In the meantime, this final edition has a strong focus on the socio-economic factors that influence participation in sports and physical activity, the social benefits of sport, and the impact of sports participation on young people. The High Performance section contains one article asking the theoretical question: has the inclusion of rugby sevens as an Olympic sport already had more impact on the global game than the Rugby World Cup.

In this Relay

• Young People
• Community Sport and Recreation
• Outdoor Recreation
• High Performance
• Organisational Capability
• Sports Science and Technology
• Off the Bench: Social Value of Sport
• Useful Weblinks

Young People

Youngsters in deprived areas priced out of sporting activities - 10 Dec 2015A report (PDF) published by the London School of Economics and StreetGames has found that young people who live in poverty cannot afford to play sport. (Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK) The influence of socio-demographic factors on children's physical activity and sport - 31 Mar 2015 (PDF)This research brief summarises the findings of a Dutch study (PDF) which examined the associations of family socio-economic position and ethnicity with sport participation and outdoor play among school-aged children. (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute)Traversing myths and mountains: addressing socioeconomic inequities in the promotion of nutrition and physical activity behaviours - 14 Nov 2015 (PDF)This Australian paper provides selected examples of interventions that have addressed the fact that in developed countries, individuals experiencing socio-economic disadvantage are less likely than those more advantaged to engage in eating and physical activity behaviours conducive to optimal health. (International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity)Childhood socioeconomic position and adult leisure-time physical activity: a systematic review - 3 Jul 2015 (PDF)This British review tested the hypothesis that a lower childhood socioeconomic position is associated with less frequent leisure-time physical activity during adulthood. (International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity)British all-party group calls for play to be at the heart of 'whole child' health strategy - 13 Oct 2015A British parliamentary report (PDF) on children's play calls for play to be at the centre of a 'whole child' approach to health and well-being. The report analyses the importance of indoor and outdoor play (beyond just participation in sports) as an essential component of child health of mind and body - and also key to combating obesity. The report makes many recommendations, reflecting the work required to recognise the vital importance of play to child development and to create the environment that will reverse the strong recent trend of reducing play opportunities. (Policy for Play)Understanding high school students' sports participation - 7 Sep 2015This US research found that the influence of family and friends and the opportunity to participate in a competitive activity were the two most important positive aspects of students' high school sports experiences. The most prevalent negative aspect of high school sports participation was a problematic experience with a coach. Click on Full Text PDF link to download. (De Gruyter)Paralympics New Zealand, iSPORT join forces - 7 Dec 2015Paralympics New Zealand and iSPORT, the charity founded by former All Blacks Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Ali Williams, have announced a joint project to drive public awareness and raise funds to help young people with impairments excel in sport. (IPC)Canterbury youth and outdoor recreation: an investigation of youth group leaders' perspectives on recreation opportunities on Banks Peninsula - May 2015 (PDF)In the summer of 2014/15, Lincoln University, in conjunction with the Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust, researched the use of the Banks Peninsula walkways among youth organisations to understand the demand for local outdoor recreation opportunities among youth groups in Christchurch. (LEaP, Lincoln University)Getting kids into national parks - 2015 (PDF)This Australian guide provides hints and tips on how to share the wonderful experience that national parks have to offer for children. (National Parks Association of Queensland)Socialising paramount for young rowers - 18 Nov 2015New Zealand rowing clubs should place more emphasis on the social aspects of the sport if they hope to attract more school leavers and improve retention rates, Lincoln University research suggests. (Lincoln University)

