|
newsletter
Greetings,
If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter please
send a blank email to sports@blindsport.org.nz
SUBJECT: subscribe to newsletter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BLIND SPORT NEW ZEALAND
SPOTLIGHT ON SPORTMay 2003
Issue 2Welcome to the second issue of Spotlight on Sport. A big thank you to all those who showed interest in this newsletter and we trust you found the first issue interesting and informative. If there are any comments that you would like to make about this newsletter please feel free to contact Blind Sport at the contact details at the end of this newsletter.
In this newsletter we find out who the winners were in the Blind Sport awards, put the spotlight on Blind Sailing and much much more.
=======================================================================
BLIND SPORT AWARDS
Blind Sport New Zealand held its 2002 Sports Awards in Auckland on 15 March 2003 to celebrate the great sporting achievements of its members in the past 12 months.The judges received a record number of nominations from members all over New Zealand making the task of selecting the eventual winners a difficult job indeed.
At the awards function, Blind Sport New Zealand announced the winners of the following categories:
Totally Blind Sportsperson of the year
This year's winner, hailing from the deep south is Tangi Rouvi of St Clair, Dunedin. Tangi won the Totally Blind Ladies Champions title at the 2002 Blind Indoor Bowls National Tournament and went on to win the overall Champion of Champions title.Partially Blind Sportsperson of the year
This year's winner is Tim Prendergast from the sport of athletics and from Te Aro, Wellington. Tim won gold in the 800m T13 Division and Silver in the T13 1500m division at the 2002 IPC World Championships in France. He also won gold medals in both the 800m and 1500m at the Australian Track and Field Nationals held in April 2002.Team of the year
This year, the winners hail from sailing. Garth Reynolds of Kamo and Dick Lancaster from Taumaranui were the blind members of the 4 person crew that won gold in the B2 Division at the World Blind Sailing Championships held in Italy last September.Volunteer of the year
This category was extremely challenging to judge this year with a great number of nominations. In the end, there can only be one winner and that was sailing's Tony Thompson of Kawaha Point, Rotorua.In his acceptance speech Tony said he felt rather guilty in receiving the award as he received so much enjoyment out of helping the vision impaired take part in blind sailing and searching the local community to find vision impaired for sailing. He convinced a former Olympic helmsman to act as a tactician and is a tireless worker for blind sailing in addition to being Commodore of the Lake Rotoiti Trailer Yacht Squadron.
Administrator of the year
Always a tough category, this year's winner received an extensive nomination. It highlights the move of a sportsman to sports administration. The nomination goes into detail on the activities and work done by the winner Charles Tauhore of Otara, South Auckland with his work for the Auckland Blind Sports and Recreation Club.Besides handling to a high degree of excellence the administrative details of the club, Charles was also instrumental in expanding the club's role for vision impaired into activities like tenpin bowling and tramping.
Coach of the year
Blind Sport New Zealand returned to Dunedin to find the coach of the winner of the Totally Blind Sportsperson of the Year. Iris Roberts of Dunedin was the winner, not only for coaching Tangi Rouvi to her heights of success at the 2002 Blind Indoor Bowls National Tournament but also for coaching many other players at her club, doing administrative work and all the necessary fundraising.Spirit of Sport Award
This award recognises the efforts and activities of the nominees, who may not be able to achieve the sporting success they wish, but nevertheless they are always in there trying their best. This year's winner John Manchester of Royal Oak, Auckland exemplifies this.John did not let severe health problems at the Blind Indoor Bowls Nationals last year stop him from competing. John simply ensured he had his dialysis treatment prior to the Nationals then hotfooted it back to hospital immediately afterwards for more treatment before flying home.
