• Young People
• Community Sport and Recreation
• Outdoor Recreation
• High Performance
• Organisational Capability
• Sports Science and Technology
• Off the Bench: Talent Identification and Development
• Useful Weblinks

Young People

Mainland youngsters get football fix - 10 Nov 2014Mainland Football are now running six Federation Skill Centres across Christchurch to help every young player to be "the best they can be" at a younger age. (NZ Football) Exposure unveils potential new Optimist design - 20 Nov 2014Industrial design student Tim Arbuckle wants more young people to get into the sport of sailing and he believes he may have the design to get nine to 15 year-olds messing about in boats. (Massey University) School sports charges are keeping some American kids on the sidelines - 20 Jan 2015 (PDF)Many American children can't afford to participate in school sports this new survey finds. Only 30 percent of lower-income parents report their child (12-17 years) played school sports, compared with 51 percent of higher income families. This article goes on to discuss the implications. (University of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital) Developing physical activity habits in schools for active lifestyle among children and adolescents - July 2014 (PDF)This Canadian paper outlines a framework to support the development of physical activity habits among children and adolescents in school. Practical strategies are provided to support efforts to nurture students' physical activity habits. (PHEnex) Shared use of school facilities: a systematic observation of facility use and physical activity - March 2014This US study was one of the first to examine the impact of shared use of school facilities on physical activity levels. The presentation can be downloaded by clicking on the DOWNLOAD icon. (Active Living Research) Long-term importance of fundamental motor skills: a 20-year follow-up study - 2014 (PDF)This Canadian study investigated the potential long-term association of motor skill proficiency at six years of age and self-reported physical activity at age 26. (Human Kinetics) Does sport help children and young adults with ADHD? - 4 Nov 2014Studies have shown that activities that tax the attention system and require an intense focus on body movements such as gymnastics, swimming, diving, wrestling, tennis, ballet and martial arts can be great for kids and young adults with ADHD. (SIRC) New study finds participation in recreation programmes improves resilience in children - 20 Nov 2014 The study (PDF) involved a questionnaire and more than 200 children in recreation programmes across Canada and showed improvement in core character traits such as adaptability and social connectedness. (Leisure Information Network)

Community Sport and Recreation

Gaming funding for sport and physical activity/recreation 2012: Auckland region - 15 Oct 2014 (PDF)This short report is an analysis of gaming society funding distributed to the Auckland region by the four societies that distribute the majority of grants to the sport and recreation sector. (Sport and Recreation Knowledge Library) Community Matters - October 2014 (PDF)This special edition introduces the new online system for requesting Lottery, Crown and Trust grants and advisory services administered by the Department of Internal Affairs. (Community Matters) Ngā  Hua ā  Tāne Rore: the benefits of kapa haka - 3 Dec 2014 (PDF)This report identifies that kapa haka is unique to our identity as New Zealanders and contributes positively to employment, economic growth, social cohesion, the acceptance and encouragement of diversity, and creative thinking in a range of fields. (Ministry for Culture and Heritage & Te Matatini) Active Scotland outcomes framework - December 2014This framework describes the key outcomes desired for sport and physical activity in Scotland over the next 10 years. Key data and evidence informing progress towards the outcomes is available by clicking on each outcome to see relevant indicators. (Scottish Government) 7.5 million watch launch of This Girl Can - 12 Jan 2015Sport England's This Girl Can campaign to get more women and girls active -whatever their age, shape or ability - has launched to a clamorous reception on social media. (Sport England) Talk to me: understanding how to increase participation in sport and physical activity amongst disabled people in the UK - October 2014 (PDF)This report used a collaborative approach to understand the needs and desires of disabled people in sport and physical activity and how to create attractive activities and communications. A new guide, "Being Active" (PDF) talks directly to disabled people and provides advice on where to start. (English Federation of Disability Sport) (Holdover)

