Despite a horror run of injuries, the New Zealand Sevens men’s team are in good spirits as they prepare for their first match at the fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
The New Zealand team open their campaign against Italy at 7.54pm Dubai time (Friday 4.54am NZ time).
Coach Gordon Tietjens says the team’s injury problems in 2009 have been the worst he has encountered in his 16 years coaching the New Zealand side.
No less than five of his national squad were ruled out of the tournament prior to selection, two others – captain DJ Forbes and playmaker Tomasi Cama – missed the latest San Diego tournament, and his prospective Rebel Sport Super 14 picks all had injury trouble.
The Blues Rudi Wulf had been in contention until he was sidelined with injury, the Chiefs Sosene Anesi was ruled out with a hamstring injury at the pre-World Cup training camp, and the Hurricanes’ Victor Vito made the trip, but had to overcome a calf strain to be declared fit for the weekend.
Vito had only just been cleared when Wellington’s Tu Umaga Marshall had to be ruled out with a lower back strain only 36 hours before the tournament opener. Fellow Wellingtonian Julian Savea, who had been called to Dubai on standby for Vito, will take Umaga-Marshall’s place in the team.
“There’s no doubt we have had serious injury problems,” says Tietjens.
“But I have a saying that who ever plays will do the job and I back these guys to perform well.”
Tietjens believes the World Cup is wide open with any one of half a dozen teams able to go the whole way.
“I think England, South Africa and Fiji are all strong chances, while Samoa could threaten and Argentina come into the tournament having won the San Diego leg.”
The key to playing well in the tournament, he says, is to get off to a strong start.
“We have pretty much a new squad so it’s important for our confidence that we start well and points are going to be important both to secure a spot in the quarterfinals and for seedings in the playoffs.”
The six pool winners advance to the quarter finals along with the next two best pool runners-up.
Tietjens mantra of defence winning tournaments also holds. “If your defence is really working, attack will take care of itself.”
New Zealand won its only Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2001 when the team beat Australia in the final in Mar del Plata.
This year’s Tournament is doubly important as it will also be the backdrop to the IRB’s international campaign to have rugby added to the Olympic Games.
“Sevens rugby is huge and the Rugby World Cup is a big part of the push towards the Olympics. So it’s important that the tournament goes well. We’re looking forward to it.”
New Zealand Team Schedule:
5 March v Italy, 7.54pm Dubai / 4.54am NZ (6th March)
6 March v Arabian Gulf, 1.00am Dubai / 8.00pm NZ
V Tonga, 7.28pm Dubai / 4.28am NZ (7th March)
7 March - Finals Day
The New Zealand Sevens RWC squad is: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Victor Vito (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).
Friday, March 6, 2009
Ian Salisbury Rejoins Surrey As Second Team Coach
Ian Salisbury has today rejoined Surrey County Cricket Club as coach of the Club’s second team.
Salisbury, who has now retired from first-class cricket, rejoins Surrey after spending ten years at the Club between 1997 and 2007. During this time he took 486 wickets in all competitions and partnered with Saqlain Mushtaq to create one of the most potent county spin partnerships in recent times.
In his new role on the Surrey Cricket Management Team, Salisbury will take charge of the Club’s Second XI and – in conjunction with PG Academy Director Gareth Townsend – work closely with members of the successful Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy.
During his playing years for Surrey, Salisbury was part of the squad that won nine trophies in ten years, including three County Championships, two One Day Cups, two One Day Leagues, one County Championship Division Two and the inaugural Twenty20 Cup.
After leaving the Club, Salisbury joined Warwickshire, where he spent a successful season, taking 31 first-class wickets at an average of 27.9 and a further ten One Day wickets at a superb 21.9 apiece.
The appointment of three time Championship winner Salisbury means that since the end of last season, Surrey have employed four high level coaches with recent Championship winning experience.
He will join the newly appointed Chris Adams (Professional Cricket Manager and four time Championship winner), Graham Thorpe (Specialist Batting Coach and three time Championship winner) and Alec Stewart (part time coach and consultant, three time Championship winner) alongside existing Surrey skipper Mark Butcher (three time Championship winner) on the cricket management team.
Speaking about Salisbury’s appointment, Chris Adams said: “Ian Salisbury has been a great servant of Surrey in the past and has now returned to start the second phase of his career.
“Having both captained and played against him throughout our careers I know the contribution he will bring to the Club and couldn’t be happier to make him the latest addition to our cricket management team.”
Speaking shortly after signing his contract, Ian Salisbury added: “Surrey are a huge Club and I want to be a key part of making them the most successful team.
“In the last decade I was part of a largely homegrown side that enjoyed huge success and in my role with the Second team and Pemberton Greenish Academy I look forward to working with the Club’s exciting young players to create a new generation of Surrey greats.
“Gus Mackay and Chris Adams have put together a top class cricket management team and I am very excited to be a part of it.”
Gus Mackay, Managing Director of Surrey Cricket, concluded: “Everyone at Surrey welcomes Ian back to the Brit Oval and I look forward to seeing our squad draw on the immense experience he has gained over such a long and successful career.”
Salisbury, who has now retired from first-class cricket, rejoins Surrey after spending ten years at the Club between 1997 and 2007. During this time he took 486 wickets in all competitions and partnered with Saqlain Mushtaq to create one of the most potent county spin partnerships in recent times.
In his new role on the Surrey Cricket Management Team, Salisbury will take charge of the Club’s Second XI and – in conjunction with PG Academy Director Gareth Townsend – work closely with members of the successful Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy.
During his playing years for Surrey, Salisbury was part of the squad that won nine trophies in ten years, including three County Championships, two One Day Cups, two One Day Leagues, one County Championship Division Two and the inaugural Twenty20 Cup.
After leaving the Club, Salisbury joined Warwickshire, where he spent a successful season, taking 31 first-class wickets at an average of 27.9 and a further ten One Day wickets at a superb 21.9 apiece.
The appointment of three time Championship winner Salisbury means that since the end of last season, Surrey have employed four high level coaches with recent Championship winning experience.
He will join the newly appointed Chris Adams (Professional Cricket Manager and four time Championship winner), Graham Thorpe (Specialist Batting Coach and three time Championship winner) and Alec Stewart (part time coach and consultant, three time Championship winner) alongside existing Surrey skipper Mark Butcher (three time Championship winner) on the cricket management team.
Speaking about Salisbury’s appointment, Chris Adams said: “Ian Salisbury has been a great servant of Surrey in the past and has now returned to start the second phase of his career.
“Having both captained and played against him throughout our careers I know the contribution he will bring to the Club and couldn’t be happier to make him the latest addition to our cricket management team.”
Speaking shortly after signing his contract, Ian Salisbury added: “Surrey are a huge Club and I want to be a key part of making them the most successful team.
“In the last decade I was part of a largely homegrown side that enjoyed huge success and in my role with the Second team and Pemberton Greenish Academy I look forward to working with the Club’s exciting young players to create a new generation of Surrey greats.
“Gus Mackay and Chris Adams have put together a top class cricket management team and I am very excited to be a part of it.”
Gus Mackay, Managing Director of Surrey Cricket, concluded: “Everyone at Surrey welcomes Ian back to the Brit Oval and I look forward to seeing our squad draw on the immense experience he has gained over such a long and successful career.”
Nadeem Shahid Leaves Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club assistant coach Nadeem Shahid has decided to pursue an alternative career and is leaving the Brit Oval with immediate effect.
Shahid, 39, had been with the Club for fifteen years as a player and a coach and said he made his decision to leave Surrey “with a heavy heart”.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career at Surrey and it was an incredibly difficult decision to leave”, he said this week. “However, an opportunity I have recently received to run a multi-sports academy in South Africa is one I can’t turn down.
“I take great pleasure in wishing the Club every success for the future and look forward to seeing the new management team delivering some silverware in the coming years.”
Surrey’s Managing Director of Cricket Gus Mackay added: “Nadeem Shahid has served this Club honourably, both as a player and a coach. I fully understand and support his desire to develop his career and wish him every success for the future.”
Nadeem Shahid played 82 times for Surrey, averaging 31.12, scoring seven centuries and taking 89 catches. He played for ten seasons and was part of a Surrey squad that won nine trophies in this time. Since retiring he has worked for the Club, firstly as its first ever Community Manager and more recently as the coach of the Second XI, a role he fulfilled from 2006 until the beginning of 2009.
Shahid, 39, had been with the Club for fifteen years as a player and a coach and said he made his decision to leave Surrey “with a heavy heart”.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career at Surrey and it was an incredibly difficult decision to leave”, he said this week. “However, an opportunity I have recently received to run a multi-sports academy in South Africa is one I can’t turn down.
“I take great pleasure in wishing the Club every success for the future and look forward to seeing the new management team delivering some silverware in the coming years.”
Surrey’s Managing Director of Cricket Gus Mackay added: “Nadeem Shahid has served this Club honourably, both as a player and a coach. I fully understand and support his desire to develop his career and wish him every success for the future.”
Nadeem Shahid played 82 times for Surrey, averaging 31.12, scoring seven centuries and taking 89 catches. He played for ten seasons and was part of a Surrey squad that won nine trophies in this time. Since retiring he has worked for the Club, firstly as its first ever Community Manager and more recently as the coach of the Second XI, a role he fulfilled from 2006 until the beginning of 2009.
European Academy Gets Underway In South Africa
Thirteen of Europe’s finest young cricketers made their way to Port Elizabeth, South Africa last week to take part in the seventh annual ICC European Men’s Academy.
Consisting of an intense five-day coaching and skills programme followed by three fixtures against local sides, the 11-day will tour will see the participants benefitting from a mixture of net sessions, video analysis, fielding and batting drills, wicket practice, and 1:1 discussions with coaches on player performance and goal-setting strategies. Taking advantage of Port Elizabeth’s coastal setting, regular swim sessions will also take place at King’s Beach throughout the tour.
The participants, all aged between 17 and 23, originate from five of ICC Europe’s Member countries – Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Scotland. For some of the young cricketers it will be their first trip to the Southern Hemisphere and certainly for most of them, it will be their first experience playing at one of the oldest Test grounds in the world: Sahara Oval, St George’s Park – home of the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club.
Accompanying the players from Europe is a highly qualified coaching team led by Academy Director, ICC Regional Performance Officer, Philip Hudson. The team includes ECB’s Head of Elite Coach Development Gordon Lord, former Ireland coach Adrian Birrell and former England seam bowler Richard Johnson.
The Academy’s first two fixtures were played against Motherwell (2 March) and St George’s XI (3 March). The final fixture of the tour takes place at Nelson Mandela University against the University XI side on 4 March. However, it is not all hard work and no play in South Africa: the participants will also have the opportunity to take in an unforgettable safari game drive at Amakhala Game Reserve, a unique conservation initiative just 40 minutes drive away from Port Elizabeth.
Academy Director, ICC Regional Performance Officer, Philip Hudson, said after the first week: “The training phase of the Academy programme has been very intense with the coaching team pushing the players hard. We are trying to help the players understand what is required to play the game at the highest level so that European member countries can compete on the World stage.”
Reflecting on the standard and talent of this year’s selected players Hudson commented, “Prior to our arrival in South Africa, I felt that this squad was one of the strongest that we had put together and we look forward to seeing if this is the case over the course of our three matches. Several of the players have impressed the coaching team greatly with their commitment and talent.”
The impressive caliber of players attending the Academy was also re-iterated by Richard Johnson, who upon coaching players from ICC Associate Member Countries for the first time in Port Elizabeth said that many of the players have the ability to perform at a high level in International cricket. Johnson was particularly impressed at how the players applied themselves equally to all aspects of the game including goal-setting and mental preparation off the field.
Amongst the group is all-rounder Shan Munasinghe from Italy. Munasinghe, attending his first ICC European Academy and one of only two participants selected from outside the ICC High Performance Programme countries of Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands said, “Coming out to South Africa has been a wonderful experience for me. Working with the four coaches, especially Richard Johnson, has helped me to understand both the strengths and weaknesses in my game.
“I am looking forward to the games so that I can take what I’ve learnt from training into a match environment. I have no doubt that I will return to Italian cricket a better and more knowledgeable cricketer.”
The Academy concludes on 6 March and has been funded by the Pepsi ICC European Development Programme.
The ICC European Academy Squad 2009
Rizwan Mahmood Denmark
Chris Dougherty Ireland
Gavin McKenna Ireland
Paul Stirling Ireland
Greg Thompson Ireland
Gayshan Munasinghe Italy
Timothy Gruijters Netherlands
Maurits Jonkmann Netherlands
Gert Maarten-Mol Netherlands
Lesley Stokkers Netherlands
Ryan Flannigan Scotland
Andy Hislop Scotland
Sean Weeraratna Scotland
Consisting of an intense five-day coaching and skills programme followed by three fixtures against local sides, the 11-day will tour will see the participants benefitting from a mixture of net sessions, video analysis, fielding and batting drills, wicket practice, and 1:1 discussions with coaches on player performance and goal-setting strategies. Taking advantage of Port Elizabeth’s coastal setting, regular swim sessions will also take place at King’s Beach throughout the tour.
The participants, all aged between 17 and 23, originate from five of ICC Europe’s Member countries – Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Scotland. For some of the young cricketers it will be their first trip to the Southern Hemisphere and certainly for most of them, it will be their first experience playing at one of the oldest Test grounds in the world: Sahara Oval, St George’s Park – home of the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club.
Accompanying the players from Europe is a highly qualified coaching team led by Academy Director, ICC Regional Performance Officer, Philip Hudson. The team includes ECB’s Head of Elite Coach Development Gordon Lord, former Ireland coach Adrian Birrell and former England seam bowler Richard Johnson.
The Academy’s first two fixtures were played against Motherwell (2 March) and St George’s XI (3 March). The final fixture of the tour takes place at Nelson Mandela University against the University XI side on 4 March. However, it is not all hard work and no play in South Africa: the participants will also have the opportunity to take in an unforgettable safari game drive at Amakhala Game Reserve, a unique conservation initiative just 40 minutes drive away from Port Elizabeth.
Academy Director, ICC Regional Performance Officer, Philip Hudson, said after the first week: “The training phase of the Academy programme has been very intense with the coaching team pushing the players hard. We are trying to help the players understand what is required to play the game at the highest level so that European member countries can compete on the World stage.”
Reflecting on the standard and talent of this year’s selected players Hudson commented, “Prior to our arrival in South Africa, I felt that this squad was one of the strongest that we had put together and we look forward to seeing if this is the case over the course of our three matches. Several of the players have impressed the coaching team greatly with their commitment and talent.”