=======================================================================
VISION IMPAIRED GAMES
The 2003 Games were held at Massey University; 13-16 February. The main sports were track and field and swimming. The participants also took part on the Saturday in tenpin bowling and on the Sunday several other sports were involved. These included judo, hosted by the Palmerston North Judo Club, golf, cricket, goalball and rock climbing all held at the Massey University Sports Centre.Nearly 80 participants took part in teams from all over New Zealand. These included Otago/Southland; Canterbury/West Coast; Wellington; Eastern Districts; Western Districts; Auckland and Northland.
For results of these games visit www.blindsport.org.nz
Of special interest is that two male swimmers met the qualifying standard for the World Championships in Quebec. We hope to see more achieve this milestone in their swimming careers in the future. A review of the Games will take place on 28th May. We hope to have further information on future games in a later edition of Spotlight.
=======================================================================
INTERNATIONAL REPORT
As we send this newsletter out our small team to the IBSA World Championships in Quebec is hard at training and organising for this major event.
Two athletes have qualified to enter the Championships and have been selected to represent New Zealand.
They are Mark Symon of Hawkes Bay in athletics and Daniel Sharp of West Auckland in swimming.
Next time this event comes around in four years time, we hope to have many more athletes capable of qualifying.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tenpin Bowling
Recent invitation courtesy of ABSF (Australian Blind Sports Federation) to their Tenpin Bowling Nationals scheduled for Campbelltown, NSW in August this year.
(more information at www.blindsport.org.nz)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------During the year invitations were received for athletics and Judo events in the UK and Germany.
=======================================================================
Spotlight on sport - Blind Sailing
BLIND SAILING TAKES A LEAD FROM TEAM NZ
Using Information gathered from observing Team NZ methods of communicating on their America's Cup yachts Blind Sailing New Zealand, under the guidance of Blind Sailing NZ Life Member Tom Rogerson, approached local hearing aid company Phonak for advice on radio communication between sailing instructors and vision impaired students. The concept was considered after observing VIP students sailing single handed Optimist sail training dinghies with the instructor using a megaphone to broadcast instructions. The system was found to be confusing for some, as they were acting on instructions meant for other helmsmen.
Phonak came up with a multi-band transmitter that will enable the sailing coach, from a remote position, communicate with a VIP helmsman up to 300 metres away. While traveling in a chase boat or on a convenient jetty the coach is able to issue coaching advice to a sailor in a boat. The VIP carries a receiving set and has an earphone. The system is not waterproof and to protect the equipment on the water it is contained in waterproof pouches. The transmitter has the ability to communicate to up to six students on the water, each with their own receiver and channel. Blind Sailing New Zealand has purchased two receiving sets at this point, due to financial considerations, and already the sets have been tested under the direction of Blind Sailing NZ Councilor Phillip Holt with a coach standing on shore and the student helmsman sailing his optimist dinghy while getting coaching instructions on the finer points of sail setting, tacking and trimming but, in the boat alone.
Blind Sailing New Zealand will further utilise and evaluate this advance at the next National Blind Sailing School and will make efforts to obtain funding for additional receiving sets to fully utilise the equipment's full potential.
2003-4 PLANNED EVENTS
Events being planned by Blind Sailing New Zealand for the upcoming sailing season include:September 6/7 2003 Tauranga Blind Sailing Match Racing Regatta Tauranga
October 2003 15th National Blind Sailing School Auckland
Council Annual General Meeting AucklandNovember 2003 Navy Cruise Auckland
February 2004 Tauranga Cruise Tauranga
Northland Blind Sailing School KerikeriMarch 2004 Lake Rotoiti Blind Sailing Regatta Rotorua
October 2004 National Selection Trials, Sixth World Championships Auckland
Some Dates can only be approximated at this early stage. This programme is to be used as a guide to help you get involved.
The Tauranga Group conduct fortnightly twilight racing on Tuesday nights during the summer months under the organisation of Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club.
The Lake Rotoiti Trailer Yacht Squadron conduct Wednesday night club racing during the summer months and involve blind sailors in crews.
The Auckland Blind Sailing Club own a Farr 727 keelboat and have regular sailing days throughout the year, weather permitting.
