In this Relay

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

Young People

2013 New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council census results - January 2014Results show the numbers of students participating in each individual sport both nationally and by region, as well as a summary of the changes in participation rates in each individual sport from 2000 - 2013.. Of on-going concern is the continuing decline in the number of teachers involved in coaching and managing this student involvement. (New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council)Learning from tragedy - 14 Oct 2013The investigation into the tragedy that claimed student lives at Paritutu Rock found omissions by the school did not materially affect the safety of the students. However, the tragedy reminds schools that they need to be alert to their responsibilities under the HSE Act, the Ministry's EOTC Guidelines, and their own safety management plan. (NZ Education Gazette)Increasing participation in after-school sport and physical activity among children and youth: a case study of providers in Ontario, Canada - 2013This investigation sought how to enhance the experiences and participation rates in after-school sport and physical activity among children and youth, especially in light of the trend of such programmes offering more sedentary activities. The full text can be viewed by clicking the PDF tab at the bottom. (PHEnex Journal)Boys and blended learning: achievement and online participation in physical education - 2013 (PDF)Using ICT to teach in a blended format can raise student achievement and there is evidence to suggest that boys participate at a higher level when ICT is used in education. This study assesses this approach in the context of NCEA achievement in physical education. (University of Canterbury)Not your mama's gym class - 1 Feb 2014As they struggle to keep kids active, North American PE teachers are using technology and the latest fitness trends to inspire even the most non-athletic children to develop a lifelong love for exercise. (Cable News Network)

Understanding talent - 2 Oct 2013 (VIDEO 2 minutes)This film was developed by sportscotland to help young athletes understand what 'talent' is and how you can get good at sport - it's more of a choice than you might think. (YouTube)Us Girls 2 Year evaluation report - September 2013 (PDF)Us Girls is an initiative aimed to get 30,000 young British women from disadvantaged areas more active by providing them with fitness and sport opportunities in their local communities. This report summarises progress, identifies the most popular sports and activities delivered and outlines plans for the future of the programme. (StreetGames)

Community Sport and Recreation

Theme announced for New Zealand's 2014 National Volunteer Week - 4 Feb 2014National Volunteer Week is coordinated annually by Volunteering New Zealand. Celebrations and events are held across the country in the week of June 15 to 21 to recognise the invaluable contribution made by volunteers in Aotearoa. (Volunteering New Zealand)Volunteer recognition study - October 2013This report outlines best practices in volunteer recognition and determines the key drivers that lead to volunteer retention. It seeks to raise awareness about the importance of recognising volunteers' efforts. (Volunteer Canada)Ten top tips: enhancing sport performance - 31 Jan 2014 (PDF)The use of neuro-linguistic programming in sports coaching is both successful and wide-ranging in its application. This article looks at a few of the things you can be aware of and do right now to put your athletes, players and teams on the path to success. (Teachers Who Coach)Core principles in positive coaching - 27 Jan 2014This article and TED Talk (by the Founder of the Positive Coaching Alliance) is for coaches and parents and looks at the best practices for getting results on the field, while also building character and leadership amongst the athletes being mentored. (Podium Sports Journal)The role of psychological factors in recreational sport participation - November 2013 (PDF)Based on interviews with recreational sport participants, this Loughborough University report examines psychological factors that influence their participation and what they expect from a coach. It also includes an extensive literature review covering both elite and recreational sport. (sportscoach UK)Playing like a girl: what we can learn from the feminine approach to sport and competition - January 2014 (PDF)Author Jennifer Walinga demonstrates the value that "the feminine approach to sport and competition" could bring to the experience. What is required, she suggests, "is a paradigmatic shift in sport culture that moves beyond 'winning' to 'human excellence'." (Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching)Start playing stay playing - November 2013 (PDF)This report from the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on Women and Girls in Sport and Recreation sets out evidence-based recommendations on ways to increase women's and girls' participation in sport and active recreation. (The State of Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing) Comparison of body image perceptions for female competitive dancers, fitness cohort, and non-dancers in a college population - 24 Jan 2014Body image is a complex synthesis of psychophysical elements that are perpetual, emotional, cognitive, and kinesthetic. This investigation examines collegiate dance team participants to see if they exhibited body image distortions and disordered eating habits as exhibited in other female performers. (Sport Journal)Habits in community sport - September 2013 (PDF)This report offers insight into the current habits in community sport. Case studies show how organisations have successfully responded to gaps, trends and opportunities. (Sport England)