The impressive caliber of players attending the Academy was also re-iterated by Richard Johnson, who upon coaching players from ICC Associate Member Countries for the first time in Port Elizabeth said that many of the players have the ability to perform at a high level in International cricket. Johnson was particularly impressed at how the players applied themselves equally to all aspects of the game including goal-setting and mental preparation off the field.
Amongst the group is all-rounder Shan Munasinghe from Italy. Munasinghe, attending his first ICC European Academy and one of only two participants selected from outside the ICC High Performance Programme countries of Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands said, “Coming out to South Africa has been a wonderful experience for me. Working with the four coaches, especially Richard Johnson, has helped me to understand both the strengths and weaknesses in my game.
“I am looking forward to the games so that I can take what I’ve learnt from training into a match environment. I have no doubt that I will return to Italian cricket a better and more knowledgeable cricketer.”
The Academy concludes on 6 March and has been funded by the Pepsi ICC European Development Programme.
The ICC European Academy Squad 2009
Rizwan Mahmood Denmark
Chris Dougherty Ireland
Gavin McKenna Ireland
Paul Stirling Ireland
Greg Thompson Ireland
Gayshan Munasinghe Italy
Timothy Gruijters Netherlands
Maurits Jonkmann Netherlands
Gert Maarten-Mol Netherlands
Lesley Stokkers Netherlands
Ryan Flannigan Scotland
Andy Hislop Scotland
Sean Weeraratna Scotland
IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens In Dubai Shines Light On Need For Improved Gulf Training Facilities And Coaching
Dubai Sports City’s ‘High Performance Centre’ will be “Rugby Team’s Dream”
The International Rugby Board’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, scheduled to take place this week in Dubai, has focused the Gulf’s attention on the need for improved facilities and training to encourage the sport’s popularity in the region.
Key drivers in the growth of rugby elsewhere in the world have been team access to proper training facilities and experienced coaching, two elements lacking considerably in the Gulf region, say those close to the sport.
However this will be changing soon with the much anticipated Dubai Sports City Academies Campus opening later this year. The integrated sports academies include the Dubai Sports City Rugby Academy as well as a much talked about High Performance Centre which will offer players recovery, rehab, diagnostic testing, and physiotherapy services.
“The High Performance Centre will be a rugby team’s dream,” says Jeff O’Brien, Academies Manager, Dubai Sports City. “It will provide a centre of gravity for the region’s rapidly growing base of rugby enthusiasts – from novice Emirati players looking for a development pathway to established expat players in search of the latest technology to improve their skills – and will act as a major attraction for international teams of all levels who wish to come to Dubai for training or pre- and post-tournament conditioning.”
The Dubai Sports City development will be built around five major sports venues and feature a series of major sports academy facilities.
Included within the Dubai Sports City Academies Campus is the Dubai Sports City Football Academy – the home of Manchester United Soccer Schools, Dubai; the WorldHockey Academy, a first of its kind partnership with the International Hockey Federation; a Swimming Academy with a 50 metre training pool; a Rugby Academy and the International Cricket Council’s own ICC Global Cricket Academy.
In addition, Dubai Sports City is home to a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and the first Butch Harmon School of Golf outside the United States.
The International Rugby Board’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, scheduled to take place this week in Dubai, has focused the Gulf’s attention on the need for improved facilities and training to encourage the sport’s popularity in the region.
Key drivers in the growth of rugby elsewhere in the world have been team access to proper training facilities and experienced coaching, two elements lacking considerably in the Gulf region, say those close to the sport.
However this will be changing soon with the much anticipated Dubai Sports City Academies Campus opening later this year. The integrated sports academies include the Dubai Sports City Rugby Academy as well as a much talked about High Performance Centre which will offer players recovery, rehab, diagnostic testing, and physiotherapy services.
“The High Performance Centre will be a rugby team’s dream,” says Jeff O’Brien, Academies Manager, Dubai Sports City. “It will provide a centre of gravity for the region’s rapidly growing base of rugby enthusiasts – from novice Emirati players looking for a development pathway to established expat players in search of the latest technology to improve their skills – and will act as a major attraction for international teams of all levels who wish to come to Dubai for training or pre- and post-tournament conditioning.”
The Dubai Sports City development will be built around five major sports venues and feature a series of major sports academy facilities.
Included within the Dubai Sports City Academies Campus is the Dubai Sports City Football Academy – the home of Manchester United Soccer Schools, Dubai; the WorldHockey Academy, a first of its kind partnership with the International Hockey Federation; a Swimming Academy with a 50 metre training pool; a Rugby Academy and the International Cricket Council’s own ICC Global Cricket Academy.
In addition, Dubai Sports City is home to a David Lloyd Tennis Academy and the first Butch Harmon School of Golf outside the United States.
SKYCITY Diamond Day - A day at the races
SKYCITY Diamond Day is Ladies' Day and a great excuse to let your hair down and party!
The feature races of the day are the Group I $200,000 Ford Diamond Stakes (for the country's best two-year-olds) and the Group I $200,000 SKYCITY New Zealand Stakes.
For the sophisticated and glamourous, the place to be is Cuvee Champagne Bar & Lawn! With prime views of the birdcage and track Cuvee is where you want to be! For only $100 (+ gst) you will receive a drink on arrival and exquisite lunch.
The best-dressed ladies oncourse are in with a chance to win every girl's best friend - a fabulous $25,000 diamond as part of the Angela Daniel Jewellery Diamond Darling fashion competition!
500 well-dressed ladies will be rewarded for their efforts with a very special goodie bag containing items from SKYCITY, FashioNZ.co.nz, L’Oreal, Tamara Spa, BodyTech, Diesel, Dr. LeWinn’s, OFF Wax/Brow Bar, Lindauer, Elizabeth Arden, Fujifilm and Olive Body Care.
AND the Lindauer Powder Room will be open for a little indulgence - get your makeup touched up while enjoying a complimentary glass of Lindauer Special Reserve!
Or learn to be a Stella Artois draughtmaster! You are invited to come along to The Stella Artois Lounge and show off your polished expertise in the art of pouring a perfect Stella Artois. Kirsty McLean, the 2008 Stella Artois New Zealand Draught Masters Champion will be watching over proceedings and 'The Outwits' will be on hand to entertain. The Stella Artois Lounge is located behind the Ellerslie Stand, near the Information Kiosk.
Gates open at 10.00am, hospitality commences at 11.30am. First race is at 12.30pm with the last race at 6.15pm.
For more information about racing at Ellerslie visit www.ellerslie.co.nz
or Ph 09 524 4069
The feature races of the day are the Group I $200,000 Ford Diamond Stakes (for the country's best two-year-olds) and the Group I $200,000 SKYCITY New Zealand Stakes.
For the sophisticated and glamourous, the place to be is Cuvee Champagne Bar & Lawn! With prime views of the birdcage and track Cuvee is where you want to be! For only $100 (+ gst) you will receive a drink on arrival and exquisite lunch.
The best-dressed ladies oncourse are in with a chance to win every girl's best friend - a fabulous $25,000 diamond as part of the Angela Daniel Jewellery Diamond Darling fashion competition!
500 well-dressed ladies will be rewarded for their efforts with a very special goodie bag containing items from SKYCITY, FashioNZ.co.nz, L’Oreal, Tamara Spa, BodyTech, Diesel, Dr. LeWinn’s, OFF Wax/Brow Bar, Lindauer, Elizabeth Arden, Fujifilm and Olive Body Care.
AND the Lindauer Powder Room will be open for a little indulgence - get your makeup touched up while enjoying a complimentary glass of Lindauer Special Reserve!
Or learn to be a Stella Artois draughtmaster! You are invited to come along to The Stella Artois Lounge and show off your polished expertise in the art of pouring a perfect Stella Artois. Kirsty McLean, the 2008 Stella Artois New Zealand Draught Masters Champion will be watching over proceedings and 'The Outwits' will be on hand to entertain. The Stella Artois Lounge is located behind the Ellerslie Stand, near the Information Kiosk.
Gates open at 10.00am, hospitality commences at 11.30am. First race is at 12.30pm with the last race at 6.15pm.
For more information about racing at Ellerslie visit www.ellerslie.co.nz
or Ph 09 524 4069
Yovich takes honours in State Twenty20 MVP
Despite his team ending the competition winless, State Northern Knights all-rounder Joseph Yovich has taken out the State Twenty20 MVP title ahead of Graham Napier and State Otago Volts Aaron Redmond and Nathan McCullum. Yovich struggled to find his touch with the bat in a difficult few weeks for the Knights, but his form with the ball has been sensational. He took a wicket in every game, with 3 for 23 against the State Canterbury Wizards and 3 for 34 versus the State Central Stags. Yovich is thrilled to see his name at the top of the leaderboard.
“After our success in the State Shield final we were really looking forward to a good competition in the State Twenty20. Obviously it didn’t turn out that way for the side, but it is great to have performed so consistently with the ball myself. Beating the likes of Napier, Redmond and Franklin to take out the MVP title feels pretty good. I just hope I can continue bowling well in the last few rounds of the State Championship, and that the team gets a few more wins under our belts.”
Meanwhile Volts batsman Aaron Redmond finished top of the batting table for the State Twenty20 MVP, averaging 54.16 to play a crucial role in his side’s overall victory in the competition.
MVP Top Five at a glance
1 G Napier (WGN) 329.54 points
2 E Thompson (CD) 267.02
3 N Wagner (OTG) 257.73
4 J Franklin (WGN) 257.15
5 M Sinclair (CD) 255.56
State Twenty20 Top Five
1 J Yovich (ND) 97.43
2 G Napier (WGN) 93.02
3 A Redmond (OTG) 83.67
4 N McCullum (OTG) 83.58
5 L Woodcock (WGM) 77.51
“After our success in the State Shield final we were really looking forward to a good competition in the State Twenty20. Obviously it didn’t turn out that way for the side, but it is great to have performed so consistently with the ball myself. Beating the likes of Napier, Redmond and Franklin to take out the MVP title feels pretty good. I just hope I can continue bowling well in the last few rounds of the State Championship, and that the team gets a few more wins under our belts.”
Meanwhile Volts batsman Aaron Redmond finished top of the batting table for the State Twenty20 MVP, averaging 54.16 to play a crucial role in his side’s overall victory in the competition.
MVP Top Five at a glance
1 G Napier (WGN) 329.54 points
2 E Thompson (CD) 267.02
3 N Wagner (OTG) 257.73
4 J Franklin (WGN) 257.15
5 M Sinclair (CD) 255.56
State Twenty20 Top Five
1 J Yovich (ND) 97.43
2 G Napier (WGN) 93.02
3 A Redmond (OTG) 83.67
4 N McCullum (OTG) 83.58
5 L Woodcock (WGM) 77.51
Statham To Play First In Davis Cup Clash
If experience counts for something then New Zealand should breeze through its first round Asia/Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie against Malaysia at the Albany Tennis Park in North Harbour starting tomorrow.
New Zealand No1 Rubin, 22 who has an ATP world ranking of 425 faces the Malaysian No2 Razlan Rawi in the first match of the tie, which starts indoors at 2pm.
The second match will feature New Zealand’s No2, Dan King-Turner(453) against Malaysian No1 Yew Ming Si who at 30 years old has been playing Davis Cup since 2002 and is the only member of his side who has had an ATP ranking.
In the doubles King-Turner is listed to play with GD Jones on Saturday with the reverse singles on Sunday. The other member of the New Zealand team is Aucklander Adam Thompson.
Despite their lack of experience compared to the Kiwis, hometown captain James Greenhalgh says he’s seen the visitors practice and believes they won’t be a pushover.
“I’m confident Rubin and Dan will play well this weekend. They are in good shape and have had excellent preparation. It’s most important we don’t underestimate the unknown, especially in Davis Cup. We are approaching it the same way as any other Davis Cup matches we’ve played. We have the home tie and it’s a venue we’re used to. The players are comfortable and the advantage is four our guys,” say Greenhalgh.
It is the first time the two nations have played each other. Malaysia was promoted from Group III last year while New Zealand lost 2-3 to China in the Group II final in 2008
The winner of the tie will play either Indonesia or Kuwait in July with the hope the New Zealand side can work its way back up Asia/Oceania Group I alongside nations such as Australia, India, Japan and Thailand.
The Davis Cup is followed by the ASB Pro Circuit men’s US$15,000 Futures and women’s US$10,000 tournament starting Tuesday 9 March also at the Albany Tennis Park
New Zealand No1 Rubin, 22 who has an ATP world ranking of 425 faces the Malaysian No2 Razlan Rawi in the first match of the tie, which starts indoors at 2pm.
The second match will feature New Zealand’s No2, Dan King-Turner(453) against Malaysian No1 Yew Ming Si who at 30 years old has been playing Davis Cup since 2002 and is the only member of his side who has had an ATP ranking.
In the doubles King-Turner is listed to play with GD Jones on Saturday with the reverse singles on Sunday. The other member of the New Zealand team is Aucklander Adam Thompson.
Despite their lack of experience compared to the Kiwis, hometown captain James Greenhalgh says he’s seen the visitors practice and believes they won’t be a pushover.
“I’m confident Rubin and Dan will play well this weekend. They are in good shape and have had excellent preparation. It’s most important we don’t underestimate the unknown, especially in Davis Cup. We are approaching it the same way as any other Davis Cup matches we’ve played. We have the home tie and it’s a venue we’re used to. The players are comfortable and the advantage is four our guys,” say Greenhalgh.
It is the first time the two nations have played each other. Malaysia was promoted from Group III last year while New Zealand lost 2-3 to China in the Group II final in 2008
The winner of the tie will play either Indonesia or Kuwait in July with the hope the New Zealand side can work its way back up Asia/Oceania Group I alongside nations such as Australia, India, Japan and Thailand.
The Davis Cup is followed by the ASB Pro Circuit men’s US$15,000 Futures and women’s US$10,000 tournament starting Tuesday 9 March also at the Albany Tennis Park
McCullum unable to wicketkeep after thumb injury
Brendon McCullum will not be keeping wickets in tomorrow's [Friday] One Day International against India at Westpac Stadium, Wellington.
McCullum took a blow to his right thumb while batting in the Napier ODI, which has aggravated an old injury causing significant bruising.
New Zealand team manager Dave Currie said medical assessment had ruled McCullum out of keeping wickets in Friday's game. "We're hopeful that he will be able to bat. He will have a nets session and further assessment this afternoon to determine whether he will be able to play as a batsman."
