing up seem to last longer than previously believed. New findings suggest that physical activity when young increases bone density and size. (ScienceDaily)
Child Protection Recommendations - Jul 2010
The International Alliance for Youth Sports (IAYS) has developed Child Protection Recommendations in an attempt to shield children from abuse while participating in sport. The recommendations include ideas for how an organisation can prepare their own strategies and policies, from developing codes of ethics to training of volunteers. (International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education)
Violence against children in Sport: A new UNICEF Report released - 21 Jul 2010
A study released today by UNICEF's Innocenti Research Centre states that child protection and violence prevention are not embedded in sport delivery systems, and finds worrying knowledge gaps among sports teachers and coaches. (UN Sport for Development and Peace)
Useful Weblinks
VolunteerNet goes live
VolunteerNet is a new website to help connect volunteers with event-based volunteering opportunities, while at the same time providing a free online volunteer recruitment and management tool for event organisers. VolunteerNet has been developed by New Zealand Major Events, which is part of the Ministry of Economic Development.
Demographics of New Zealand's Pacific population
Statistics NZ has released this latest report which examines the place of New Zealand's Pacific peoples in a number of sectors. The objective is to inform understanding of how best to improve outcomes for Pacific peoples, a fast-growing population.
SIRC newsletter: Sportsmanship and fair play
Sportsmanship is something simple, visible, tangible and attainable. It's when teammates, opponents, coaches and officials treat each other with respect. When everyone shares a mutual respect for the game it's easy to see the benefits that participants in sports gain about fair play, courtesy and grace in loosing.