There are interested groups of keen sailors at New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Oamaru, that we could put readers in touch with if interested in joining in with blind sailing.
For other activities run by individual blind sailing clubs or groups that do not appear on this list,
Please contact your nearest organised group for further Information.Cruising Group Roger Bagshaw Phone 04 568 6978
Tauranga Blind and Vision Impaired Yacht Club Colin Way Phone 07 544 3287
Auckland Blind Sailing Club Dale Deane Phone 09 275 5775
Kerikeri Blind Sailing Group Tony Holmes Phone 09 407 7500
Rotorua Blind Sailing Group Rob Aislabie Phone 07 348 2765
Blind Sailing NZ Don Mason Phone 09 479 3349
Email info@sailingblind.org.nz Website: www.sailingblind.org.nz
BLIND SAILING VICE PATRON GRANT DALTON HEADS TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Grant Dalton, Vice Patron of Blind Sailing New Zealand has undertaken to lead Team New Zealand into the next America's Cup Challenge. Grant, who is mentor to Blind Sailing NZ and has given his support despite his busy schedule joins the team which includes Tom Schnackenberg, a name familiar in RNZFB circles. Blind Sailing NZ, and we hope the total Blind Community wish Grant every success in his latest venture.
BLIND SAILING SIGHTED TACTICIAN IN WINNING CREW
Morgan Trubovich, Tactician to Mark Mulcare in Three World Blind Sailing Regattas has been sailing for Team Dennis Connor over the last few Years. Morgan was a part of the Crew of Ken Read, Dennis Connors Helmsman of choice, who recently won the prestigious Congressional Cup. The Regatta is part of the Swedish Match, Match racing tour, the acknowledged World Championship of sailing. Second place went to Gavin Brady, a former crew mate from RNZYS youth training Scheme, and a one time helper in blind sailing.Editor's note, articles generously provided courtesy of Blind Sailing News.
=======================================================================BLIND CRICKET NEWS
The Waikato Blind Cricket Club won their first national title at the National Tournament of Blind Cricket held in Hamilton in January this year. From this tournament a national squad has been selected and this team will play a series against Australia in early 2004 in Australia. Also the Waikato Club are planning to attend the Australian domestic tournament to commence in late December this year.The trophy winners from the national tournament were as follows:
Tournament Trophy Winners
B1
Best Batter Carey Hammond (Central Districts)
Best Bowler Matthew Oka (Central Districts)
Best Fielder Andrew MacDonald (Manukau South)
All round Player Dennis Arms (Central Districts)B2
Best Batter Steven Donnelly (Waikato)
Best Bowler Helena Tuteao (Manukau South)
Best Fielder Mark Kay-Smith (Central Districts)
All round player Kay Kay-Smith (Central Districts)B3
Best Batter Nigel Abraham (Waikato)
Best Bowler Ben Fellows (Waikato
Best Fielder Donna McCaskill (Manukau South)
All round player James Dunn (Manukau South)Sharon Steenson Memorial Trophy
Donna McCaskill B3 (Manukau South)Joshua McCaskill Memorial Trophy
Mark Henderson B3 (Central Districts)Best Wicket Keeper
Ben Fellows B3 (Waikato)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ROTORUA BLIND SPORTS EVENT
Over Queen's Birthday weekend Rotorua will play host to Indoor Cricket and Goalball. This weekend is designed to promote both these sports. This is an annual feature now so if you have not put your name down for this event you may wish to do so next year.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BLIND HOCKEY IN AUCKLAND
With the winter months fast approaching it is time to once again think about playing Blind Hockey. If you live in the Auckland area and would like to give it a go or find out more information please give Florence Selby a call on 09 277 6012. Blind Hockey is generally considered to be the closest thing to a contact sport for the blind. The Kia Kaha Blind Hockey Club is on the look out for new members so if you live in the area why not have a look.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------BLIND LAWN BOWLS
Blind Sport member group, New Zealand Blind Lawn Bowling Association have announced that this years National Championships will be held in Hamilton at the Hamilton City Bowling Club from 1st to 5th December, 2003.Last years event was held for the first time in Christchurch and NZBLBA were delighted how successful they were. They gained several new members from the Canterbury region.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SPORT AND POLITICS