State Northern Knights (Northern Districts) wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan has been called into the BLACKCAPS squad as 'keeper for Friday's game.
McCullum took a blow to his right thumb while batting in the Napier ODI, which has aggravated an old injury causing significant bruising.
New Zealand team manager Dave Currie said medical assessment had ruled McCullum out of keeping wickets in Friday's game. "We're hopeful that he will be able to bat. He will have a nets session and further assessment this afternoon to determine whether he will be able to play as a batsman."
State Northern Knights (Northern Districts) wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan has been called into the BLACKCAPS squad as 'keeper for Friday's game.
Crusaders team v Highlanders
Laulala ruled out with shoulder injury
Crusaders centre Casey Laulala has been ruled out of Saturday night’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match against the Highlanders at Carisbrook due to a shoulder injury.
Laulala, who has scored four tries in the first three rounds of the competition, injured his right shoulder in the match against the Hurricanes last weekend. He will be replaced by Adam Whitelock.
Fullback Leon MacDonald has also failed a fitness test on his shoulder which he injured in the first-round victory over the Chiefs. Stephen Brett, who has worn the No15 jersey against the Brumbies and the Hurricanes, will again wear it against the Highlanders.
Prop Ben Franks (foot) has been bracketed with Bronson Murray and halfback Andy Ellis (sprained ankle) has been bracketed with Kahn Fotuali’i.
Tasman wing Blair Cook, 25, will earn his first Crusaders cap when coming on to the left flank as a replacement for Kade Poki, who sprained an ankle against the Hurricanes last weekend.
Hamish Gard comes on to the bench as cover for the backs.
The Crusaders team to play the Highlanders at 7.35pm on Saturday, March 7, at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin, is as follows:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Ben Franks / Bronson Murray
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ross Filipo
6. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (Capt)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Andy Ellis / Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Colin Slade
11. Blair Cook
12. Tim Bateman
13. Adam Whitelock
14. Jared Payne
15. Stephen Brett
16. Dan Perrin
17. Bronson Murray / Owen Franks
18. Isaac Ross
19. George Whitelock
20. Kahn Fotuali’i / Tyson Keats
21. Ryan Crotty
22. Hamish Gard
Crusaders centre Casey Laulala has been ruled out of Saturday night’s Rebel Sport Super 14 match against the Highlanders at Carisbrook due to a shoulder injury.
Laulala, who has scored four tries in the first three rounds of the competition, injured his right shoulder in the match against the Hurricanes last weekend. He will be replaced by Adam Whitelock.
Fullback Leon MacDonald has also failed a fitness test on his shoulder which he injured in the first-round victory over the Chiefs. Stephen Brett, who has worn the No15 jersey against the Brumbies and the Hurricanes, will again wear it against the Highlanders.
Prop Ben Franks (foot) has been bracketed with Bronson Murray and halfback Andy Ellis (sprained ankle) has been bracketed with Kahn Fotuali’i.
Tasman wing Blair Cook, 25, will earn his first Crusaders cap when coming on to the left flank as a replacement for Kade Poki, who sprained an ankle against the Hurricanes last weekend.
Hamish Gard comes on to the bench as cover for the backs.
The Crusaders team to play the Highlanders at 7.35pm on Saturday, March 7, at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin, is as follows:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Ben Franks / Bronson Murray
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ross Filipo
6. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (Capt)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Andy Ellis / Kahn Fotuali’i
10. Colin Slade
11. Blair Cook
12. Tim Bateman
13. Adam Whitelock
14. Jared Payne
15. Stephen Brett
16. Dan Perrin
17. Bronson Murray / Owen Franks
18. Isaac Ross
19. George Whitelock
20. Kahn Fotuali’i / Tyson Keats
21. Ryan Crotty
22. Hamish Gard
Arsenal Update
Arsenal racked up a fourth consecutive goalless draw in the Premier League when they drew a blank against Fulham, but the Gunners got back on track with a 3-1 win at West Brom thanks to Bendtner's brace and Toure's first goal of the season. The Reserves crashed 3-0 at Fulham but Arsenal Ladies completed the first leg of a possible domestic treble, beating Doncaster 5-0 in the League Cup Final. The Under-18s won too, edging Portsmouth 1-0 in the Academy League.
Off the pitch…
Arsenal announced its financial results for six months to November 30 - here's what Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis had to say about them. Queensland Road was granted planning permission, groundsman Paul Burgess joined Real Madrid and Henri Lansbury extended his loan spell at Scunthorpe. Arsenal fans voted for their O2/Arsenal.com Player of the Month and the club's official website launched its new Arsenal History section - with a retro 1989 shirt up for grabs.
Off the pitch…
Arsenal announced its financial results for six months to November 30 - here's what Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis had to say about them. Queensland Road was granted planning permission, groundsman Paul Burgess joined Real Madrid and Henri Lansbury extended his loan spell at Scunthorpe. Arsenal fans voted for their O2/Arsenal.com Player of the Month and the club's official website launched its new Arsenal History section - with a retro 1989 shirt up for grabs.
Sydney Origin tickets on sale
Aussie NSW Blues fans will be able to go to Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney wearing a brand new jumper as part of a special $100 ticket package that goes on sale today courtesy of Aussie.
And Blues fans are being urged to buy their tickets early with a Queensland Supporter Bay to be available for the first time as the Maroons seek to steal the home-ground advantage.
Tickets for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney will go on sale to the general public today from 9am.
Just by purchasing a ticket to the match, 3000 Blues fans will have the opportunity to purchase a NSW jersey for just $70, simply by clicking on the link provided on their electronic ticket confirmation page. Phone or outlet customers will be asked in person.
If fans buy one of the limited number of $30 Category 3 tickets still available, that means a trip to the watch the greatest interstate rivalry in Australian sport wearing a brand new Blues jersey will cost just $100.
Passionate Blues fans wanting to join thousands of others in a colourful display of blue are invited to join the Blatchy’s Blues supporters group in Bays 116-118 of Category 3 tickets – they cost $60 and included a supporter’s T-shirt and blue wig.
The Maroons supporters bay is 144, also in category 3, with the $60 ticket including a Maroon wig.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
Full information about the $70 jersey promotion is available on the Harvey Norman State of Origin page on the Ticketek website.
Please note, NRL Club Members who have already purchased tickets will be contacted to see if they wish to take up the $70 jersey offer, or can contact the NRL to lodge their interest.
Tickets for Game 1 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (formerly called Telstra Dome) are already on sale through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
And Blues fans are being urged to buy their tickets early with a Queensland Supporter Bay to be available for the first time as the Maroons seek to steal the home-ground advantage.
Tickets for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney will go on sale to the general public today from 9am.
Just by purchasing a ticket to the match, 3000 Blues fans will have the opportunity to purchase a NSW jersey for just $70, simply by clicking on the link provided on their electronic ticket confirmation page. Phone or outlet customers will be asked in person.
If fans buy one of the limited number of $30 Category 3 tickets still available, that means a trip to the watch the greatest interstate rivalry in Australian sport wearing a brand new Blues jersey will cost just $100.
Passionate Blues fans wanting to join thousands of others in a colourful display of blue are invited to join the Blatchy’s Blues supporters group in Bays 116-118 of Category 3 tickets – they cost $60 and included a supporter’s T-shirt and blue wig.
The Maroons supporters bay is 144, also in category 3, with the $60 ticket including a Maroon wig.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
Full information about the $70 jersey promotion is available on the Harvey Norman State of Origin page on the Ticketek website.
Please note, NRL Club Members who have already purchased tickets will be contacted to see if they wish to take up the $70 jersey offer, or can contact the NRL to lodge their interest.
Tickets for Game 1 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (formerly called Telstra Dome) are already on sale through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
SANZAR Executive Committee meeting concludes in Dubai
The SANZAR Executive Committee has today held constructive and robust discussions around the future of SANZAR competition structures for 2011 and beyond. SANZAR remains confident that it will be in a position to present a compelling offer to its broadcast partners by the end of June.
The Executive Committee was provided with a detailed options paper by the joint Working Party involving representatives from all three National Unions and the Players Associations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
SANZAR has appointed a dedicated project manager who will continue to work with the Working Party in refining the preferred competition structures for Super Rugby and Tri Nations.
This will see an expansion in the format of Super Rugby with geographically based conferences and expanded finals.
The Executive Committee also considered a further report from Argentina and has asked the Working Party to perform further analysis on the viability of Argentina joining the Tri Nations.
The Executive Committee was provided with a detailed options paper by the joint Working Party involving representatives from all three National Unions and the Players Associations of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
SANZAR has appointed a dedicated project manager who will continue to work with the Working Party in refining the preferred competition structures for Super Rugby and Tri Nations.
This will see an expansion in the format of Super Rugby with geographically based conferences and expanded finals.
The Executive Committee also considered a further report from Argentina and has asked the Working Party to perform further analysis on the viability of Argentina joining the Tri Nations.
FOLKESTONE RFC WIN TRAINING SESSION WITH ENGLAND RUGBY TEAM
Maximum Rugby (www.maximumrugby.com) today announces that Folkestone RFC are the lucky recipients of a prize offered by official sponsor O2, to take part in an England Rugby squad training session, in preparation for their RBS 6 Nations clash with France on Sunday 15th March at Twickenham.
The winners will be able to take part in a coaching session at England’s training base at Pennyhill Park, and get to train with some of England’s elite players. Folkestone RFC were selected at random as the winning club after fulfilling the criteria to enter by joining Maximum Rugby and entering 20 club members by 21st February 2009.
Folkestone Team Manager, Phil Cooper, is delighted with their prize: “We are certainly looking forward to our experience with the England team. Our club are very grateful to Maximum Rugby and O2 for giving us this opportunity, especially as we find the site so useful, for both coaches and players.
“It has been a great addition to our club, making organisation and communication so much quicker and easier – especially for the players away at university, or who are in the military. We now have one central place for us to keep in touch easily and arrange things like training, matches and travel, and it certainly helps with the profile of the club, and the recruitment of new players.”
Nic Fletcher, Head of Sports Sponsorship, Telefónica O2 UK commented: “At O2 we are committed to supporting rugby at every level of the game and are delighted to be giving players this opportunity to train with their heroes.”
Maximum Rugby is an exciting new website for rugby players, club coaches, officials and fans. For players, it is a social community, allowing them to search for clubs, interact with each other and other clubs, post messages, pictures and videos and relive the highs and lows of the game. For coaches, it provides a comprehensive tool to organise games, keep in contact with their squad and upload match reports. Maximum Rugby is also a portal for all fans, supplying them with all the latest news from the world of rugby. The site has more than 50 clubs already registered, and to find out more, or to join Maximum Rugby, please visit www.maximumrugby.com.
O2, official sponsor of England Rugby, is the official and principle sponsor of Maximum Rugby. The competition is the first of many promotions to be offered by O2, giving users the chance to win ‘money can’t buy prizes’.
Fast Web Media, a digital media company specialising in Online Marketing (including SEO), Social Media and Website Development, has developed and owns the Maximum Rugby website.
The winners will be able to take part in a coaching session at England’s training base at Pennyhill Park, and get to train with some of England’s elite players. Folkestone RFC were selected at random as the winning club after fulfilling the criteria to enter by joining Maximum Rugby and entering 20 club members by 21st February 2009.
Folkestone Team Manager, Phil Cooper, is delighted with their prize: “We are certainly looking forward to our experience with the England team. Our club are very grateful to Maximum Rugby and O2 for giving us this opportunity, especially as we find the site so useful, for both coaches and players.
“It has been a great addition to our club, making organisation and communication so much quicker and easier – especially for the players away at university, or who are in the military. We now have one central place for us to keep in touch easily and arrange things like training, matches and travel, and it certainly helps with the profile of the club, and the recruitment of new players.”
Nic Fletcher, Head of Sports Sponsorship, Telefónica O2 UK commented: “At O2 we are committed to supporting rugby at every level of the game and are delighted to be giving players this opportunity to train with their heroes.”
Maximum Rugby is an exciting new website for rugby players, club coaches, officials and fans. For players, it is a social community, allowing them to search for clubs, interact with each other and other clubs, post messages, pictures and videos and relive the highs and lows of the game. For coaches, it provides a comprehensive tool to organise games, keep in contact with their squad and upload match reports. Maximum Rugby is also a portal for all fans, supplying them with all the latest news from the world of rugby. The site has more than 50 clubs already registered, and to find out more, or to join Maximum Rugby, please visit www.maximumrugby.com.
O2, official sponsor of England Rugby, is the official and principle sponsor of Maximum Rugby. The competition is the first of many promotions to be offered by O2, giving users the chance to win ‘money can’t buy prizes’.
Fast Web Media, a digital media company specialising in Online Marketing (including SEO), Social Media and Website Development, has developed and owns the Maximum Rugby website.
Injury forces change to New Zealand Women’s Sevens RWC team
The New Zealand Women’s Sevens team has been forced to make a late change to its Rugby World Cup squad in Dubai after Exia Edwards was ruled out of the tournament.
Edwards, from Bay of Plenty, had been struck ill soon after arriving in Dubai and has been diagnosed with a suspected kidney infection. She is being treated in hospital in Dubai.
Her replacement, Auckland’s Angela McGregor, will join the squad in Dubai on Thursday. The inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens starts on Friday.
New Zealand Women’s Sevens coach Darryl Suasua said the main concern presently was for Edwards’ health and ensuring she gets the care she needs and can return to New Zealand as soon as possible.
“It’s naturally a huge disappointment for Exia after all the hard work she has put in to prepare for this tournament. But right now, the focus is on getting her back to health.”
McGregor had been part of the RWC Sevens training squad and will take Edwards’ place in the team.
“We will miss Exia’s experience but Angela has been with us right up until we named the squad so will fit in with the team well.”
The updated New Zealand Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens squad is: Julie Ferguson (Hawke’s Bay) Victoria Grant (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Justine Lavea (Auckland), Angela McGregor (Auckland), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Hannah Porter (Captain, Auckland), Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland), Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), Rachel Wikeepa (Waikato), Selica Winiata (Manawatu).
The 2009 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens takes place in Dubai from 6-7 March.
Edwards, from Bay of Plenty, had been struck ill soon after arriving in Dubai and has been diagnosed with a suspected kidney infection. She is being treated in hospital in Dubai.
Her replacement, Auckland’s Angela McGregor, will join the squad in Dubai on Thursday. The inaugural Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens starts on Friday.
