High Performance Sport
New Zealand secures Triathlon World Championships for 2012 - 28 Jun 2010
The International Triathlon Union has confirmed that Triathlon New Zealand will host the 2012 Dextro Energy ITU World Champs Series Grand Final with the New Zealand bid chosen over others from Asia, the Middle East and Europe. (Triathlon NZ)
Taekwon-Do World Champs receives boost - 2 Jul 2010
New Zealand Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee announced today that the government will contribute $100,000 towards the ITF Taekwon-Do World Championships in March 2011, following news that New Zealand will host the event in Wellington in March next year. (beehive.govt.nz)
Bangladesh to host cricket's World Twenty20 in 2014 - 2 Jul 2010
The International Cricket Council yesterday awarded the next two World Twenty20 tournaments in 2012 and 2014 to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh respectively. (SportBusiness International)
The World Cup and economics 2010 - May 2010 (PDF)
The 2010 book on the World Cup and Economics is the fourth since the 1998 finals in Paris. A companion to the competition, the book includes a number of new features and contributions from guests such as former South African Central Bank Governor Tito Mboweni, Andy Anson, CEO of England's 2018 World Cup bid, and Kevin Roberts, editorial director of Sports Business Group. (Goldman Sachs)
Wait is over: Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi arrives in India - 25 Jun 2010
The Queen's Baton 2010 Delhi has arrived in India! The long wait came to an end as Pakistan Olympic Association President handed over the baton to the Chairman, Organising Committee Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi and IOA President at the historic Wagah Border between India and Pakistan. (Delhi 2010)
Commonwealth organisers worried about cricket clash - 5 Jul 2010
Delhi 2010 chairman Suresh Kalmadi has written to Indian sports minister MS Gill amid concerns that the scheduling of Australia's cricket tour to India will take some of the focus off the Commonwealth Games. (Sports City)
Olympic Stadium's 2012th seat fitted by IOC President - 5 Jul 2010
The 2012th seat was today fitted in the Olympic Stadium by IOC President Jacques Rogge. Mr Rogge was joined by London 2012 Organising Committee Chair Sebastian Coe and Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins. (London 2012)
London 2012 venues continue to transform east London's skyline - 2 Jul 2010
The 12,000-seat Basketball Arena has had its external cladding completed and the Handball Arena's main structure is now in place. (London 2012)
Talent identification in soccer: A critical analysis of contemporary psychological research - Jan/Feb 2010
Elite athletes in all sports have to repeatedly perform under high pressure and at a high level. This possibly is best exemplified by the scrutiny applied to the world of the professional association football player. It is therefore not surprising that many researchers argue that psychological characteristics often distinguish those successful at the highest standard from their less successful counterparts. (SIRC, Canada)
Sports Development
Sharad Pawar becomes seventh ICC President - 1 Jul 2010
Sharad Pawar, the former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), assumed the role of ICC President in succession to David Morgan at the recent ICC's Annual Conference in Singapore. (NZ Cricket)
Badminton New Zealand Chief Executive moving on - 5 Jul 2010
The Board of Badminton New Zealand has announced that Mike Kernaghan tendered his resignation as Chief Executive of Badminton New Zealand to take up a position in the non-profit sector in his home town of Dunedin. (Badminton NZ)
New Zealander Honoured by IOC - 24 Jun 2010
The IOC has honoured New Zealand sportswoman, Susie Simcock, for her contribution to the promotion of women in sport. (NZOC)
New era for iconic New Zealand Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge - 2 Jul 2010
A new principal partner and new events herald the start of a new era for the popular Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which is expected to again attract over 10,000 riders from around New Zealand and the world. (Bike NZ)
From baseball to rugby: Historic sporting links continue - 29 Jun 2010
The visit to Wellington on Wednesday 30 June by USA Eagles rugby team management, to check out facilities and preparation for Rugby World Cup 2011, continues a long and interesting tradition of US sporting links with the Newtown area. (Wellington City Council, NZ)
Managers matter: Who manages New Zealand's volunteers - Jun 2010 (PDF)
This report presents a profile of the volunteer management profession in New Zealand. It also provides a picture of those organisations who employ either paid or unpaid staff to manage their volunteer workforce. (Volunteering New Zealand)
The importance of volunteerism in sport and in the advancement of the Millennium Development goals - 30 Jun 2010
The Head of the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace recently addressed the 2010 Annual Session of the Executive Board of UNDP and UNFPA at the UN Office at Geneva. The presenters spoke about the power and necessity of volunteerism in sport and in 'sport for development' programmes. (United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace)
FIFA under pressure to U-turn stance over goalline technology - 28 Jun 2010
Football's world governing body FIFA is under pressure again to introduce goalline video technology after Frank Lampard's shot was deemed not to be a goal despite hitting the ground at least a foot over the line in England's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Germany. (SportBusiness International)