Community Sport and Recreation

Sport New Zealand rings changes to ensure Kiwis stay in sport and active recreation - 11 Dec 2015Sport New Zealand has confirmed investment of around $43 million a year for the next four years aimed at maintaining and growing the number of Kiwis involved in community sport, and ensuring New Zealand remains a successful sporting nation. (Sport New Zealand)Participation in sport and physical activity: associations with socioeconomic status and geographical remoteness - 29 Apr 2015 (PDF)This Australian study investigated the relationship of participation, and frequency and context of participation, to socio-economic status and location. (BioMed Central)Addressing the social determinants of inequities in physical activity and sedentary behaviours - Apr 2015 (PDF)Participation in both physical activity and sedentary behaviours follow a social gradient, such that those who are more advantaged are more likely to be regularly physically active and less likely to experience the adverse health outcomes associated with inactive lifestyles than their less-advantaged peers. This Australian paper provides an overview of the current evidence base and highlights promising approaches for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviours equitably. (Health Promotion International)The Health and Sport Engagement (HASE) Intervention and Evaluation Project: protocol for the design, outcome, process and economic evaluation of a complex community sport intervention to increase levels of physical activity - 26 Oct 2015(PDF)The HASE study is a collaborative partnership between local community sport deliverers and sport and public health researchers. It involves designing, delivering and evaluating community sport interventions. This British paper explains the methods used to evaluate the outcomes, costs and processes of designing and delivering a HASE Programme in local community contexts. (British Medical Journal)Swimming Australia inclusive swimming framework - December 2015 (PDF)The Inclusive Swimming Framework is a blueprint to guide Swimming Australia, its stakeholders and aquatic partners to achieve full inclusion of people from a diverse array of circumstances and backgrounds in swimming and aquatic activities. (Swimming Australia)Different. Just like you: a psychosocial approach promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities - 2015 (PDF)This handbook aims to create awareness of the importance of psychosocial support and inclusion in promoting the well-being of persons with disabilities. It describes best practice in psychosocial support and inclusion and features a wide range of activities - mainly adapted sports and other physical activities - that give persons with disabilities the opportunity to release their full potential and engage actively in society. (International Platform on Sport & Development)Supporting and promoting inclusive coach education - 4 Sep 2015This new English research examines whether the UK culture of coach education affects the likelihood of engaging under-represented groups in coaching - specifically, women and girls, people with a disability and coaches from black and minority ethnic groups. It includes individual and organisational case studies which present good practice examples. Click on the red links to download documents. (sportscoach UK) Latest English sport figures show more women are getting active - 10 Dec 2015Sport England's latest Active People Survey (PDF) finds the number of people playing sport regularly has increased. Less than a year into the 'This Girl Can' behaviour-change campaign, the number of women playing sport and getting active has increased by 148,700. However, more needs to be done for disabled people and those on lower incomes. (Sport England)

Outdoor Recreation

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council releases 50 top family outdoor experiences - 3 Dec 2015 (PDF)From the Waitakere Ranges' Fairy Falls to the Invincible Gold Mine Track in Glenorchy, there is something for everyone in the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's newly released guide to 50 favourite family outdoor experiences. (New Zealand Mountain Safety Council)NZRA and PLA combine to revive Parks Week - 4 Dec 2015The New Zealand Recreation Association and Parks and Leisure Australia are teaming up to revive and organise Parks Week events in 2016 to promote the benefits that parks and open spaces provide. (Australasian Leisure Management)Paparoa National Park Management Plan review - 23 Nov 2015The Department of Conservation is reviewing the 1992 Paparoa National Park Management Plan and is inviting people to register their interest and provide suggestions on aspects of the park's management they want considered in the review. (Department of Conservation)Te Urewera launches Statement of Priorities - 5 Dec 2015The Crown and Ng?i Tuhoe have welcomed the launch of Te Urewera's inaugural Statement of Priorities. The Statement invites public feedback on a framework for Te Kawa O Te Urewera, a 10-year management plan for Te Urewera. (Beehive)Enthusiasm for spending time outdoors at a record high - 3 Dec 2015The latest Natural England Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) headline survey results (PDF) show Britons' enthusiasm for spending time outdoors and keeping healthy is at its highest level since records began. (Sport and Recreation Alliance, UK) Exposure to nature may reduce crime; strengthen communities - 1 Dec 2015A British study (PDF) published in the journal BioScience finds that contact with nature is associated with stronger communities and lower crime rates. (HuffPost Science)Research shows small doses of nature can lead to big health benefits - 18 Nov 2015Recent studies show that just 10 minutes of exposure to nature, two to three times per week, is enough to produce mental restoration benefits. (Business Wire)