Outdoor Recreation

DOC to develop new guidelines - 21 Jan 2015The Department of Conservation is taking steps to ensure a more consistent approach to handling applications for commercial concessions in national parks. (Department of Conservation) Analysis of adventure tourist motivation: the case of China-born international students in New Zealand universities - 2014 (PDF)This investigation uses a quantitative methodology to determine China-born international university students' motivations to engage in New Zealand adventure tourism. Findings can be used by the New Zealand tourism sector to market adventure travel experiences to Chinese overseas students. (Auckland University of Technology) Lonely Planet kudos for Rimutaka Trail - 15 Jan 2015The Rimutaka Cycle Trail has been named one of the world's hottest travel experiences for 2015 by travel guide Lonely Planet. (Nga Haerenga) English monitor of engagement with the natural environment - 13 Aug 2014 (PDF)This survey collects information about the ways that people engage with the natural environment, such as visiting the countryside, enjoying green spaces in towns and cities, watching wildlife and volunteering to help protect the natural environment. (GOV.UK) Scotland's People and Nature Survey 2013/14 - 19 Dec 2014 (PDF)The number of Scottish people visiting the outdoors for recreation has gone up, with the estimated number of visits at its highest in recent years, according to this report which interviewed 12,000 adults about their use of the natural environment. (Scottish Natural Heritage) The effect of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on health and natural environment engagement in the Lee Valley - 12 Aug 2014This report examined how indicators of physical activity and natural environment engagement changed in light of the Games for the people of the Lee Valley. (Natural England) Service Skills Australia outdoor recreation discussion paper - January 2015 (PDF)This document reviews a broad range of content from different activity areas to help determine the scope of work for updating the Australian outdoor recreation qualifications, skill sets and units of competency. (Service Skills Australia)

High Performance

ICC announces venue allocation criteria for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 quarter finals - 19 Jan 2015The International Cricket Council has announced the venue allocation criteria for the quarter-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, which will be held from 14 February to 29 March. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015) New Zealand football greats sign up as World Cup ambassadors - 25 Jan 2015A roll call of current and former New Zealand internationals has been unveiled. The Ambassadors are for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015 kicking off in May. (FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015) Fans flock to FIFA Women's World Cup tour - 17 Jan 2015Between January and the end of March, the FIFA Women's World Cup Winner's Trophy is attempting to emulate Phileas Fogg, by travelling the world in eighty days, on the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Live Your Goals Tour. (FIFA) Rugby World Cup's The Pack set to be named - 19 Jan 2015Rugby World Cup 2015 tournament organisers, England Rugby 2015, have made the first set of offers to join The Pack, the 6,000 volunteers who will welcome the world to England, Cardiff and the game of rugby. (Rugby World Cup 2015) Italy planning 2023 Rugby World Cup bid as part of major event triple header - 6 Dec 2014A bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup could form part of a three-pronged Italian effort to host major sporting events, with plans to stage the 2022 Ryder Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics also in place. (inside the games) Rio 2016 ticketing programme launched - 16 Jan 2015A new web portal enabling spectators to secure tickets to Rio 2016 Olympic Games has been launched by the Organising Committee. (Olympic Movement) Boston 2024 documents - 21 Jan 2015The Boston 2024 Organising Committee has released six detailed plans of the city's bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in nine years' time. (Boston 2024) British Olympic Delivery Authority dissolution statement - 2 Dec 2014 (PDF)The UK's Olympic Delivery Authority, which was responsible for the 2012 Olympics in London, has set out its record in a statement to mark the organisation's dissolution. It tracks its achievements in twelve key areas, from clearing the Olympic Park site and tackling pollution, to securing a legacy for future generations from sports and leisure facilities. (GOV.UK) IPC to eliminate need to classify athletes at a Paralympic Games - 22 Jan 2015The International Paralympic Committee has adopted a `zero classification' policy in an effort to minimise the number of athletes who need to be classified in the final days leading up to or during a Paralympic Games. (Around the Rings)