Automated scoring system for boxing begins to hit its mark - 2 Jul 2010
Scientific experts at the Australian Institute of Sport are exploring ways to use micro-technology monitoring sensors in the development of new automated scoring systems that could aid the future judging and safety of both men's and women's boxing. (Australian Institute of Sport)
Community Attitudes Survey: Healthy sporting environments - 4 May 2010
These VicHealth survey results provide evidence of Victorian community support for reducing community sporting clubs' reliance on alcohol and junk food sales and sponsorship. (VicHealth, Australia)
Gender equality in and through sport discussed at UN meetings - 29 Jun 2010
The role of sport in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls through innovative partnerships was discussed between senior representatives of the Olympic Movement, the United Nations, governments, the private sector, foundations, NGOs and academia in New York during a dedicated breakfast meeting. (The Olympic Movement)
Sport Science, Medicine and Coaching
Sheila Galloway announced as Swimming New Zealand's new Coaching Development Manager - 24 Jun 2010
The Coaching Development Manager position is a SPARC funded role which ensures coaching development is progressing according to the strategic plan. (Swimming NZ)
WADA launches CoachTrue: New anti-doping learning tool - 23 Jun 2010
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has launched CoachTrue, a computer-based anti-doping learning tool for coaches. CoachTrue is intended to assist anti-doping organizations, coaching associations and universities in providing anti-doping education to coaches. (WADA)
IPC Sport Science Committee sets priorities - 25 Jun 2010
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Sport Science Committee met this week to explore its current agenda and the priorities for the next four years in Bad Honnef, Germany. (International Paralympic Committee)
Finding that extra energy - 1 Jul 2010
Whether it be a seemingly never ending fifth set or a tense period of extra time, the ability of athletes to keep going, both physically and mentally, can be crucial in achieving success at the very highest level. (English Institute of Sport)
Maintaining good health: The exercise, training and immunity story - Jul 2010
Coaches, athletes and medical personnel are seeking guidelines on the ways to reduce the risk of illness in athletes preparing for high level competition. The aim of this article is to outline some strategies for reducing the problems of illness and infection in athletes. (Canadian sport Centre Ontario)
Winning a soccer penalty shootout: Cheering convincingly increases chances of success - 24 June 2010
Behaviour is contagious. 'The more convincingly someone celebrates their success with their teammates, the greater the chances that team will win', according to Dr. Gert-Jan Pepping, Sport Scientist and lecturer in Human Movement Sciences at the University of Groningen. (AlphaGalileo, Europe)
Early detection of soccer penalty kicks revealed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - 27 Jun 2010
In the split second before foot meets ball, a soccer player's body betrays whether a penalty kick will go left or right, according to recent research in cognitive science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. (Medical News Today)
Australian Institute of Sport provides expert support to Berlei bra technology - 28 Jun 2010
The results are in: Berlei's soon-to-be-released 'Ultimate Performance' sports bra has delivered the greatest average bounce reduction of all bras according to recent testing at the Australian Institute of Sport. (Australian Institute of Sport)
High doses of caffeine directly increase muscle power and endurance during relatively low-intensity activity - 30 Jun 2010
New research shows increased muscle performance in sub-maximal activities, which in humans can range from everyday activities to running a marathon. (Medical News Today)
Potentially fatal new trend in performance enhancement: A cautionary note on nitrite - 29 Jun 2010
Considerable interest has been shown by athletes and scientists in the potential for nitric oxide and associated vasodilators to enhance performance. This study aims to explore potential misuse of vasodilators by the athletes, and to highlight the growing concern over these agents. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)
Chocolate milk and other strategies for athletes at the 2010 ACSM Annual Meeting - 24 Jun 2010
This report provides a synopsis of the annual conference of the American College of Sports Medicine which was noteworthy for the domination by sports nutrition research. Topics discussed in this synopsis are acute effects, nutrition, tests and technology, and training. (Sportscience)
ECSS Position Statement 2009: Prevention of acute sports injuries - Jul 2010
The present paper reviews the main risk factors and mechanisms for acute injuries to the head, upper and lower extremities, as well as the evidence supporting various strategies to prevent them. The target audience for this paper is everyone involved in protecting the health of the athlete, including coaches, referees, medical staff, sports governing bodies, as well as athletes themselves. (Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norway)
Sports science update: Take a load off - 6 Jul 2010