New Zealand Women’s Sevens coach Darryl Suasua said the main concern presently was for Edwards’ health and ensuring she gets the care she needs and can return to New Zealand as soon as possible.
“It’s naturally a huge disappointment for Exia after all the hard work she has put in to prepare for this tournament. But right now, the focus is on getting her back to health.”
McGregor had been part of the RWC Sevens training squad and will take Edwards’ place in the team.
“We will miss Exia’s experience but Angela has been with us right up until we named the squad so will fit in with the team well.”
The updated New Zealand Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens squad is: Julie Ferguson (Hawke’s Bay) Victoria Grant (Auckland), Carla Hohepa (Otago), Linda Itunu (Auckland), Justine Lavea (Auckland), Angela McGregor (Auckland), Huriana Manuel (Auckland), Hannah Porter (Captain, Auckland), Teresa Te Tamaki (Auckland), Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau), Rachel Wikeepa (Waikato), Selica Winiata (Manawatu).
The 2009 Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens takes place in Dubai from 6-7 March.
Injury forces change to New Zealand Sevens RWC squad
The New Zealand Sevens men’s team has been forced to make a late change to its Rugby World Cup squad in Dubai after Tu Umaga Marshall was ruled out of the tournament with a lower back strain.
His replacement, also from Wellington, is Julian Savea who has joined the squad in Dubai.
Savea is part of the New Zealand Sevens national squad and played the opening two tournaments of the 2008-2009 IRB World Sevens Series in Dubai and George.
New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said losing Umaga Marshall was a blow this close to the tournament, and adds to the miserable run of injuries which his squad has sustained in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.
“I’m disappointed for Tu, who has worked hard to get ready for the World Cup. But like the earlier injuries, we have to move on and ensure we perform when the tournament starts on Thursday.”
The updated New Zealand Sevens RWC squad is: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Victor Vito (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).
The Rugby World Cup Sevens takes place at Dubai’s ‘The Sevens’ stadium from March 5-7.
His replacement, also from Wellington, is Julian Savea who has joined the squad in Dubai.
Savea is part of the New Zealand Sevens national squad and played the opening two tournaments of the 2008-2009 IRB World Sevens Series in Dubai and George.
New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens said losing Umaga Marshall was a blow this close to the tournament, and adds to the miserable run of injuries which his squad has sustained in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.
“I’m disappointed for Tu, who has worked hard to get ready for the World Cup. But like the earlier injuries, we have to move on and ensure we perform when the tournament starts on Thursday.”
The updated New Zealand Sevens RWC squad is: Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), DJ Forbes (Captain, Counties Manukau), Paul Grant (Otago), Nigel Hunt (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (Bay of Plenty), Tim Nanai Williams (Counties Manukau), Lote Raikabula (Manawatu), Julian Savea (Wellington), Ben Souness (Taranaki), Chad Tuoro (Counties Manukau), Victor Vito (Wellington), Viliame Waqaseduadua (North Harbour).
The Rugby World Cup Sevens takes place at Dubai’s ‘The Sevens’ stadium from March 5-7.
WHITE FERNS LOSE BY 27 RUNS TO INDIA IN FINAL WORLD CUP WARM UP MATCH
The White Ferns were beaten by India in the final warm up for both sides prior to this weekend's opening match in the ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP.
India were inserted by The White Ferns and were patient in accumulating 168/6 in their fifty overs on a well used Old Kings pitch at Parramatta.
Anjum Chopra 73 not out anchored the India batting with Priyanka Roy scoring 44.
Nicola Browne 2/23 off 9 and Lucy Doolan 2/22 also off 9 overs were the stand out bowlers for New Zealand.
The White Ferns were then bowled out for 141 in 44 overs.
Aimee Mason batting at five was unbeaten on 39, opener, Suzie Bates with 34 the only other White Fern to trouble the Indian attack.
White Ferns coach Gary Stead is rueing a lack of discipline and application by the batters against the three spronged Indian spin attack.
Left arm orthodox spinner, Sultana Gouyah 2/18 and right arm leg spinner, Priyanka Roy 2/36 made regular in roads into the White Ferns batting line up.
Stead said he was very impressed with the White Ferns pace bowling from Browne and Kate Pulford and also the spinners Doolan and Mason.
The White Ferns re group over the next three days before their World Cup opening clash with defending champions, Australia on Sunday.
Rankings for this 2009 ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP.
1: Australia
2; India.
3: New Zealand
4; England.
India were inserted by The White Ferns and were patient in accumulating 168/6 in their fifty overs on a well used Old Kings pitch at Parramatta.
Anjum Chopra 73 not out anchored the India batting with Priyanka Roy scoring 44.
Nicola Browne 2/23 off 9 and Lucy Doolan 2/22 also off 9 overs were the stand out bowlers for New Zealand.
The White Ferns were then bowled out for 141 in 44 overs.
Aimee Mason batting at five was unbeaten on 39, opener, Suzie Bates with 34 the only other White Fern to trouble the Indian attack.
White Ferns coach Gary Stead is rueing a lack of discipline and application by the batters against the three spronged Indian spin attack.
Left arm orthodox spinner, Sultana Gouyah 2/18 and right arm leg spinner, Priyanka Roy 2/36 made regular in roads into the White Ferns batting line up.
Stead said he was very impressed with the White Ferns pace bowling from Browne and Kate Pulford and also the spinners Doolan and Mason.
The White Ferns re group over the next three days before their World Cup opening clash with defending champions, Australia on Sunday.
Rankings for this 2009 ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP.
1: Australia
2; India.
3: New Zealand
4; England.
EWGA And EGU Begin Merger Talks
Representatives of the English Women’s Golf Association and the English Golf Union have met to re-open talks on the possibility of merger between the two organisations.
It was agreed at the meeting held at The Belfry on Friday February 27 to explore the proposal in more detail. A series of steering group sessions is being scheduled over the next few months and working groups made up of staff and officials will be set up to look at particular aspects of the merger including finance, governance and communications issues.
It is anticipated that county representatives from both organisations will be briefed on progress at the end of June.
Sue Whittaker, chairman of the EWGA management board said: “The initial meeting went well and provided an excellent opportunity for the two organisations to exchange views in an informal setting.”
Nigel Evans, chairman of the EGU board, said: “The meeting was positive and allowed both organisations to highlight the numerous areas that need to be considered. I look forward to taking the discussions to the next stage.”
The EGU has about 740,000 members in over 1900 golf clubs, while the EWGA represents around 120,000 women and girl members in more than 1780 golf clubs.
It was agreed at the meeting held at The Belfry on Friday February 27 to explore the proposal in more detail. A series of steering group sessions is being scheduled over the next few months and working groups made up of staff and officials will be set up to look at particular aspects of the merger including finance, governance and communications issues.
It is anticipated that county representatives from both organisations will be briefed on progress at the end of June.
Sue Whittaker, chairman of the EWGA management board said: “The initial meeting went well and provided an excellent opportunity for the two organisations to exchange views in an informal setting.”
Nigel Evans, chairman of the EGU board, said: “The meeting was positive and allowed both organisations to highlight the numerous areas that need to be considered. I look forward to taking the discussions to the next stage.”
The EGU has about 740,000 members in over 1900 golf clubs, while the EWGA represents around 120,000 women and girl members in more than 1780 golf clubs.
MEMORIAL SERVICES BEING HELD FOR SONNY FAI NEXT WEEK
Sonny Fai’s life is to be marked at two memorial services in Auckland next week.
The 20-year-old Vodafone Warriors rugby league player disappeared after rescuing his brother and four cousins when they got into difficulty at Bethells Beach on January 4.
He was due to be reunited with his NRL team-mates the following day for the start of the club’s preseason training programme ahead of the 2009 campaign.
Despite extensive searches and the Fai family’s constant vigils, there has been no sign of Sonny since.
Today his sister Lalelei said the family had decided it was time to honour him.
“We are going through a difficult time, still praying and hoping that Sonny will come back to us,” she said.
“We haven’t given up but as a family we need to carry on with our lives and Sonny deserves to have his life celebrated in an appropriate way. I thank God that Dad and Mum have found the strength to decide to have these memorial services. It’s a big step for them to do this.
“We also thought it was best to honour Sonny this way before the Warriors start the NRL season. They are such a big part of this. They’ve been like family throughout the whole time and we know Sonny would have wanted us to do it this way.”
Lalelei Fai said the first memorial service would be held at the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu at 10.00am on Monday (March 9) followed by a gathering at the Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere.
On Tuesday there would be another service at Bethells Beach, starting at 4.00pm and followed by what Lalelei said would be a celebration party.
“The service at our church and then the gathering at the community centre will be private for family, close friends, the Warriors and church members,” she said.
“We would like the public to join us at Bethells Beach the following day. After the service near the water we will be having a party. We’ll have Sonny’s music playing and we want everyone to help us celebrate his life.”
Lalelei Fai said the family planned to have a plaque placed at Bethells Beach commemorating Sonny.
Meanwhile, Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club was well advanced in its plans for a special Sonny Fai day when the club’s NRL and NYC teams play South Sydney at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday, April 5. The NRL has also approved a request from the club to have both teams on the field for a minute’s silence before the Vodafone Warriors’ season-opening NRL encounter with Parramatta on March 14.
The 20-year-old Vodafone Warriors rugby league player disappeared after rescuing his brother and four cousins when they got into difficulty at Bethells Beach on January 4.
He was due to be reunited with his NRL team-mates the following day for the start of the club’s preseason training programme ahead of the 2009 campaign.
Despite extensive searches and the Fai family’s constant vigils, there has been no sign of Sonny since.
Today his sister Lalelei said the family had decided it was time to honour him.
“We are going through a difficult time, still praying and hoping that Sonny will come back to us,” she said.
“We haven’t given up but as a family we need to carry on with our lives and Sonny deserves to have his life celebrated in an appropriate way. I thank God that Dad and Mum have found the strength to decide to have these memorial services. It’s a big step for them to do this.
“We also thought it was best to honour Sonny this way before the Warriors start the NRL season. They are such a big part of this. They’ve been like family throughout the whole time and we know Sonny would have wanted us to do it this way.”
Lalelei Fai said the first memorial service would be held at the Samoan Methodist Church in Otahuhu at 10.00am on Monday (March 9) followed by a gathering at the Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere.
On Tuesday there would be another service at Bethells Beach, starting at 4.00pm and followed by what Lalelei said would be a celebration party.
“The service at our church and then the gathering at the community centre will be private for family, close friends, the Warriors and church members,” she said.
“We would like the public to join us at Bethells Beach the following day. After the service near the water we will be having a party. We’ll have Sonny’s music playing and we want everyone to help us celebrate his life.”
Lalelei Fai said the family planned to have a plaque placed at Bethells Beach commemorating Sonny.
Meanwhile, Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said the club was well advanced in its plans for a special Sonny Fai day when the club’s NRL and NYC teams play South Sydney at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday, April 5. The NRL has also approved a request from the club to have both teams on the field for a minute’s silence before the Vodafone Warriors’ season-opening NRL encounter with Parramatta on March 14.
No decision yet on NZ tour to Pakistan
New Zealand Cricket has yet to make a final decision on the future of its proposed tour to Pakistan later this year.
NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said today that following the shocking attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore yesterday, it appeared unlikely the tour would proceed in Pakistan as planned.
“Given the tragic events of yesterday and the comments from the ICC, staging our tour in Pakistan in November-December would appear very unlikely, but there is no final decision as yet. We will discuss the security issue with the Pakistan Cricket Board at the next ICC meeting, and we are likely to look at options such as the use of neutral venues.
“Player safety and security is of paramount importance," Vaughan said. "We will work closely with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association as we work through arrangements."
Vaughan said the attack in Lahore had come as a shock to the cricket community in New Zealand and worldwide.
“This was a very sad day for cricket and for Pakistan. Our thoughts go out to Sri Lankan and Pakistan Cricket, and to the families of those killed in the attack.”
NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said today that following the shocking attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore yesterday, it appeared unlikely the tour would proceed in Pakistan as planned.
“Given the tragic events of yesterday and the comments from the ICC, staging our tour in Pakistan in November-December would appear very unlikely, but there is no final decision as yet. We will discuss the security issue with the Pakistan Cricket Board at the next ICC meeting, and we are likely to look at options such as the use of neutral venues.
“Player safety and security is of paramount importance," Vaughan said. "We will work closely with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association as we work through arrangements."
Vaughan said the attack in Lahore had come as a shock to the cricket community in New Zealand and worldwide.
“This was a very sad day for cricket and for Pakistan. Our thoughts go out to Sri Lankan and Pakistan Cricket, and to the families of those killed in the attack.”
Kiwis Gain Main Draw Wildcards For ASB Pro Circuit Events
Wildcards have been confirmed for the first week of the US$75,000 ASB Pro Circuit tennis Futures to be staged at North Harbour with some of New Zealand’s best talent being given an opportunity to shine in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
The main draw men’s places go to Davis Cup player Adam Thompson(Auckland), Oliver Statham(Auckland), Finn Tearney(Wellington) and Matt Simpson(North Harbour), all of whom have ATP international rankings. Wairarapa’s Marcus Daniell who has an ATP ranking of 812 has moved directly into the main draw on his own merit.
The women’s event has wildcards being awarded to Di Hollands the winner of numerous domestic titles as well powerful Aucklander Kairangi Vano and Shona Lee all part of the New Zealand Fed Cup team which lost to Australia in the final of the Asia/Pacific competition. The fourth wildcard goes to Australian based Kiwi 16-year-old Chelsea Te Tai.
The first week of the three week circuit will be held at the Albany Tennis Centre, North Harbour 9-15 March where the men’s professional ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournament worth US$15,000 and the women’s tournament US$10,000 will take place followed the next week at Hamilton and the final week at Wellington.
In the men’s draw several Kiwis gain direct entries with Kiwi Davis Cup team members Rubin Statham at 425 in the world, Dan King-Turner (453) and GD Jones ranked at 651 all making the main draw cut.
In the qualifying draw are a number of New Zealand players such as former Canterbury rep, Logan MacKenzie, highly ranked Christchurch teen, Barrett Franks as well as American based Aucklander Jordan Cox will feature as they try to gain their first ATP ranking points.
The highest ranked player in the men’s draw is Australian Miles Armstrong with a ranking of 345 with countryman Adam Feeney the likely second seed at 380. There is a strong contingent of players from Europe with Croatian, Italians and Russians represented along with players from Korea, China and Japan as well as Canada and the United States, many of whom are the future talent of the tennis world.