Organisational Capability

Sport, recreation and racing industries workforce development plan - August 2014 (PDF)The aim of the plan is to outline industry workforce development trends, strategies and actions that provide high-level advice to inform future strategic directions. (Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council Western Australia) 2014 Western Australia sport and recreation remuneration and benefits report - August 2014Arising from the recreation industry learning and workforce development project (PDF) this report provides industry stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of marketplace information regarding salary and other benefits for employees. (Department of Sport and Recreation, Western Australia) "VSPORT+ : a cross sectoral valorisation framework for the lifelong learning strategy in sport - March 2014 (PDF)With input from Australia and New Zealand, this project supported the concept of a qualified and competent workforce in sport and recreation through fit-for-purpose training and qualifications. (European Observatoire of Sport and Employment) Defining the trend: how increasing investment from Asia and the Middle East is turning them into sport's emerging giants - 11 Jan 2015 (PDF)Defining the trend which sees increasing investment from the Middle East into European football and from Asia into the US sport franchises, this report explores what is happening, why it is happening and what this all means for brands and rights holders in sport globally. Click on the report cover to read. (Repucom) ICC launches official fantasy league for ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 - 25 Jan 2015Cricket fans across the world can now participate in the newly-launched, official ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Fantasy League that has been designed to ensure fans can get closer to the tournament than ever before. (ICC Cricket World Cup 2015) Cricket Australia signs exclusive deal with Apple TV - 14 Jan 2015Cricket Australia has signed a deal to make high-definition cricket programming available on Apple TV. It marks the first deal for an Australian sport on a connected TV device with Cricket Australia aiming to offer fans free and immediate access to a wealth of cricketing content. (Sports Business Insider) Inactivity pandemic is impacting industry revenue - 5 Nov 2014There is overwhelming concern by more than 50 leaders in the sports, health, and fitness industries that the  €˜inactivity pandemic' is having serious negative consequences on sports participation in the U.S. and on consumer purchases of sports and fitness products. (Sports and Fitness Industry Association US) Crusaders appoint new director; announce 2014 financial result - 10 Dec 2014Crusaders Chairman Murray Ellis has stepped down from the Crusaders Board and a new board director, Natalie Thain, has been elected. (Sports Business insider)

Sports Science and Technology

The 5 most important ways technology forever changed sports in 2014 - 1 Jan 20152014 was a landmark year for technology in sports. The Sochi Winter Olympics displayed innovative new technology and the FIFA World Cup set a precedent for the global sport of soccer by putting technology at the forefront of the game on its biggest stage. (sporttechie) Students create next gen innovations - 3 Dec 2014Students of Imperial College London have created projects to solve real world engineering problems, developing equipment for para-athletes to use in their training and competition. (Sport Industry Group) World-first  €˜bionic bra' inches closer to reality - 27 Nov 2014A 'bionic bra' that relaxes when you're sitting and tightens when you run could become a manufacturing speciality for the Illawarra, thanks to pioneering work done at the University of Wollongong. (University of Wollongong) Sports scientists piecing together jigsaw puzzle of muscle growth - 8 Dec 2014Health and exercise science researchers have developed a quantitative method to better understand the signals controlling muscle growth following exercise. (University of Stirling) Genetics and sport performance: current challenges and directions to the future - March 2014 (PDF)Understanding the influence of genetics in sport is a critical step to unravel the determinants of sports excellence. This review discusses the potential and limitations of research methods on genetics of sports performance, the implications of this knowledge in "real-world" sport settings, as well as directions for future research. (Brazilian Journal of Physical Education and Sport) Ice baths: could benefits be all in the head? - 24 Nov 2014For years, elite athletes have suffered the agonies of ice baths in the belief they help the body recover from hard training and enhance performance. But, could it all be in their heads? (Victoria University, Melbourne) Eccentric hamstring exercises - they work in practice but not in theory? - 13 Dec 2014 (AUDIO 19 minutes)With hamstring strain injuries continuing to receive much attention in the literature and mainstream media, lecturer David Opar outlines some significant features of this common injury. (SoundCloud) High Performance SIRCuit - January 2015This edition highlights innovative sports science studies, including a study on competitive hardiness, and a chef advises athletes on incorporating high nutrition whole foods into their diet. (SIRC) Impact of carbohydrate nutrition on exercise metabolism and performance - March 2014 (PDF)Carbohydrate ingestion before and during exercise has consistently been reported to increase endurance exercise capacity/performance but the mechanisms responsible and optimal dose required are still debated. (Stirling University Online Research Repository)