Outdoor Recreation

Decision-making and intuition of outdoor leaders - 2013 (PDF)This research examines what sort of evaluation processes outdoor leaders use in naturalistic decision-making situations, and investigates how they use intuition and analysis in their evaluation. The research uses a cognitive task analysis technique. (University of Otago) A comparative assessment of the potential impact of climate change on the ski industry in New Zealand and Australia - 29 Mar 2013 (PDF)This study assessed the potential impact of climate change on the ski industry in New Zealand and Australia. It shows there are likely to be serious economic implications for businesses and tourism-dependent communities given that average climate change will reduce the natural snow available at all the sites in the study. (Griffith University)People, rivers and recreation: fluid relationships of place and experience on the Clutha River, Otago, New Zealand - 5 Aug 2013 (PDF)This study challenges some of the long-held approaches to understanding recreation experience, especially in the context of rivers. (University of Otago)Park health resources: bene?ts, values, and implications - 15 Jan 2014 (PDF)This article offers case studies from diverse park settings to illustrate how managers have applied the strategies to help achieve the goals of Healthy Parks Healthy People - a movement to increase society's recognition of parks and protected areas as places for the promotion of physical and mental health and social well-being. (Park Science)Warning signs at beaches: do they work? - February 2014A recent study about the effectiveness of signage has discovered less than half of beachgoers reported observing any signage at Victorian beaches. The study found that of those that observed any signage, the majority noticed hazard related signage, such as currents and rips, above any other information provided. (You may need to scroll down to read this article). (Lifesaving Victoria)

Wales activity mapping: economic valuation of marine recreation activity - 1 Nov 2013 (PDF)This report provides an economic value to mapped areas of marine/coastal recreation/tourism in two pilot areas of Pembrokeshire. The study has provided clear evidence and methods to state how much individual activities are worth to the local economy. (Wales Activity Mapping)

High Performance

Glasgow 2014 using social media to help "take people on our journey" - 5 Nov 2013Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg believes the effective use of social and digital media has been one of the main drivers behind the high ticket sales reported by organisers. Connecting with fans through Twitter and Facebook encourages them to "come on our journey." (Sport Digest)Lead 2014 inspires thousands of young people during Commonwealth Games countdown - 4 Feb 2014Using Glasgow 2014 as the catalyst, Lead 2014 will capture more than 50,000 young people's energy and enthusiasm for sport and enable them to become role models in sports leadership as well as seeing the value of volunteering in sport. (Youth Sport Trust UK)Excellent facilities helping create a Commonwealth legacy - 3 Jan 2014sportscotland has invested almost £55 million into providing sports facilities which will help create a lasting legacy from the Commonwealth Games in 2014. With Glasgow 2014 now only five months away, sportscotland is delighted with the impact the Games has already had on the sporting landscape. (sportscotland)Moving more, living more: the physical activity Olympic and Paralympic legacy for the nation - February 2014 (PDF)This report outlines a change in British government policy towards physical activity. It states that realising the legacy benefits from the 2012 Games is a long-term project to deliver lasting change. It notes strong progress in the first year, including: 1.5 million more people playing sport once a week than in 2005 and more disabled people playing sport. (British Cabinet Office)ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Volunteer Programme - February 2014The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in February and March 2015. The organisers are looking for up to 4,000 volunteers to help ensure the tournament's success. This site links to further information, FAQs and registration.