Past research has shown that runners who land harder get injured more often. Two newly published studies provide evidence that runners can make simple changes to soften their landing when they run and thereby potentially reduce their injury risk. (Competitor Running)
Failed ACL repairs: More common than you may think - 29 Jun 2010
In the US an estimated 400,000 people suffer an ACL injury each year, requiring primary reconstruction surgery to repair the injury. Unfortunately, 18,000 to 35,000 of those repairs will fail and require revisions, which are additional surgeries for reconstruction. (Medical News Today)
Are lefty pitchers more injury-prone? - 25 Jun 2010
There appear to be differences in the throwing motions of lefty and righty baseball pitchers that could impact their susceptibility to injury. In a study of college pitchers, researchers found that the mechanics of a lefty's motion resulted in more stress on the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow called the humerus. The study is published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine. (Reuters Health)
About 1/3 of the World Cup alpine, freestyle and snowboard athletes sustain a time–loss injury each season - Jul 2010
The aim of this study was to describe and compare the injury risk to World Cup athletes in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, cross-country skiing and Nordic combined. (Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Norway)
Active Communities
Rotorua Aquatic Centre first in country to take gold environment award - 5 Jul 2010
Rotorua Aquatic Centre has become the first swimming facility in New Zealand to achieve Qualmark's prestigious Enviro-Gold Award, which recognises the country's highest standards in environmental practice. (Rotorua District Council, NZ)
Retrofitting suburbia: A role for parks - 6 Jul 2010
A TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) presentation on retrofitting suburbia. If you're interested in how metro areas can retrofit their suburbs into places that turn underused parking lots, mall sites and other moribund areas into walkable places with shops, housing, parks and accessible transit, this video is worthwhile. (City Parks Blog, The Trust for Public Land, US)
Australian Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) 2009 - Jun 2010
The ERASS collects information on the frequency, duration, nature and type of physical activities that were participated in by persons aged 15 years and over for exercise, recreation or sport during the 12 months prior to interview. Participation means active 'playing' participation, and does not include coaching, refereeing and being a spectator, or activities related to work, household chores or gardening duties. (Australian Sports Commission)
Do mass participation sporting events have a role in making populations more active? - 2010
Mass sporting events are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and may have health benefits as they foster low intensity participation in a non competitive, fun environment. This report describes the initial impact of three women only mass events in Ireland as well as the effectiveness of a series of initiatives designed to boost activity among the least active participants. (Irish Sports Council)
In U.S., parents struggle to fit in exercise - 23 Jun 2010
Among Americans aged 18 to 50, those with children 18 years old or younger at home are less likely to report frequent exercise than are those with no child younger than 18 at home. Parents who have a child younger than age 4 also report lower levels of frequent exercise, than those with a child 5 to 18 years of age. (Gallup, US)
Communities on the move: Improving active living in rural North Carolina - Jun 2010 (PDF)
The Fit Together Grant Program concluded in 2009. By detailing the impetus for the project, outlining key insights resulting from the initiative, and documenting each of the five rural Fit Together projects in case study format, this report is designed to assist rural communities in promoting active living. (North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, US)
Kansas State expert creating a tool to measure how parks promote physical activity - 1 Jul 2010
Having a community park nearby can have an impact on whether neighborhood residents are physically active, according to Andrew Kaczynski, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Kansas State University. But Kaczynski says which park characteristics encourage the most activity is not as clear. (Kansas State University, US)
Active Alberta: A recreation, active Living and sport policy (draft) - May 2010 (PDF)
The draft policy is based on research regarding the many benefits associated with participation in recreation, active living and sport, such as improved mental and physical health, improved education outcomes, strengthened communities and economic benefits. (Government of Alberta, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Canada)
Athletes proven to live longer - 28 Jun 2010
Athletes tend to live longer than the general population, a new study has found. The study featuring in the July 2010 issue of The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, examined the mortality and longevity of elite athletes to understand the association between exercise training and survival rates. (Sports Medicine Australia)
Experiences of physical activity during pregnancy in Danish nulliparous women with a physically active life before pregnancy: A qualitative study - 29 Jun 2010
The aim of the present study was to elucidate experiences and views of leisure time physical activity during pregnancy in nulliparous women who were physically active prior to their pregnancy. (BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth)