In the women’s field the top ranked player is Indonesian Sandy Gumlya ranked at 294 with Taipei’s Hsuan Hwang second with a ranking of 305.
The first of the ASB Pro Circuit events will be preceded by the Davis Cup tie between New Zealand and Malaysia 6-8 March on the indoor courts at Albany Tennis Park, North Harbour.
www.asbprocircuit.co.nz
The main draw men’s places go to Davis Cup player Adam Thompson(Auckland), Oliver Statham(Auckland), Finn Tearney(Wellington) and Matt Simpson(North Harbour), all of whom have ATP international rankings. Wairarapa’s Marcus Daniell who has an ATP ranking of 812 has moved directly into the main draw on his own merit.
The women’s event has wildcards being awarded to Di Hollands the winner of numerous domestic titles as well powerful Aucklander Kairangi Vano and Shona Lee all part of the New Zealand Fed Cup team which lost to Australia in the final of the Asia/Pacific competition. The fourth wildcard goes to Australian based Kiwi 16-year-old Chelsea Te Tai.
The first week of the three week circuit will be held at the Albany Tennis Centre, North Harbour 9-15 March where the men’s professional ITF (International Tennis Federation) tournament worth US$15,000 and the women’s tournament US$10,000 will take place followed the next week at Hamilton and the final week at Wellington.
In the men’s draw several Kiwis gain direct entries with Kiwi Davis Cup team members Rubin Statham at 425 in the world, Dan King-Turner (453) and GD Jones ranked at 651 all making the main draw cut.
In the qualifying draw are a number of New Zealand players such as former Canterbury rep, Logan MacKenzie, highly ranked Christchurch teen, Barrett Franks as well as American based Aucklander Jordan Cox will feature as they try to gain their first ATP ranking points.
The highest ranked player in the men’s draw is Australian Miles Armstrong with a ranking of 345 with countryman Adam Feeney the likely second seed at 380. There is a strong contingent of players from Europe with Croatian, Italians and Russians represented along with players from Korea, China and Japan as well as Canada and the United States, many of whom are the future talent of the tennis world.
In the women’s field the top ranked player is Indonesian Sandy Gumlya ranked at 294 with Taipei’s Hsuan Hwang second with a ranking of 305.
The first of the ASB Pro Circuit events will be preceded by the Davis Cup tie between New Zealand and Malaysia 6-8 March on the indoor courts at Albany Tennis Park, North Harbour.
www.asbprocircuit.co.nz
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2009 - Event Listing
Title: Phuket International Cricket Sixes 2009
Venue: Karon Stadium, Phuket, Thailand
Dates: 15th–19th April 2009
Website: www.phuketsixes.com
Organised by: the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour www.cricketsixes.com
Overview:
Staged at Karon Stadium next to Phuket's beautiful Karon Beach, the Phuket International Cricket Sixes has to be one of the most exotic locations in the world to play cricket. Winner of a global award from the International Cricket Council in 2006 the tournament annually attracts up to 28 cricket teams plus officials and supporters from all around the world to enjoy 'Fun in the Sun' where the spirit, camaraderie and off field hospitality are as keen as the on field action. Star players who have competed at the event include Adam Hollioake, Trevor Chappell, Pranab Roy, Atul Wassan, Kenny Jackson and Alan Mullally. Now in it's sixth year the Phuket Sixes generates funds for local cricket development and charities and is a premier event on the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour calendar.
Venue: Karon Stadium, Phuket, Thailand
Dates: 15th–19th April 2009
Website: www.phuketsixes.com
Organised by: the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour www.cricketsixes.com
Overview:
Staged at Karon Stadium next to Phuket's beautiful Karon Beach, the Phuket International Cricket Sixes has to be one of the most exotic locations in the world to play cricket. Winner of a global award from the International Cricket Council in 2006 the tournament annually attracts up to 28 cricket teams plus officials and supporters from all around the world to enjoy 'Fun in the Sun' where the spirit, camaraderie and off field hospitality are as keen as the on field action. Star players who have competed at the event include Adam Hollioake, Trevor Chappell, Pranab Roy, Atul Wassan, Kenny Jackson and Alan Mullally. Now in it's sixth year the Phuket Sixes generates funds for local cricket development and charities and is a premier event on the Asian Cricket Sixes Tour calendar.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
WHITE FERNS WIN WORLD CUP WARM UP MATCH
The White Ferns beat Pakistan by 126 runs in their warm up match at Manly Oval this afternoon in Sydney.
Batting first sticky conditions, The White Ferns amassed 303/9 in their fifty overs...
Openers Haidee Tiffen and Suzie Bates puton 134 for the first wicket, Bates top scoring with 80, Tiffen getting 33, Sarah McGlashan batting at 4, retired on 68 and a cameo innings from number 10, Sophie Devine smacking 23 not out from 7 deliveries, which includied 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Pakistan's spinner, Naila Nazir the most successful bowler with 2/61 off 10 overs.
Chasing 304, Pakistan totalled 177/8 off their fifty overs,
Off spinner Aimee Mason took 2/32 off ten and right armer medium pacer, Sarah Tsukigawa claiming 3/23 off seven.
White Ferns coach Gary Stead was happy with the hit out, he said the batting conditions wern't that easy, the wicket being slowish and the bounce a bit tennis ball like.
In the field, Stead was happy with the out opportunites created and while his side didn't finish off some of the run out chances, he was impressed with The White Ferns catching especially on the boundary.
Stead believes The Pakistan side has improved vastly from when he saw them play last at this International level and their spinners gave his batting line up a timely test.
Tomorrow The White Ferns will play India at Old Kings in Parramatta starting at 9-30 am local time, this their last dress rehearsal before The 2009 ICC WORLD CUP opener against Australia, Sunday March the 8th at The North Sydney Oval.
Batting first sticky conditions, The White Ferns amassed 303/9 in their fifty overs...
Openers Haidee Tiffen and Suzie Bates puton 134 for the first wicket, Bates top scoring with 80, Tiffen getting 33, Sarah McGlashan batting at 4, retired on 68 and a cameo innings from number 10, Sophie Devine smacking 23 not out from 7 deliveries, which includied 2 fours and 2 sixes.
Pakistan's spinner, Naila Nazir the most successful bowler with 2/61 off 10 overs.
Chasing 304, Pakistan totalled 177/8 off their fifty overs,
Off spinner Aimee Mason took 2/32 off ten and right armer medium pacer, Sarah Tsukigawa claiming 3/23 off seven.
White Ferns coach Gary Stead was happy with the hit out, he said the batting conditions wern't that easy, the wicket being slowish and the bounce a bit tennis ball like.
In the field, Stead was happy with the out opportunites created and while his side didn't finish off some of the run out chances, he was impressed with The White Ferns catching especially on the boundary.
Stead believes The Pakistan side has improved vastly from when he saw them play last at this International level and their spinners gave his batting line up a timely test.
Tomorrow The White Ferns will play India at Old Kings in Parramatta starting at 9-30 am local time, this their last dress rehearsal before The 2009 ICC WORLD CUP opener against Australia, Sunday March the 8th at The North Sydney Oval.
Surrey Start The 2009 Season
Surrey County Cricket Club’s full playing squad today reported back fit and ready to begin the 2009 domestic season.
With new playing additions Michael Brown, Alex Tudor and Seren Waters in attendance, the squad convened at the Brit Oval at the start of what will be a demanding pre-season programme under a cricket management team featuring new arrivals Chris Adams, Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart and Surrey’s Managing Director of Cricket Gus Mackay.
Over the next month and a half, the players will carry out a rigorous fitness regime on top of team bonding exercises, sports psychology and motivation, traditional net coaching and a warm weather pre-season tour to the Emirates ProARCH Trophy in Abu Dhabi, for which they fly out on March 14th.
When the squad returns from the tour they have a number of domestic warm up games, with trips to Beckenham to play Kent on April 6th and 7th and Grace Road in Leicestershire on April 9th and 10th. Surrey will also welcome Bradford/Leeds UCCE for a three day match on April 10th, 11th and 12th before hosting Gloucestershire in the first LV County Championship match from April 15th-18th.
Today concludes a busy off season at the Brit Oval which first saw the appointment of former Sussex Chief Executive Gus Mackay as the first Managing Director of Cricket in the country. He then led the search for a new Cricket Manager which culminated in the appointment of Chris Adams shortly before Christmas.
In the meantime Surrey and England great Graham Thorpe had returned to the Brit Oval in a full-time role after accepting a job as the Club’s full-time batting coach and pace bowler Alex Tudor was signed to a one-year deal after impressing during his loan spell from Essex at the end of 2008.
During the current year the Club has extended the contract of all-time great Mark Ramprakash, tying him to Surrey until 2011 and welcomed another all-time legend back to the dressing room in the form of Alec Stewart, who last week signed on as a part-time coach and consultant to the cricket management team.
With new playing additions Michael Brown, Alex Tudor and Seren Waters in attendance, the squad convened at the Brit Oval at the start of what will be a demanding pre-season programme under a cricket management team featuring new arrivals Chris Adams, Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart and Surrey’s Managing Director of Cricket Gus Mackay.
Over the next month and a half, the players will carry out a rigorous fitness regime on top of team bonding exercises, sports psychology and motivation, traditional net coaching and a warm weather pre-season tour to the Emirates ProARCH Trophy in Abu Dhabi, for which they fly out on March 14th.
When the squad returns from the tour they have a number of domestic warm up games, with trips to Beckenham to play Kent on April 6th and 7th and Grace Road in Leicestershire on April 9th and 10th. Surrey will also welcome Bradford/Leeds UCCE for a three day match on April 10th, 11th and 12th before hosting Gloucestershire in the first LV County Championship match from April 15th-18th.
Today concludes a busy off season at the Brit Oval which first saw the appointment of former Sussex Chief Executive Gus Mackay as the first Managing Director of Cricket in the country. He then led the search for a new Cricket Manager which culminated in the appointment of Chris Adams shortly before Christmas.
In the meantime Surrey and England great Graham Thorpe had returned to the Brit Oval in a full-time role after accepting a job as the Club’s full-time batting coach and pace bowler Alex Tudor was signed to a one-year deal after impressing during his loan spell from Essex at the end of 2008.
During the current year the Club has extended the contract of all-time great Mark Ramprakash, tying him to Surrey until 2011 and welcomed another all-time legend back to the dressing room in the form of Alec Stewart, who last week signed on as a part-time coach and consultant to the cricket management team.
Statement In Respect Of Kevin Keegan
The League Managers Association (LMA) issued the following statement in respect of Kevin Keegan:
“Newcastle United Football Club and Kevin Keegan confirm that they are engaged in a confidential arbitration process in relation to Kevin Keegan’s departure from the club in September 2008. There will be no comments or statements by either side until the arbitration finishes.”
Further information about the work of the LMA can be found at www.leaguemanagers.co.uk.
“Newcastle United Football Club and Kevin Keegan confirm that they are engaged in a confidential arbitration process in relation to Kevin Keegan’s departure from the club in September 2008. There will be no comments or statements by either side until the arbitration finishes.”
Further information about the work of the LMA can be found at www.leaguemanagers.co.uk.
Black Sticks : TWO MORE DEBUTANTS NAMED FOR AZLAN SHAH
Black Sticks Men’s coach, Shane McLeod is continuing with his talent development programme by naming two more debutants in the team to play in the Azlan Shah Tournament in April in Malaysia. NZ will face Egypt, Malaysia, Pakistan and India in the 5 nation’s tournament and although a number of front line players will still be missing – the team will be keen to progress from the disappointing series loss to India last week.
The Black Sticks will be bolstered by the return of Olympians Kyle Pontifex, Blair Hopping, Dave Kosoof and Ben Collier – Hopping in particular will add some much needed steel and direction to the Black Sticks defence.
The two debutants are Arun Panchia from Auckland and Isaac Staples from Canterbury – both members of the recently named Junior Black Sticks team.
A number of high profile players will miss the trip including Ryan Archibald, Hayden Shaw, Phil Burrows, Simon Child, Brad Shaw and Shea McAleese.
Three players who were part of the team who went down 2-0 to India on the weekend – David Green and Shay Neal of North Harbour and James Nation of Auckland – have been left out of the team. Nation is being rested.
The Black Sticks Men to play in the Azlan Shah:
Ben Collier North Harbour
David Kosoof North Harbour
Blair Hopping North Harbour
Steve Edwards North Harbour
Bryce Collins North Harbour
Priyesh Bhana North Harbour
Dean Couzins Auckland
Arun Panchia Auckland
Richard Petherick Midlands
Lloyd Stephenson Midlands
Casey Henwood Midlands
Stephen Graham Midlands
Nick Wilson Central
Kyle Pontifex Wellington
Joel Baker Wellington
Andy Hayward Canterbury
Nick Haig Canterbury
Isaac Staples Canterbury
The Black Sticks will be bolstered by the return of Olympians Kyle Pontifex, Blair Hopping, Dave Kosoof and Ben Collier – Hopping in particular will add some much needed steel and direction to the Black Sticks defence.
The two debutants are Arun Panchia from Auckland and Isaac Staples from Canterbury – both members of the recently named Junior Black Sticks team.
A number of high profile players will miss the trip including Ryan Archibald, Hayden Shaw, Phil Burrows, Simon Child, Brad Shaw and Shea McAleese.
Three players who were part of the team who went down 2-0 to India on the weekend – David Green and Shay Neal of North Harbour and James Nation of Auckland – have been left out of the team. Nation is being rested.
The Black Sticks Men to play in the Azlan Shah:
Ben Collier North Harbour
David Kosoof North Harbour
Blair Hopping North Harbour
Steve Edwards North Harbour
Bryce Collins North Harbour
Priyesh Bhana North Harbour
Dean Couzins Auckland
Arun Panchia Auckland
Richard Petherick Midlands
Lloyd Stephenson Midlands
Casey Henwood Midlands
Stephen Graham Midlands
Nick Wilson Central
Kyle Pontifex Wellington
Joel Baker Wellington
Andy Hayward Canterbury
Nick Haig Canterbury
Isaac Staples Canterbury
A1GP News Round Up
With A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heading onto the home straight as regards Season Four attention is now switching to the next race, the championship standings and the first race of Season Five.