International Triathlon Union announces 2016 Paralympic Games qualification criteria - 20 Jan 2014The International Triathlon Union has announced paratriathlon qualification criteria for its debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games, as well as new classifications that will be implemented for the 2014 paratriathlon season. (International Triathlon Union)Management of Paralympics Games: problems and perspectives - 26 April 2013 (PDF)This Czech thesis identifies some of the problems an athlete with a disability faces as a result of the organisation of the Games. It also predicts where are the Games heading in this time of globalisation. (Masaryk University)

Organisational Capability

Crowdtilt and Dogecoin crowdsourcing sends Jamaican bobsled team to Sochi Olympics - 4 Feb 2014The Jamaican bobsled team's official crowdfunding campaign on Crowdtilt.com raised more than $100,000, surpassing its $80,000 goal. This is now considered a major step as teams can now utilise independent fans instead of having to convince sponsors. (sporttechie)10 years in social media: the personal touch - 10 Feb 2014Social media is a phenomenon that has transformed our daily lives and the way we connect with the sports we love. Football has embraced social networking in a way in which no other sport has. (fcbusiness)Leadership within the sporting environment - 10 Nov 2013 (AUDIO 54 minutes)Chris Laidlaw explores the notion of leadership and its effects on our social climate, and specifically at the elite level in our national sport. Guests include former All Black captains Sir Brian Lochore and Graham Mourie, former Black Ferns captain Dr Farah Palmer, and player turned commentator Ken Laban. (Radio NZ National)Trends in the global sports business market 2013/2014 - 17 Feb 2014A challenge for any sporting organisation is to ensure the attraction and retention of the best people possible. Sports Recruitment International have reviewed their global business and across their six international offices have identified a number of trends that impact all business on a global basis. (Sports Business Insider)Why sports is the ultimate winning play for engagement - 20 Jan 2014The North American sports market alone is expected to hit $US67.7 billion in revenue by 2017, up from $US53.6 billion in 2012, according to PwC. That figure includes gate revenue, media rights, corporate sponsorships and merchandising. (Advertising Age) The missing link: the coming out of ambush marketing? - 28 Jan 2014The issue of ambush marketing, and how to regulate it, has become a key battleground. The practice involves non-official sponsors attempting to derive commercial capital from association with events, often at the expense of official sponsors. (LawInSport)Australia's top female athletes meet corporate Australia - 23 Dec 2013Australia's top female athletes have declared the inaugural Australian Sports Commission's Women Achievers in Sport lunch a success and a great step towards attracting more corporate support for women's sport by raising awareness among corporate Australia of the value of Australia's female sporting champions. (Australian Institute of Sport)BT Sport survey: body image insecurities rife in women's sport - 18 Jan 2014A survey conducted by BT Sport confirms body image issues are a worrying problem within elite women's sport. Of the elite athletes who responded, 80% said they felt pressure to conform to a certain look and body type. (BT Sport)

Sports Science and Technology

Sochi 2014 Play True Magazine special edition - 7 Feb 2014 (PDF)Play True takes a look at WADA's role at the Sochi Winter Olympics, featuring interviews with WADA Athlete Committee member Ben Sandford and the IOC's Medical Director Dr. Richard Budgett. The role the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA has played alongside the Sochi Organising Committee and the IOC is also included. (World Anti-doping Agency)An interview with Team USA's chief medical officer - 7 Feb 2014This interview with Team USA's chief medical officer, Dr. Gloria Beim, contains a behind-the-scenes account of what it takes to care for and keep Team USA Olympians in tip-top shape. It discusses injury prevention and new technologies used in athlete healthcare. (MedPage Today)The 2014 Sochi Olympics: 11 examples of sci-fi sports technology turned real - 7 Feb 2014To get the edge on their competition, Winter Olympic athletes are using technology that was once available only in science fiction. The images displayed show innovation from specialised snow-making machines to cut-resistant hockey socks. (blastr)Sochi drones pave way for new sports filming - 27 Feb 2014Though this isn't the first time that drones have been used to film sporting events, the games have most certainly been the greatest exposure for this emerging technology. Drones are preferable in many ways to the standard helicopter and camera crews used in events where high quality aerial video is preferred. (Campus Times)