High Performance

UCI Track Cycling World Cup draws widespread praise - 9 Dec 2015New Zealand's first ever UCI Track Cycling World Cup has met with widespread praise from international cycling officials, teams and fans. The event attracted 600 riders and staff from 39 countries to New Zealand for the second of three UCI Track Cycling World Cups, which attracted around 5,000 spectators over the three days. (Endurance Sport)New Zealand to hold biggest World Masters Games - 8 Dec 2015World Masters Games 2017 has announced that New Zealand will deliver the largest ever para-sport programme in the history of the World Masters Games. A total of 11 para-sport options for athletes with an impairment will be available when the Games take place in April 2017. (IPC)Rugby sevens' future is golden - 3 Dec 2015A new report suggests rugby sevens' appearance at Rio 2016 has already been a game-changer for the development and growth of rugby as a global sport and will have greater long-term impact than the recent Rugby World Cup. (World Rugby)IOC hail "important milestone" as Rio 2016 Technology Operations Centre officially unveiled - 1 Dec 2015Rio 2016's Technology Operations Centre has been officially unveiled by Olympic Games organisers and worldwide Olympic partner Atos. (insidethegames)Games organisers pledge to maintain momentum and reach for gold - 4 Dec 2015The Commonwealth Games Federation has concluded its fourth Coordination Commission meeting on the Gold Coast, Australia, after a week offering support and monitoring progress to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. (Australian Commonwealth Games Association)Hamburg 2024 Games bid collapses in referendum defeat - 29 Nov 2015Hamburg's bid to host the 2024 Olympics has collapsed after the majority of the city's residents voted against the multi-billion euro project in a referendum, killing off the candidacy and leaving officials in shock. (Reuters)Boston activists helping other cities with Olympics opposition - 6 Dec 2015The grassroots activists who upended Boston's well-funded and star-studded Olympic bid are exporting their expertise. Leaders of No Boston 2024 and No Boston Olympics are showing opposition groups elsewhere how they helped turn public opinion against the city's bid for the 2024 Summer Games, forcing organisers to withdraw. (ESPN)

Organisational Capability

Industry backs national facilities benchmarking tool - 9 Dec 2015The New Zealand Recreation Association and Sport New Zealand have teamed up to develop a tool to provide benchmarking data for aquatic facilities, stadiums and indoor recreation venues across New Zealand. (New Zealand Recreation Association)Trophy women - no more board games - 6 Nov 2015 (PDF)This report assesses the number of women in board and executive positions in sport organisations in the UK and provides recommendations on how to increase gender diversity in sport leadership. (Women in Sport)Sport leadership - creating opportunities for women - 19 Aug 2015It's commonly known within the sport community that women are greatly under-represented in sport leadership roles. Knowing this, how can we help pave the way for aspiring female leaders? (SIRC)How we can work together to continue to grow women's sport - 4 Nov 2015Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports, outlines how he believes the growth of women's sport can continue. (Women in Sport)Why brands are finally choosing more female athletes for big endorsement deals - 20 Sep 2015Thanks to a constellation of superstars—including a re-energised U.S. women's soccer team, powerhouse tennis players and UFC's unbreakable Ronda Rousey—more marketing dollars are ending up in the pockets of female sports figures. (Adweek)British Women's Sport Trust #BeAGameChanger intergenerational panel - 28 May 2015 (VIDEO 30 minutes)In this presentation a panel of elite British sportswomen, past and present, share their thoughts on the changing attitudes to women's sport and their hopes for the future. (YouTube)International Sailing Federation changes name to World Sailing as part of strategic overhaulThe International Sailing Federation has rebranded itself as "World Sailing" as part of a strategic shift in its governance approach. The name change comes as the governing body strives to "significantly focus on change for the better". (insidethegames)

Sports Science and Technology

Eat fat to burn fat and push through - 7 Dec 2015Research from Massey University's School of Sport and Exercise Science has revealed changing what athletes eat can actually change the ability of their muscles to burn different fuels - findings that could help everyday people improve their body composition. (Massey University)Endurance athletes who 'go against the grain' become incredible fat-burners - 16 Nov 2015A new US study (PDF) shows elite endurance athletes who eat very few carbohydrates burned more than twice as much fat as high-carb athletes during maximum exertion and prolonged exercise - the highest fat-burning rates under these conditions ever seen by researchers. (Ohio State University)Health check: here's what you need to know about protein supplements - 17 Aug 2015This article concludes that protein supplements offer few performance benefits that an athlete's normal diet isn't already delivering. (The Conversation)The effect of an acute ingestion of Turkish coffee on reaction time and time trial performance - 6 Oct 2015 (PDF)This US study examined the ergogenic benefits of Turkish coffee consumed an hour before exercise. In addition, metabolic, cardiovascular, and subjective measures of energy, focus and alertness were examined in healthy, recreationally active adults who were regular caffeine consumers. (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition)Impact of visual skills training on sports performance: current and future perspectives - 9 Feb 2015 (PDF)This article highlights the current perspectives on the importance of visual training on visual skills enhancement leading to an improved performance in sports. (University of Auckland)Loughborough University research to inform cricket helmet safety development - 8 Dec 2015Research by Loughborough University's Sports Technology Institute will continue to shape the development of cricket helmet safety, following a landmark announcement by the British governing body for the sport. (Loughborough University)Reformed doper delivers heartfelt warning to NZ athletes - 1 Dec 2015Drug Free Sport NZ has used a reformed doper to deliver a series of video messages to warn New Zealand athletes about the perils of drug use. (Drug Free Sport NZ)