Off the Bench: Talent Identification and Development

On the pathway to high performance - 19 Aug 2014Six Blenheim-based rowers and a Motueka paracyclist are benefiting from a new national talent development programme aimed at helping more Kiwi athletes win on the world's sporting stage. (Sport Tasman) Busy time down South with regional youth academies - 22 Dec 2014Triathlon New Zealand has hosted back to back Regional Youth Academies in Southland and Canterbury, engaging with some of the most promising young local athletes and coaches. (Tri NZ) Growing grass root talent - 18 Jan 2014 (AUDIO 38 minutes)Swimmer John Winter, Professor of Leadership at Massey University Sarah Leberman, Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome, and cricketer and coach Jack Vale talk about keen kids with the ability to one day represent their college, their region or even New Zealand on the podium. (Radio NZ National) The transition from elite junior athlete to successful senior athlete - implications for athletics high performance programmes - September 2013 (first published online 2014) (PDF)Transformation of talented New Zealand youngsters into world-class medallists and finalists is central to the mandate of national sporting organisations in pursuing success in the international arena. The question of how to transition elite junior athletes to senior elite athletes is the key question of this thesis. (Auckland University of Technology) Improving the identification and development of Australia's sporting talent - 10 Dec 2014 (PDF)Key findings from a project representing one of the most comprehensive analyses of talent identification and development ever conducted which investigates how and why non-biophysical factors also affect talent identification and development success. (Griffith University) Identifying talent - are we using the right tools? - 11 Sep 2014Identifying talent is one of sports' biggest and most profitable issues, becoming a major industry for clubs and independent agents, driving talent-development from being "by chance" to a more systematic approach. But some evidence makes us question: are we using the right tools for identifying talent? (TheSportinMind) Team selection policy checklist - November 2014 (PDF)This checklist will guide athletes, coaches and sport administrators in their review of draft team selection policies. (The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada) Relationship between performance characteristics and the selection process in youth soccer players - April 2014This study seeks to establish the anthropometric and physical profiles of elite young soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. - For full text click download link. (Journal of Human Kinetics) Validity and reliability of new agility test among elite and sub-elite under-14 soccer players - 21 April 2014Agility is a determinant component in soccer performance. This study evaluates the reliability and sensitivity of a "modified Illinois change of direction test" in 95 U-14 soccer players. (PLOS ONE) The analysis of a battery of motor tests as a predictor of future athletic performance in children of athletic school sport classes - 2014This study found that an accurate prediction of future athletic performance can be made using a limited test battery of, at most, three motor tests. This process efficiency can improve and economise efforts to identify talents. (Acta Gymnica) The superstar quest: Does youth talent predict professional success for female and male tennis players? - 14 Apr 2014 (PDF)This study addresses the question of whether being a female or male superstar at age 16 or younger predicts success as a professional tennis player. (EAFIT University, Colombia)

Useful Weblinks

Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti club operations manual This manual is divided into six modules with additional ready-to-use resource templates designed to help clubs operate more efficiently. (Sport Gisborne) Land Air Water AotearoaA partnership between councils, Cawthron Institute, Ministry for the Environment and Massey University, LAWA publishes details on fresh and beach water quality, using environmental monitoring data from all of New Zealand's regional councils and NIWA. Team USA research siteThis site includes the current Path to Excellence survey that aims to gain insight directly from Olympians on their achievement of elite-level performance and on factors related to athlete identification and development. European Observatoire of Sport and EmploymentThis organisation's role is to facilitate and support the development of the sport and active leisure sector workforce, to ensure people working and volunteering in the sector have the right skills to perform and enable the sector to fulfil its potential as a social, health and economic driver.