Recreation
PM opens first stage of Ruapehu-Whanganui cycle trail - 2 Jul 2010
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key officially opened the first stage of the 200-kilometre Ruapehu to Whanganui New Zealand Cycle Trail project at Old Coach Road, Ohakune recently. (beehive.govt.nz)
Huge increase in Coastal Walkway users - 2 Jul 2010
In June the number of people on the Coastal Walkway rose 34 per cent on the same month last year, with an 82 per cent increase in users on the section between Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park and the Waiwhakaiho car park. (New Plymouth District Council, NZ)
Guidelines for outoor access published - 30 Jun 2010 (PDF)
The New Zealand Walking Access Commission today published guidelines for access to New Zealand's beaches, lakes, rivers, and mountains. The New Zealand Outdoor Access Code (PDF) is available from the New Zealand Walking Access Commission website. (New Zealand Walking Access Commission)
Department of Conservation recreation facility fee review - 2 July 2010
The New Zealand Department of Conservation has completed its annual review of hut fees for backcountry walks and Great Walks such as the Heaphy, Routeburn, Kepler and Milford tracks. (Department of Conservation, NZ)
Snapshot: Recreational water quality in New Zealand - 1 Jul 2010
The purpose of national reporting on recreational water quality is to produce information that will raise the level of knowledge about the state of New Zealand's recreational waters, identify national trends in recreational water quality, and quantify the effect of human activities on recreational waters. (Ministry for the Environment, NZ)
Scared off: Crime myth vs. reality on rail trails - 24 Jun 2010
Despite the reality that trails are no more dangerous than their surrounding areas, this misperception is a serious issue that discourages trail use. (Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, US)
Expanding the palette - Summer 2010
As America's population become more diverse, will its changes be reflected in park visitors? With the imminent release of the latest comprehensive study of park visitation demographics, new leadership at the Department of the Interior and the Park Service refocuses the complex debate over the whys and what-to-dos about the longstanding under-representation of minorities in the parks. (National Parks Magazine, National Parks Conservation Association, US)
Time for change in outdoor learning - May 2010 (PDF)
A summary of evidence on the value of the outdoors and a challenge to deliver fair access for all. (English Outdoor Council)
Young People
Wriggle and Rhyme welcomes babies and toddlers into libraries for active movement - 5 Jul 2010
Wriggle and Rhyme Active Movement for Early Learning is unique — there's no evidence of a comparable programme anywhere in the world. With around 60,000 births a year in New Zealand, and with active movement providing core foundation skills for life — there's certainly good incentive for other regions to follow this successful Auckland initiative. (SPARC website)
Te Whakakura o Rakaumangamanga: A school at one with its community - 5 Jul 2010
This case study introduces Te Wharekura o Rakaumangamanga, its community and activities — including the Marae Games — and tries to show how everything links together. (SPARC website)
All Whites highlight importance of developing children's sporting expertise - 25 Jun 2010
The performance of the All Whites in this year's FIFA World Cup highlights the importance of developing children's sporting expertise through effective teaching, according to physical education researcher Dennis Slade. (Massey University, NZ)
Olympic-style sports competition - 28 Jun 2010
A new Olympic and Paralympic-style sports competition for young people across England was announced today. The competition is a key part of the Government's plans to generate a lasting sporting legacy from hosting the London 2012 Games and to make sporting opportunities available to everyone. (Department for Culture, Media and Sport, UK)
Community size in youth sport settings: Examining developmental assets and sport withdrawal - May 2010
The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between young athletes' community size, developmental assets, and sport involvement. (Physical and Health Education Academic Journal)
Square eyes and couch potatoes: Children's participation in screen-based activities - 24 Jun 2010
Using data from the 2009 ABS survey of Children's Participation in Cultural and Leisure Activities this article investigates the time that Australian children aged 5-14 years are spending on screen-based activities and how this may interact with their participation in organised sport and other physical recreation activities. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Teenage physical activity reduces risk of cognitive impairment in later life - 1 Jul 2010
Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important. (ScienceDaily)
Useful Weblinks
Keeping it legal E Ai Ki Te Ture
This publication provides New Zealand community organisations, groups, trusts and societies with simple, accurate information about their legal obligations. Although it was originally produced in print, the resource has been updated online as laws change, and new users can access the full resource at keepingitlegal.net.nz.
Canadian Sport Centre Ontario: Swimming science
Sport science for swimming - physiology, biomechanics, nutrition and psychology. Includes the Swim Science Blog and a section on Swimming Research.