Blind Sport New Zealand met with the CEO of SPARC earlier this month to clarify our position in regard to ongoing funding. Our funding from SPARC allows us to employ an Executive Officer and without this funding Blind Sport would be under extreme financial pressure and many of our programs put in jeopardy.Blind Sport has also been involved in talks with the Foundation of the Blind in regard to funding and contract issues along with the usual meetings with recreation staff.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LOCAL GROUPS
Blind Sport supports a number of group sports for the blind and vision impaired in New Zealand. These sports include cricket, fishing, goalball, golf, hockey, indoor bowls, lawn bowls and sailing. If you would like information on these sports then please contact Blind Sport.Many of these sports have opportunities for competition at a local, national or international level or if you just love the game or sport then you will also find a place among friends.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SPORTS FOR INDIVIDUALS
Blind Sport also supports sports for the individuals out there who would like to participate in the likes of athletics, swimming, judo, power lifting and many others besides. If you would like to find out more information please contact Blind Sport.Once again you can compete locally or if you would like to take up the challenge there are many international events and opportunities waiting for you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------APPOINTMENTS
Preparing for the future!
Blind Sport has recently made some major appointments to assist the development of our organisation and more importantly our athletes of the future.Sports Commissioner for Athletics -
Tim Prendergast is well known to many in the blind sporting community. He is a Foundation Recreation Advisor in Wellington. A Silver Medallist in the 800m and 1500m at the Sydney Paralympics and World Champion in the 800m at the IPC World Championships in France last year.Sports Commissioner for Swimming -
Nicola Webster, a competitive swimmer from age 10. Has competed for several years in age group competitions both nationally and internationally. Holds several age group records. Nicola suffered a brain hemorrhage which has left her visually impaired. Her love for sport encouraged her to accept this role. She works in Newmarket for the Foundation.Sports Commissioner for Tandem Cycling -
Matt Hodgson has been racing bikes since he was 12 and competing at a national level since 14. Amongst many titles he has won three National Tandem Sprint Championships with his brother. His experience in this sport brings a wonderful addition to our sports team.Legal Counsel -
Masumi Scherb - With the challenges arising in todays sports world it was felt having a legal mind to seek advice from would not go amiss. Masumi is a qualified lawyer and totally blind. He is also a sportsman and a family man. Masumi has been involved over the past months with our constitutional review committee.Medical Director -
Ross McKay - Preparing for the future and to ensure our athletes are classified in their correct categories sees the appointment of Ophthalmologist Ross McKay. Ross has had much experience with testing blind athletes. He has also in the past been a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees.We welcome the above appointments and look forward to working together for the benefit of our members.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Website
If you have access to the Internet why not take a look at our Website at www.blindsport.org.nz this site is packed full of interesting information, photos and contact information for all the sports we support.Our sportsline
By using the Foundation for the Blind's Telephone Information Service Blind Sport has provided a place where you can listen to what blind sports people are up to and also have your say on our interactive service. If you would like to check it out please take option 5 2 from the main menu. If you would like to know about the Telephone Information Service then please contact the Foundation for the Blind directly on 0800 24 33 33.The Foundation's Recreation Service
The Foundation for the Blind provides a recreation service to assist Foundation members become more involved with recreation. This often involves local groups and activities and can help people with fitness advice and rehabilitation where necessary. If you would like to find out where your local Recreation Officer is based please phone the Foundation of the Blind - toll free on 0800 24 33 33.
Blind Sport New Zealand
PO Box 99 802
Newmarket
Auckland
Phone: 09 275 1635
Email: sports@blindsport.org.nzOur thanks to the Foundation of the Blind and SPARC for their ongoing support.
=======================================================================