The sixth event of the season, A1GP Algarve, Portugal, on 10-12 April is at a brand new venue for the series and one of the most eagerly awaited on the calendar by the series in general and A1 Team Portugal in particular. A1GP is not the only series to have been to the impressive Autodromo International Algarve for testing as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver, Felipe Massa, was there in his Formula 1 car in December. The Brazilian visited A1GP Gauteng, as he was in South Africa for a sponsor event, and spent time with A1 Team Portugal where he joined Filipe Albuquerque in a photo shoot to help publicise the Algarve event.
One driver who will certainly be looking forward to this event is A1 Team Pakistan’s seat holder, Adam Khan, as this will be his Season Four debut. The 23-year-old has been dealing with the frustration of watching his fellow competitors race while his car was readied for him. His first chance to drive it came at South Africa’s Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom the week of the Kyalami race. On the Tuesday and Wednesday he completed nearly 150 laps of the 4.24 km circuit and his comments were: “It’s been a long wait for me to have a car which I could safely and comfortably fit, but it’s been worth it. I really enjoyed the handling of this new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. It was a really smooth running test and, with the excellent reliability we had, we were able to quickly move onto developing our performance.
“Unfortunately we’re a long way behind the other teams now, as they have completed five race weekends and that’s given them plenty of time to understand the complexity of the car, its handling characteristics and set-up development. We elected not to contest the South African round, but we’ll be racing again at the next round in Portugal.”
In the championship standings Switzerland has gone to the top of the points’ list for the first time this season. It is, in fact, the fourth team to do this as France and Malaysia left Zandvoort tying for the lead, Malaysia left Chengdu on its own at the top, Ireland took over and left both Sepang and Taupo in the coveted position, and now it’s the turn of the current World Cup holder. However, no doubt all those at the top of the standings will now start getting their calculators out as they will all be able to drop their worst score, and this could throw up some different scenarios. The current points’ situation has Switzerland leading Ireland by three points, but they have to watch out for the dark horse, A1 Team Portugal, who is just a further six points behind.
Now looking even further ahead to Season Five, the first confirmed event of the season will be the eagerly awaited street race on the Gold Coast, which has now been officially called the SuperGP by combining the name of the two main racing events on the programme, A1GP and V8Supercars. While A1GP will turn five next season, Queensland will be celebrating its 150th birthday. No one in A1GP is prouder of what is happening in his own backyard on the 23-25 October than A1 Team Australia seat holder, Alan Jones, who attended the recent launch of the new title. His comment was: “Everybody is very excited A1GP is going to be on the Gold Coast. I was pleasantly surprised at how many drivers and team seat holders came up to me in South Africa to let me know how happy they were that we had the Gold Coast event confirmed. It’s also one of the first things talked about when I meet people in the street or at functions at home. The local Queensland people, for example, are becoming more aware of A1GP. We’re four seasons old compared to Grand Prix that’s had over 50 seasons of racing, so it takes time to get to everyone and we need to be sure our entire nation is being told about A1GP, not just one state.”
Racing incidents are usually seen by the drivers involved in very different lights, and this certainly happened in Kyalami. While A1 Team Ireland’s Adam Carroll and A1 Team Malaysia’s Fairuz Fauzy clashed on the track in the Feature race, in the paddock it was their respective bosses who came to verbal blows! The first barrage came from Carroll’s boss, Mark Gallagher, when he said: “Frankly I’m disgusted. It’s taken us four seasons to get to this level of competitiveness. We’re pushing to win a championship and it’s not the only time that this driver has caused incidents, in fact he did the same thing to New Zealand later in the race.” Then came the reply from Jack Cunningham on behalf of Fauzy. In an A1 Team Malaysia release it was pointed out the stewards had taken no action after what the team very clearly saw as a racing incident, and Cunningham’s view was : “To blame Fairuz for the incident is unfair and we think the Irish team should stick to trying to win races rather than blaming others for their misfortune.” While Gallagher did also say A1 Team Malaysia was one of the very best in A1GP, and Cunningham that A1 Team Ireland is a highly respected team, it is obvious at the moment they are not going to be happy to have adjacent garages in Portugal.
The sixth event of the season, A1GP Algarve, Portugal, on 10-12 April is at a brand new venue for the series and one of the most eagerly awaited on the calendar by the series in general and A1 Team Portugal in particular. A1GP is not the only series to have been to the impressive Autodromo International Algarve for testing as Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro driver, Felipe Massa, was there in his Formula 1 car in December. The Brazilian visited A1GP Gauteng, as he was in South Africa for a sponsor event, and spent time with A1 Team Portugal where he joined Filipe Albuquerque in a photo shoot to help publicise the Algarve event.
One driver who will certainly be looking forward to this event is A1 Team Pakistan’s seat holder, Adam Khan, as this will be his Season Four debut. The 23-year-old has been dealing with the frustration of watching his fellow competitors race while his car was readied for him. His first chance to drive it came at South Africa’s Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom the week of the Kyalami race. On the Tuesday and Wednesday he completed nearly 150 laps of the 4.24 km circuit and his comments were: “It’s been a long wait for me to have a car which I could safely and comfortably fit, but it’s been worth it. I really enjoyed the handling of this new A1GP Powered by Ferrari car. It was a really smooth running test and, with the excellent reliability we had, we were able to quickly move onto developing our performance.
“Unfortunately we’re a long way behind the other teams now, as they have completed five race weekends and that’s given them plenty of time to understand the complexity of the car, its handling characteristics and set-up development. We elected not to contest the South African round, but we’ll be racing again at the next round in Portugal.”
In the championship standings Switzerland has gone to the top of the points’ list for the first time this season. It is, in fact, the fourth team to do this as France and Malaysia left Zandvoort tying for the lead, Malaysia left Chengdu on its own at the top, Ireland took over and left both Sepang and Taupo in the coveted position, and now it’s the turn of the current World Cup holder. However, no doubt all those at the top of the standings will now start getting their calculators out as they will all be able to drop their worst score, and this could throw up some different scenarios. The current points’ situation has Switzerland leading Ireland by three points, but they have to watch out for the dark horse, A1 Team Portugal, who is just a further six points behind.
Now looking even further ahead to Season Five, the first confirmed event of the season will be the eagerly awaited street race on the Gold Coast, which has now been officially called the SuperGP by combining the name of the two main racing events on the programme, A1GP and V8Supercars. While A1GP will turn five next season, Queensland will be celebrating its 150th birthday. No one in A1GP is prouder of what is happening in his own backyard on the 23-25 October than A1 Team Australia seat holder, Alan Jones, who attended the recent launch of the new title. His comment was: “Everybody is very excited A1GP is going to be on the Gold Coast. I was pleasantly surprised at how many drivers and team seat holders came up to me in South Africa to let me know how happy they were that we had the Gold Coast event confirmed. It’s also one of the first things talked about when I meet people in the street or at functions at home. The local Queensland people, for example, are becoming more aware of A1GP. We’re four seasons old compared to Grand Prix that’s had over 50 seasons of racing, so it takes time to get to everyone and we need to be sure our entire nation is being told about A1GP, not just one state.”
Racing incidents are usually seen by the drivers involved in very different lights, and this certainly happened in Kyalami. While A1 Team Ireland’s Adam Carroll and A1 Team Malaysia’s Fairuz Fauzy clashed on the track in the Feature race, in the paddock it was their respective bosses who came to verbal blows! The first barrage came from Carroll’s boss, Mark Gallagher, when he said: “Frankly I’m disgusted. It’s taken us four seasons to get to this level of competitiveness. We’re pushing to win a championship and it’s not the only time that this driver has caused incidents, in fact he did the same thing to New Zealand later in the race.” Then came the reply from Jack Cunningham on behalf of Fauzy. In an A1 Team Malaysia release it was pointed out the stewards had taken no action after what the team very clearly saw as a racing incident, and Cunningham’s view was : “To blame Fairuz for the incident is unfair and we think the Irish team should stick to trying to win races rather than blaming others for their misfortune.” While Gallagher did also say A1 Team Malaysia was one of the very best in A1GP, and Cunningham that A1 Team Ireland is a highly respected team, it is obvious at the moment they are not going to be happy to have adjacent garages in Portugal.
FIBA World Junior Basketball Draw - New Zealand Day One Match + Updates
Interesting Pool For New Zealand At U19 World Champs In Auckland
The New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks have been pooled with Argentina, Croatia and Kazakhstan in group D for the FIBA U19 Championship for Men in Auckland from July 2-12 after the official draw on Monday.
The JTBs, who will be competing in the U19 world championship for the first time, open their tournament against Argentina at the North Shore Events Centre on Tuesday, June 2.
“We’ve played both Argentina and Croatia at the Albert Schweitzer tournament last year, so we’ve experienced how they play,” Junior Tall Blacks point guard Logan van Beek(Canterbury) said following the draw for the ninth U19 championship at SkyCity in Auckland.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve seen these teams before and we know what areas we have to improve to beat them. This is the first time the world championships have been in New Zealand and to play at home is going to be amazing.”
The USA, beaten finalists at the last U19 world championship in 2007, will be joined by France, Iran and Egypt in group B, while European power Spain will play Oceania champions Australia, Canada and Syria in group C, and Greece, Lithuania, Angola and Puerto Rico meet in group A.
The FIBA U19 Championship for Men, the third largest FIBA tournament and biggest for 2009, runs from July 2-12 at the North Shore Events Centre and ASB Stadium. The championship will be broadcast to 140 countries and an estimated audience of over 100 million.
Group A
Lithuania
Greece
Angola
Puerto Rico
Group B
France
Iran
USA
Egypt
Group C
Canada
Spain
Syria
Australia
Group D
Argentina
Croatia
New Zealand
Kazakhstan
The New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks have been pooled with Argentina, Croatia and Kazakhstan in group D for the FIBA U19 Championship for Men in Auckland from July 2-12 after the official draw on Monday.
The JTBs, who will be competing in the U19 world championship for the first time, open their tournament against Argentina at the North Shore Events Centre on Tuesday, June 2.
“We’ve played both Argentina and Croatia at the Albert Schweitzer tournament last year, so we’ve experienced how they play,” Junior Tall Blacks point guard Logan van Beek(Canterbury) said following the draw for the ninth U19 championship at SkyCity in Auckland.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve seen these teams before and we know what areas we have to improve to beat them. This is the first time the world championships have been in New Zealand and to play at home is going to be amazing.”
The USA, beaten finalists at the last U19 world championship in 2007, will be joined by France, Iran and Egypt in group B, while European power Spain will play Oceania champions Australia, Canada and Syria in group C, and Greece, Lithuania, Angola and Puerto Rico meet in group A.
The FIBA U19 Championship for Men, the third largest FIBA tournament and biggest for 2009, runs from July 2-12 at the North Shore Events Centre and ASB Stadium. The championship will be broadcast to 140 countries and an estimated audience of over 100 million.
Group A
Lithuania
Greece
Angola
Puerto Rico
Group B
France
Iran
USA
Egypt
Group C
Canada
Spain
Syria
Australia
Group D
Argentina
Croatia
New Zealand
Kazakhstan
PENGUINS AIM TO MAKE IT THIRD TIME LUCKY AT TENS
The world famous Penguins have been named top seeds for the 2009 GFI HKFC Tens as they aim to win the trophy for the first time in their illustrious history.
The elite UK-based touring team – properly called Penguin International RFC – have been finalists at the popular tournament for the past two years and are determined to leave with the silverware this time.
“This will be our third visit to the Tens and after twice finishing as runners-up we’ll be aiming to go one better this time,” said manager Craig Brown.
“The competition will, as always, be tough, but we’re looking forward to playing some strong, attacking rugby in the Penguins tradition and hopefully this will be our year.”
Joining the Penguins in Pool A will be Hill & Associates Trox AITCS Hong Kong Barbarians, comprising many of the overseas professionals who play in the Hong Kong First Division, German newcomers the Wild Titans and the Wanchai Wanderers from Wales.
The Penguins will be aiming to end New Zealand’s eight-year winning streak at the Tens and will face strong opposition with Kiwi teams seeded two and three.
Perennial contenders Aliens are seeded No.2 and will be looking to add to their four victories, the last of which came in 2005.
The Alternative Legends – sponsored by a group of 15 rugby fans from the hedge fund industry – are seeded No.3 and, like the Penguins, are aiming for a first victory.
Scatterlings of Africa are newcomers to the Tens and have been named fourth seeds. The strong South African team will be spearheaded by Rugby World Cup winner Bobby Skinstad and will include other players with Super 14 experience.
Scatterlings will be favourites to top Pool D but will face a strong challenge from the Borneo Eagles, who impressed on their two previous visits to the tournament. Also in the pool are Cardiff University and the hosts, Hong Kong Football Club.
The chances of a new name appearing on the Tens trophy are strong this year as only Aliens among the top four seeds have previously won the tournament.
New Zealand Metro, winners for the past three years, are absent this time after being unable to secure a sponsor.
“Naturally, we’d like to be there among old friends at the best ten-a-side tournament in the world,” said Metro manager Barry Gallagher.
“Our best wishes go to the organisers and the 16 teams competing and we hope to be back at the Tens in 2010.”
Since Fiji’s Magicians triumphed at the Tens in 2000, teams from New Zealand have won the past eight editions of the tournament.
The 2009 GFI HKFC Tens will be held at Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley from March 25-26.
Sixteen club and invitational teams from around the world will compete for four trophies – the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield.
The Tens was first held in 1986 to celebrate HKFC’s centenary and is now firmly established as a highlight of the Asian rugby calendar.
The tournament is once again title sponsored by global cash and derivatives broker GFI.
Meanwhile, tickets are going fast for the Tens Dinner, which will see Skinstad make an earlier visit to Hong Kong to be guest speaker.
The event, at Football Club on Saturday, March 7, will feature Australian TV sports anchor Toby Lawson as MC and will include a live interactive quiz and an auction of unique memorabilia.
The elite UK-based touring team – properly called Penguin International RFC – have been finalists at the popular tournament for the past two years and are determined to leave with the silverware this time.
“This will be our third visit to the Tens and after twice finishing as runners-up we’ll be aiming to go one better this time,” said manager Craig Brown.
“The competition will, as always, be tough, but we’re looking forward to playing some strong, attacking rugby in the Penguins tradition and hopefully this will be our year.”
Joining the Penguins in Pool A will be Hill & Associates Trox AITCS Hong Kong Barbarians, comprising many of the overseas professionals who play in the Hong Kong First Division, German newcomers the Wild Titans and the Wanchai Wanderers from Wales.