Foot study may impact design of running shoes - 7 Feb 2014New insights into how foot muscles support the arch of the foot could spark a change in the design of running shoes, following a study led by the University of Queensland. The research is also expected to impact the treatment of foot conditions. (University of Queensland)Vitamin C and E supplements may hamper endurance training, study suggests - 3 Feb 2014Results of a new study (PDF) by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences show that vitamin C and E supplements blunted the endurance training-induced increase of mitochondrial proteins, which are needed to improve muscular endurance. (ScienceDaily)Men's and women's soccer: physical or technical? - 2 Jan 2014Comparisons of elite men and women soccer players using absolute criteria and video-tracking show significant differences. One of the practical applications of the study could lead to adapting the physical and technical preparation to the needs of each gender. (University of the Basque Country)

Off the Bench: Talent Development

Sports talent development programme announced - 13 Dec 2013The creation of New Zealand's first nationwide talent development programme, called Pathway to Podium, has been announced. The programme will identify emerging athletes and prepare them to enter the high performance sport system. (High Performance Sport New Zealand) Tennis NZ high performance overview - 2013The new Tennis New Zealand HP Player Development Strategy 2014-2020 involves moving to a targeted athlete approach using the Tennis NZ Talent Identification Process. Tennis New Zealand believes this strategy will have increased impact on performance, with resources available assisting a smaller group of targeted players. (Tennis New Zealand)Swimming NZ uses former swimmers' experience - 17 Jan 2014Swimming New Zealand has employed the services of two past national swimming representatives to assist in the coaching of the country's greatest talents and to implement Swimming NZ's High Performance Plan. (Swimming New Zealand)Paralympics New Zealand launches Express Lane - 4 Feb 2014Paralympics New Zealand has announced the launch of PNZ Express Lane (PDF) a nation-wide talent search programme targeted at increasing the number of new para-swimmers in the S1 to S5 classifications. The project will identify, recruit and support disabled athletes who have significant impairments, and provide the required support to assist them to begin swimming. (Paralympics New Zealand)London 2012 champion launches new Girls4Gold talent ID campaign - 1 Nov 2013Girls4Gold is the single most extensive female talent identification and recruitment drive ever undertaken in Great Britain, seeking focused, powerful and motivated athletes who want to fulfil their Olympic or Paralympic ambition. (English Institute of Sport)Young Netball Central Zone players learning from the best - 19 Feb 2014Netball Central Zone held the second of three NZ Talent Development days at Arena Manawatu, in Palmerston North. A total of 46 elite players ranging from 15 to 17 years old and seven umpires were involved. Netball NZ Emerging Talent selectors observed the skills and match play sessions. (Netball Central Zone)Athlete profiling focus of Performance Pathway Programme - 27 Jan 2014Attendees from 11 Olympic sports will meet for the fourth module of the Performance Pathway Programme to explore 'athlete profiling'. The British programme is designed for managers working in the World Class Programme environment, responsible for talent Identification, confirmation and development of future medallists for 2018, 2020 and beyond. (UK Sport)Does an eye-hand coordination test have added value as part of talent identification in table tennis? - 17 Jan 2014 (PDF)Assessing natural motor abilities necessary for table tennis in youngsters (6 to 12 years), as part of talent identification alongside cognitive and social-emotional abilities seems reasonable to identify high potentials for this sport. The question arises how to measure this giftedness? (PLOS ONE)

Useful weblinks

UK Sport's talent identification and development siteThe Performance Pathway Team is a collaboration between UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport. It supports world class programmes to identify and develop talented athletes and the construction of the underpinning support systems.New Zealand Golf player development resourcesThis section of the website provides resources that may assist the young emerging talent throughout New Zealand, and those willing to support them. They are divided into technical, tactical, psychological, physical and organisational components.Volunteering factsheetsProvided by the Queensland government, this site contains numerous fact sheets on volunteer engagement, (including attracting specific groups such as the young, the elderly and the culturally diverse) and volunteer retention.