Off the Bench: Social Value of Sport

Sport as a tool for social change - South Campus sport development 'Think Tank' - 23 Jun 2015Local Manukau sport industry influencers gathered at the AUT South campus in Manukau to discuss how sports can be used as a tool for social change and development in South Auckland. (AUT)Value of a community football club - March 2015 (PDF)This La Trobe University research project demonstrates the benefits of being involved with community AFL football clubs. (AFL Victoria)Sport for social good - March 2015 (PDF)This paper by the British Centre for Social Justice argues that government must develop a national strategy to make sport a vehicle for social good and use it to help improve people's lives and communities. (Centre for Social Justice)A review of the social impacts of culture and sport - March 2015 (PDF)This British review draws together the existing international literature on the range, nature and extent of social impacts resulting from engagement and participation with sport and culture. (GOV.UK)Further analysis to value the health and educational benefits of sport and culture - 25 Mar 2015 (PDF)This British study details a population-level analysis of two British surveys to examine the relationship between engagement in cultural and sporting activities on the one hand and key social outcomes on the other (GOV.UK)Active education: growing evidence on physical activity and academic performance - January 2015 (PDF)This US research brief reviews published scientific articles that examine how physical activity and fitness may help school-aged children maximise their academic performance. It also provides an overview of the effects of physical activity on the developing brain. (Active Living Research) Brain Boost - how sport and physical activity enhance children's learning - March 2015 (PDF)This Australian publication updates research on the relationship between physical activity, sport, learning and academic success. It details findings from peer-reviewed journals and provides summaries of intervention and longitudinal research, correlational studies, and research reviews. (Department of Sport and Recreation, Western Australia)Team sports at kindergarten help children develop classroom discipline later on - 1 Jul 2015Canadian research has found a link between children who did organised extracurricular sports at kindergarten and their levels of discipline in the classroom as they become young adolescents. (The Conversation)Change4Life evidence review - the effect of physical activity participation among children aged 5 - 11 years - June 2015 (PDF)This British evidence review identifies relevant literature on the physiological, psychological, social, and behavioural outcomes of physical activity participation among children and provides an indication of the strength of the evidence for each outcome. (Public Heath England)Leadership insights report 2015 - June 2015 (PDF)The Asda Active Sports Leaders UK project was launched in April 2014 to help promote community sport and volunteering. In this British report, case studies outline the impacts of sports leadership training on three key outcomes in particular: employability, physical activity and health, and volunteering. (Sports Leaders UK)Key findings from the Taking Part survey - 16 Nov 2015The British Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published an analysis (PDF) of findings from the Taking Part survey. Key findings include that people who had engaged in moderate intensity sport or physical activity in the four weeks prior to the research were significantly happier than those who hadn't. (Sports Think Tank)Yet another reason sport is good for you! - 17 Mar 2015Findings from Roy Morgan Research show that the 1.35 million Australian adults who participate regularly in some kind of team sport are noticeably less likely than the average Aussie to experience depression, anxiety or stress. (Roy Morgan Research)

Useful Weblinks

The Centre for Sport and Social Impact The Centre for Sport and Social Impact (CSSI) at Australia's La Trobe University strives to change the future of sport management practices and policy and their impact on society through real world research and engagement with industry and government.Gatorade Sports Science Institute publicationsThis page provides abstracts of research aimed at helping athletes optimise their health and performance through education in hydration and nutrition science.