The Penguins will be aiming to end New Zealand’s eight-year winning streak at the Tens and will face strong opposition with Kiwi teams seeded two and three.
Perennial contenders Aliens are seeded No.2 and will be looking to add to their four victories, the last of which came in 2005.
The Alternative Legends – sponsored by a group of 15 rugby fans from the hedge fund industry – are seeded No.3 and, like the Penguins, are aiming for a first victory.
Scatterlings of Africa are newcomers to the Tens and have been named fourth seeds. The strong South African team will be spearheaded by Rugby World Cup winner Bobby Skinstad and will include other players with Super 14 experience.
Scatterlings will be favourites to top Pool D but will face a strong challenge from the Borneo Eagles, who impressed on their two previous visits to the tournament. Also in the pool are Cardiff University and the hosts, Hong Kong Football Club.
The chances of a new name appearing on the Tens trophy are strong this year as only Aliens among the top four seeds have previously won the tournament.
New Zealand Metro, winners for the past three years, are absent this time after being unable to secure a sponsor.
“Naturally, we’d like to be there among old friends at the best ten-a-side tournament in the world,” said Metro manager Barry Gallagher.
“Our best wishes go to the organisers and the 16 teams competing and we hope to be back at the Tens in 2010.”
Since Fiji’s Magicians triumphed at the Tens in 2000, teams from New Zealand have won the past eight editions of the tournament.
The 2009 GFI HKFC Tens will be held at Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley from March 25-26.
Sixteen club and invitational teams from around the world will compete for four trophies – the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Shield.
The Tens was first held in 1986 to celebrate HKFC’s centenary and is now firmly established as a highlight of the Asian rugby calendar.
The tournament is once again title sponsored by global cash and derivatives broker GFI.
Meanwhile, tickets are going fast for the Tens Dinner, which will see Skinstad make an earlier visit to Hong Kong to be guest speaker.
The event, at Football Club on Saturday, March 7, will feature Australian TV sports anchor Toby Lawson as MC and will include a live interactive quiz and an auction of unique memorabilia.
VALE BOB SULLIVAN
The North Sydney District Rugby League Football Club offer condolences to friends and family of the great Bob Sullivan, who passed away this morning.
Bob was an outstanding servant of the game of Rugby League and North Sydney.
He played 185 games for the Bears from 1948-59, 120 of them in first grade scoring 44 tries and 4 goals, and was captain coach of the 1959 reserve grade premiership winning team.
He represented both NSW and Australia, and was an active administrator for both the NSWRL and North Sydney for many years, culminating in a term as President of the NSDRLFC from 1987-89, and was a life member and patron of the club to this day.
Bob was an outstanding servant of the game of Rugby League and North Sydney.
He played 185 games for the Bears from 1948-59, 120 of them in first grade scoring 44 tries and 4 goals, and was captain coach of the 1959 reserve grade premiership winning team.
He represented both NSW and Australia, and was an active administrator for both the NSWRL and North Sydney for many years, culminating in a term as President of the NSDRLFC from 1987-89, and was a life member and patron of the club to this day.
WORLD CHAMPION WAKEBOARDERS GO HEAD TO HEAD FOR NATIONAL TITLE
Rivalry between two New Zealand world wakeboarding champions ratchets up a gear at this weekend’s New Zealand Wakeboarding Nationals at Lake Crichton, Christchurch.
Reigning champion Jeff Weatherall and up-and-comer Brad Smeele face-off from this Friday (March 6) as Jeff looks to defend his 2008 Open Men’s national title from Brad, who won the title in 2007.
With four world titles between them, these two riders are expected to lay down some exciting tricks that will no doubt impress both the judges and the crowd.
"The last time we faced off head to head, I beat Jeff for the first time ever! Now I know Jeff is hungry for a re-match”, Brad says.
Jeff took home the Pro Men’s title in 2003 and 2005, while Brad won the junior titles in 2004 and 2005.
With more than 60 competitor registrations expected, the Open Men’s showdown is not the only division to look out for. Reigning national champion and 2005 world champion Andrea Fountain goes into the Open Women’s event as favourite but is looking forward to some competition from new female faces such as Charlotte Mills.
“It’s going to be great to be back in the South Island and to see new girls giving it a go out on the water!”, Andrea says.
Thanks in part to recent Wakeboarding New Zealand coaching camps, the calibre of riders in the junior divisions is at an all time high. Riders such as 16-year-old Nik Gibson and 12-year-old Talor Walters will be setting the bar in the Junior Men’s and Junior Boys’ divisions, while 14-year-old Sophie Schollum will be looking to top off a great season with a win in the junior girls division.
Wakeboarding New Zealand, organisers of the event, are positive about the current New Zealand wakeboarding scene and believe the event will appeal to both competitors and spectators.
“There have been a number of new faces in the wakeboarding competition scene this summer and the level of riding has been incredible. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone come together for the premier event” says Darren Yearsley, President of Wakeboarding New Zealand.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to hold the Nationals at Lake Crichton, a record holding ski lake with calm waters and a great viewing platform for spectators, and we’d like to invite the public to come down on Friday and Saturday and check it out” he adds.
Held in the South Island for only the second time in its 11-year-history, the 2009 NZ Wakeboarding Nationals will offer locals a chance to witness New Zealand wakeboarding at its best.
Mastercraft is the official tow boat and major sponsor of the event with support of Liquid Force, Jet Pilot, Ronix, Hyperlite, CWB, X-box, Spy, Sofrana, Eco-decking, Tony’s Restaurant, Demon Energy and My Refund
Reigning champion Jeff Weatherall and up-and-comer Brad Smeele face-off from this Friday (March 6) as Jeff looks to defend his 2008 Open Men’s national title from Brad, who won the title in 2007.
With four world titles between them, these two riders are expected to lay down some exciting tricks that will no doubt impress both the judges and the crowd.
"The last time we faced off head to head, I beat Jeff for the first time ever! Now I know Jeff is hungry for a re-match”, Brad says.
Jeff took home the Pro Men’s title in 2003 and 2005, while Brad won the junior titles in 2004 and 2005.
With more than 60 competitor registrations expected, the Open Men’s showdown is not the only division to look out for. Reigning national champion and 2005 world champion Andrea Fountain goes into the Open Women’s event as favourite but is looking forward to some competition from new female faces such as Charlotte Mills.
“It’s going to be great to be back in the South Island and to see new girls giving it a go out on the water!”, Andrea says.
Thanks in part to recent Wakeboarding New Zealand coaching camps, the calibre of riders in the junior divisions is at an all time high. Riders such as 16-year-old Nik Gibson and 12-year-old Talor Walters will be setting the bar in the Junior Men’s and Junior Boys’ divisions, while 14-year-old Sophie Schollum will be looking to top off a great season with a win in the junior girls division.
Wakeboarding New Zealand, organisers of the event, are positive about the current New Zealand wakeboarding scene and believe the event will appeal to both competitors and spectators.
“There have been a number of new faces in the wakeboarding competition scene this summer and the level of riding has been incredible. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone come together for the premier event” says Darren Yearsley, President of Wakeboarding New Zealand.
“It’s great to have the opportunity to hold the Nationals at Lake Crichton, a record holding ski lake with calm waters and a great viewing platform for spectators, and we’d like to invite the public to come down on Friday and Saturday and check it out” he adds.
Held in the South Island for only the second time in its 11-year-history, the 2009 NZ Wakeboarding Nationals will offer locals a chance to witness New Zealand wakeboarding at its best.
Mastercraft is the official tow boat and major sponsor of the event with support of Liquid Force, Jet Pilot, Ronix, Hyperlite, CWB, X-box, Spy, Sofrana, Eco-decking, Tony’s Restaurant, Demon Energy and My Refund
Charlie Cordwell appointed Tennis Central CEO
The Board of Tennis Central are delighted to announce the appointment of Charlie Cordwell (above) as the inaugural CEO for Tennis Central.
Charlie has been extremely successful over the past year in his current role of Regional Development Manager and brings a wealth of passion and tennis experience to this new role. As CEO, Charlie will have responsibility for working with 95 tennis clubs and 7 Associations that make up the Tennis Central Region.
Charlie’s appointment to this role continues a long association with tennis in the region for the Cordwell family. He played 15 seasons in the Wellington Interclub competition, including 10 seasons in Men’s Regional 1, is a qualified coach and was a Wellington representative in 1994-5. Charlie’s sister, Belinda Cordwell was one of New Zealand’s most successful female professional players and has a court named after her at the Pelorus Trust Regional Peformance Centre which is part of the Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre complex.
Charlie has a strong background in sales, marketing and business management and is looking forward to the challenges this new role will bring. “I am delighted to be appointed to this role. To be asked to take charge of the administration and ongoing development of this game in the Central region is a tremendous honour, privilege and responsibility. I am really looking forward to the challenge.”
Charlie looks forward to building on his Regional Development Manager role and moving into the CEO position. “The last 14 months have been a big learning curve as the Regional Development team has moved to implement the strategic initiatives around game development throughout New Zealand. There is now a great platform to drive these initiatives forward.”
Tennis New Zealand CEO Steve Walker is also looking forward to Charlie taking up this senior position in the sport. “We look forward to Charlie joining the CEO group and look forward working with him to build on his positive experiences during his lifetime of tennis involvement, including his role as a Regional Development Manager, and support him moving into this leadership role.”
Tennis Central
Tennis Central is one of six Regional Centres responsible for running tennis throughout New Zealand, in conjunction with Tennis New Zealand. The Tennis Central region encompasses a large area and includes Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Kapi Mana, Manawatu, Wanganui and Taranaki. There are 95 clubs, 7 Associations and over 8,000 registered players in the region. Tennis Central is based at the Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre and employs 5 full-time staff.
Charlie has been extremely successful over the past year in his current role of Regional Development Manager and brings a wealth of passion and tennis experience to this new role. As CEO, Charlie will have responsibility for working with 95 tennis clubs and 7 Associations that make up the Tennis Central Region.
Charlie’s appointment to this role continues a long association with tennis in the region for the Cordwell family. He played 15 seasons in the Wellington Interclub competition, including 10 seasons in Men’s Regional 1, is a qualified coach and was a Wellington representative in 1994-5. Charlie’s sister, Belinda Cordwell was one of New Zealand’s most successful female professional players and has a court named after her at the Pelorus Trust Regional Peformance Centre which is part of the Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre complex.
Charlie has a strong background in sales, marketing and business management and is looking forward to the challenges this new role will bring. “I am delighted to be appointed to this role. To be asked to take charge of the administration and ongoing development of this game in the Central region is a tremendous honour, privilege and responsibility. I am really looking forward to the challenge.”
Charlie looks forward to building on his Regional Development Manager role and moving into the CEO position. “The last 14 months have been a big learning curve as the Regional Development team has moved to implement the strategic initiatives around game development throughout New Zealand. There is now a great platform to drive these initiatives forward.”
Tennis New Zealand CEO Steve Walker is also looking forward to Charlie taking up this senior position in the sport. “We look forward to Charlie joining the CEO group and look forward working with him to build on his positive experiences during his lifetime of tennis involvement, including his role as a Regional Development Manager, and support him moving into this leadership role.”
Tennis Central
Tennis Central is one of six Regional Centres responsible for running tennis throughout New Zealand, in conjunction with Tennis New Zealand. The Tennis Central region encompasses a large area and includes Wellington, Hutt Valley, Wairarapa, Kapi Mana, Manawatu, Wanganui and Taranaki. There are 95 clubs, 7 Associations and over 8,000 registered players in the region. Tennis Central is based at the Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre and employs 5 full-time staff.
Fundraiser for Death valley race- with Lisa Tamati, Shane Cameron, Monty Betham, Tony Kemp, Phil Kingsley Jones
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let everyone know I am going back to Death Valley to run again this year and to this end I am having another fundraising event which is going to a brilliant night.
Shane Cameron NZ's heavy weight boxing champ
Monty Betham - Our multitalented, rugby league, boxing and dancing star
Tony Kemp - rugby leage legend and local boy
Phil Kingsley Jones- MC, Comedian and sports manager of such stars as Jonah Lomu and currently my manager
Hemi Takurua on music.
Are all coming to the Plymouth Hotel (who have kindly sponsored the event) on the 26th march at 7pm for a night of entertainment, inspiration and laughs as well as a auction to raise funds for us (sponsored and put together by Bayleys Real Estate).
Please send this email to your databases and help me get the word out there. See attachment for details.
Tickets are just $35 available from my Shop Black Rock Designer Jewellery, 44 Liardet St, or Frontrunner shop in Devon St.
Any items for auction would also be greatly appreciated.
If you have time visit my new website designed by Jaron and his team at Fire Design.
cheers
Lisa
www.lisatamati.co.nz
Just wanted to let everyone know I am going back to Death Valley to run again this year and to this end I am having another fundraising event which is going to a brilliant night.
Shane Cameron NZ's heavy weight boxing champ
Monty Betham - Our multitalented, rugby league, boxing and dancing star
Tony Kemp - rugby leage legend and local boy
Phil Kingsley Jones- MC, Comedian and sports manager of such stars as Jonah Lomu and currently my manager
Hemi Takurua on music.
Are all coming to the Plymouth Hotel (who have kindly sponsored the event) on the 26th march at 7pm for a night of entertainment, inspiration and laughs as well as a auction to raise funds for us (sponsored and put together by Bayleys Real Estate).
Please send this email to your databases and help me get the word out there. See attachment for details.
Tickets are just $35 available from my Shop Black Rock Designer Jewellery, 44 Liardet St, or Frontrunner shop in Devon St.
Any items for auction would also be greatly appreciated.
If you have time visit my new website designed by Jaron and his team at Fire Design.
cheers
Lisa
www.lisatamati.co.nz
Black Sticks Women for 2009 India Tour
New Black Sticks Women’s Coach, Mark Hager has selected 18 players to travel to India in April for a four nation’s tournament. All 18 players come from the 31 trialists named last week.
Of note is the selection of five new caps, Stacey Brannigan, Ella Gunson and Katie Glynn of Auckland, Anita Punt of Wellington and Anna Thorpe of Northland. Thorpe becomes the latest in a very long line of Northland-bred Black Sticks Women’s players.
Beth Jurgeleit, Kate Saunders, Sheree Horvath, Emily Naylor, Stacey Carr, Kayla Sharland, Gemma Flynn and Krystal Forgesson, all Beijing Black Sticks, have been given the chance to reclaim their spots after a disappointing Olympic campaign.
Four players have made their way back into the team having missed the Olympic campaign – Clarissa Eshuis, Kate Mahon, Charlotte Harrison and Honor Dillon.
The women leave for India on April 22nd and compete against India, Canada and Azherbaijan from April 25th to May 2nd.
The Black Sticks Women for India are:
Anna Thorpe Northland
Charlotte Harrison Northland
Bianca Russell North Harbour
Stacey Brannigan Auckland
Katie Glynn Auckland
Ella Gunson Auckland
Krystal Forgesson Auckland
Honor Dillon Auckland
Gemma Flynn Midlands
Clarissa Eshuis Midlands
Kate Mahon Midlands
Emily Naylor Central
Sheree Horvath Central
Kayla Sharland Central
Anita Punt Wellington
Beth Jurgeleit Wellington
Stacey Carr Canterbury
Kate Saunders Canterbury
Of note is the selection of five new caps, Stacey Brannigan, Ella Gunson and Katie Glynn of Auckland, Anita Punt of Wellington and Anna Thorpe of Northland. Thorpe becomes the latest in a very long line of Northland-bred Black Sticks Women’s players.
Beth Jurgeleit, Kate Saunders, Sheree Horvath, Emily Naylor, Stacey Carr, Kayla Sharland, Gemma Flynn and Krystal Forgesson, all Beijing Black Sticks, have been given the chance to reclaim their spots after a disappointing Olympic campaign.
Four players have made their way back into the team having missed the Olympic campaign – Clarissa Eshuis, Kate Mahon, Charlotte Harrison and Honor Dillon.
The women leave for India on April 22nd and compete against India, Canada and Azherbaijan from April 25th to May 2nd.
The Black Sticks Women for India are:
Anna Thorpe Northland
Charlotte Harrison Northland
Bianca Russell North Harbour
Stacey Brannigan Auckland
Katie Glynn Auckland
Ella Gunson Auckland
Krystal Forgesson Auckland
Honor Dillon Auckland
Gemma Flynn Midlands
Clarissa Eshuis Midlands
Kate Mahon Midlands
Emily Naylor Central
Sheree Horvath Central
Kayla Sharland Central
Anita Punt Wellington
Beth Jurgeleit Wellington
Stacey Carr Canterbury
Kate Saunders Canterbury
Team RoadCraft wins New Zealand’s toughest mountain bike adventure race: the Skins Alpine Epic
Two of New Zealand’s elite cross-country mountain bike riders, Marcus Roy, of Invercargill, and Kashi Leuchs, of Dunedin, won the inaugural Skins Alpine Epic with a commanding performance in what has become New Zealand’s toughest adventure mountain bike race.
Played out over four days, five stages and 241km of backcountry between Mt Somers and Lake Tekapo, the South Canterbury event was dominated by Team RoadCraft’s Roy and Leuchs with the pair winning four out of the five stages in a time of 13:27.47.
Team RoadCraft finished 12 minutes 27 seconds ahead of their nearest rival, the Team Giant R&R Sport duo of Scott Wilder and Mark Williams. The final stage was won by Team Giant R&R Sport after a 74km-long battle with the riders of the third-placed Alpinexus team, Nic Smith and Neil Sutherland.
Sixty teams of two took on the challenge with riders from throughout New Zealand and international competitors from the UK, Czech Republic, Switzerland and America vying for the title.
In the end, Roy and Leuchs, both international cross-country mountain bike racing specialists, felt they adapted quickly to the longer and more gruelling race format of New Zealand’s first multi-day adventure mountain bike race.
“It feels great to win the inaugural event, but for me the highlight was the people who came along: the riders, the volunteers and the crew. We get to spend day after day with each other and get to know each other and it’s like a big family by the end,” three-time Olympian Leuchs said.
“I have a lot of new friends and have had an amazing experience from this event,” Leuchs added.
“I’ve never done team stage racing before,” Roy said.
“It’s quite a different dynamic and I wasn’t used to that. You couldn’t just sneak away from the other teams when you had a chance. You had to work as a team and it was a lot more obvious if you made a break. I found that challenge to be a lot of fun.”
“Camping out and meeting lots of different people was also a highlight for me,” he said.
With several high-country passes nearing 1500m in altitude the terrain was also a standout feature of this race, albeit mostly shrouded by alpine mist for all four days of the event.
“The isolation is the unique factor in this race. You had this feeling of remoteness with just a couple of sheep tracks as guidance and knowing full well that the only people to venture up here were the musterers and us,” Leuchs said.
“That, coupled with the misty, thick clouds made it quite spooky. You could race for an hour without seeing anyone and when you did see someone again you were pretty excited,” Leuchs said.
“The navigation side was exciting, too. We didn’t always know where to go next, so it was a challenge to make good decisions,” Roy said.
“We really wanted to win this race and we knew so many things could go wrong in a long race, so we didn’t want to risk anything. It’s a very tough race,” Leuchs said.
“You can’t bluff your way through a race like this – it’s four days and you have to be ready for each day,” Roy said.
“The riding was at times quite technical and tricky – it’s certainly not for beginners, but will appeal to those riders who want the ultimate challenge – just finishing it is a big accomplishiment,” Leuchs said.
The next event on the Team RoadCraft calendar is the 50km Motatapu Icebreaker starting at Glendhu Bay, Wanaka on March 14 and finishing in Arrowtown. This event will conclude the 2009 tour for Team RoadCraft.
Played out over four days, five stages and 241km of backcountry between Mt Somers and Lake Tekapo, the South Canterbury event was dominated by Team RoadCraft’s Roy and Leuchs with the pair winning four out of the five stages in a time of 13:27.47.
Team RoadCraft finished 12 minutes 27 seconds ahead of their nearest rival, the Team Giant R&R Sport duo of Scott Wilder and Mark Williams. The final stage was won by Team Giant R&R Sport after a 74km-long battle with the riders of the third-placed Alpinexus team, Nic Smith and Neil Sutherland.
Sixty teams of two took on the challenge with riders from throughout New Zealand and international competitors from the UK, Czech Republic, Switzerland and America vying for the title.
In the end, Roy and Leuchs, both international cross-country mountain bike racing specialists, felt they adapted quickly to the longer and more gruelling race format of New Zealand’s first multi-day adventure mountain bike race.
“It feels great to win the inaugural event, but for me the highlight was the people who came along: the riders, the volunteers and the crew. We get to spend day after day with each other and get to know each other and it’s like a big family by the end,” three-time Olympian Leuchs said.
“I have a lot of new friends and have had an amazing experience from this event,” Leuchs added.
“I’ve never done team stage racing before,” Roy said.
“It’s quite a different dynamic and I wasn’t used to that. You couldn’t just sneak away from the other teams when you had a chance. You had to work as a team and it was a lot more obvious if you made a break. I found that challenge to be a lot of fun.”
“Camping out and meeting lots of different people was also a highlight for me,” he said.
With several high-country passes nearing 1500m in altitude the terrain was also a standout feature of this race, albeit mostly shrouded by alpine mist for all four days of the event.
“The isolation is the unique factor in this race. You had this feeling of remoteness with just a couple of sheep tracks as guidance and knowing full well that the only people to venture up here were the musterers and us,” Leuchs said.
“That, coupled with the misty, thick clouds made it quite spooky. You could race for an hour without seeing anyone and when you did see someone again you were pretty excited,” Leuchs said.
“The navigation side was exciting, too. We didn’t always know where to go next, so it was a challenge to make good decisions,” Roy said.
“We really wanted to win this race and we knew so many things could go wrong in a long race, so we didn’t want to risk anything. It’s a very tough race,” Leuchs said.
“You can’t bluff your way through a race like this – it’s four days and you have to be ready for each day,” Roy said.
“The riding was at times quite technical and tricky – it’s certainly not for beginners, but will appeal to those riders who want the ultimate challenge – just finishing it is a big accomplishiment,” Leuchs said.
The next event on the Team RoadCraft calendar is the 50km Motatapu Icebreaker starting at Glendhu Bay, Wanaka on March 14 and finishing in Arrowtown. This event will conclude the 2009 tour for Team RoadCraft.
O'Conner and Lyndon win North Shore City Beach Tennis Bash
Aotearoa Maori mixed doubles champions Tracey O'Conner and Eru Lyndon (above) added to their already impressive resumes today, by winning the first North Shore City Beach Tennis Bash in fine style.
They defeated NZ number one and Davis Cup player Rubin Statham, and his partner Tracy Hall in the final, which was watched by hundreds of people on Takapuna Beach.
O'Conner and Lyndon won a four day getaway to New Caledonia, flying Air Cailan.
The inaugural Beach Tennis Bash was a great success, attracting some of New Zealand top hard court players to the fray. The finalists won their way past players of the calibre of Shona Lee, Oliver Statham, Dan and Michaela Davies – among others.
Mission Bay Tennis Club owned the consolation finals, with their mixed doubles teams on both sides of the net!
In the end, Paula Stubbing and Howard Lewis edged out Kerri Maynell and Russell Smiler.
The Beach Tennis Bash is part of the North Shore City International Festival of Tennis, whch continues tomorrowwith the final New Zealand Money Tournament for this season, then the Davis Cup tie NZ vs Malaysia 6-8 March, followed next week by the ITF Futures event, the ASB Pro Circuit - all at the Albany Tennis Park.
WHITE FERNS DEPART FOR THE ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
White Ferns coach Gary Stead says his side leaves Christchurch tomorrow knowing they have a pretty good chance of winning THE 2009 ICC WOMEN'S WORLD CUP.
The White Ferns will arrive in Sydney late tomorrow afternoon local time to put the finishing touches to their World cup preparation.
Warm up matches against Pakistan at Manly Oval, Tuesday and India at Old Kings, Parramatta on Wednesday, will give all players their last opportunities to stake a claim in the playing Eleven for the World Cup Opener against defending World Champions, Australia this Sunday March 8th.
Gary Stead is looking forward to his first World Cup in charge of The White Ferns who he says have worked extremely hard in the lead up.
The former BLACKCAP, says in a tournament situation like this, the pressure is on for The White Ferns to play consistently well throughout the two week World Cup format.
Stead is buoyed by The White Ferns having no injury concerns and says all players are very fit.
The White Ferns depart Christchurch International Airport on flight NZ 83 March 2nd. 3-45pm.
The White Ferns will arrive in Sydney late tomorrow afternoon local time to put the finishing touches to their World cup preparation.
Warm up matches against Pakistan at Manly Oval, Tuesday and India at Old Kings, Parramatta on Wednesday, will give all players their last opportunities to stake a claim in the playing Eleven for the World Cup Opener against defending World Champions, Australia this Sunday March 8th.
Gary Stead is looking forward to his first World Cup in charge of The White Ferns who he says have worked extremely hard in the lead up.
The former BLACKCAP, says in a tournament situation like this, the pressure is on for The White Ferns to play consistently well throughout the two week World Cup format.
Stead is buoyed by The White Ferns having no injury concerns and says all players are very fit.
The White Ferns depart Christchurch International Airport on flight NZ 83 March 2nd. 3-45pm.
Indian test players to warm up in State Championship
New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that six Indian test players will play for domestic teams in the next two rounds of the State Championship.
The inclusion of the players has been agreed by NZC, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and the six Major Associations, to provide game time for the incoming players prior to the National Bank Series test matches starting on 18 March.
Rahul Dravid will play for the State Canterbury Wizards against the State Central Stags in the match at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora, from 6 to 9 March. Legbreak bowler Amit Mishrah will play for the Stags in the same game.
VVS Laxman will appear for the State Otago Volts against the State Wellington Firebirds at University Oval, Dunedin, in the same round. Right-arm medium fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji will play for the Firebirds in that game.
In the following round, from 13 to 16 March, the game between the Stags and Firebirds at McLean Park, Napier will feature opening batsman M. Vijay and right-arm medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni. It is not yet finalised which sides they will play in.
The Indian players are able to play for the Otago, Central Districts and Wellington sides as overseas players, as those teams will not have other overseas players participating in the upcoming rounds of the State Championship.
Canterbury has two qualifying players (NZ-based payers who have not yet qualified to play for the BLACKCAPS) which is the maximum number of non-eligible players allowed on the field; but as Kruger van Wyk will shortly be eligible to qualify as a New Zealand player, NZC, NZCPA and the Major Associations have agreed to Dravid joining the side.
No Indian players will appear for the State Auckland Aces or State Northern Knights. This avoids any potential issues over the involvement of ICL players in the games. The Aces and Knights sides also already have an overseas player in their teams.
Canterbury’s ICL-contracted players, Chris Harris and Shane Bond, were only contracted by Canterbury to play State Shield and T20 matches and therefore not considered for the State Championship.
NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said he was pleased that the NZCPA and Major Associations had been able to work constructively with NZC to meet the Indian requirement for game time for the players.
“There have been a number of issues to work through, including the involvement of ICL players, NZC’s rules around overseas and qualifying players, player allocation, scheduling and travel arrangements,” said Vaughan.
“This is an excellent solution that means we’re able to offer the incoming Indian players appropriate preparation in first-class conditions – and at the same time give our domestic sides an incredible opportunity to play alongside some of the great names in international test cricket.
“For some of our young players especially, the chance to spend four days on the park and in the dressing room with players of the calibre of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid is priceless.”
India’s coach Gary Kirsten said the team was thankful that NZC had accommodated the players so they could get some match practice. “Because of the tight schedule and no warm up match it would have been difficult for those players straight off the plane – I think it sets a good example,” said Kirsten.
NZCPA Executive Manager Heath Mills said meeting the Indian team requirement for these players to get match play in New Zealand is important. “New Zealand Cricket and the Major Associations have done well to achieve that through the use of six players in the State Championship,” he said.
“Each Major Association is allowed one overseas player under our contracting environment which is something we have always supported and encouraged so this outcome fits nicely with that.”
The inclusion of the players has been agreed by NZC, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and the six Major Associations, to provide game time for the incoming players prior to the National Bank Series test matches starting on 18 March.
Rahul Dravid will play for the State Canterbury Wizards against the State Central Stags in the match at Mainpower Oval, Rangiora, from 6 to 9 March. Legbreak bowler Amit Mishrah will play for the Stags in the same game.
VVS Laxman will appear for the State Otago Volts against the State Wellington Firebirds at University Oval, Dunedin, in the same round. Right-arm medium fast bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji will play for the Firebirds in that game.
In the following round, from 13 to 16 March, the game between the Stags and Firebirds at McLean Park, Napier will feature opening batsman M. Vijay and right-arm medium pacer Dhawal Kulkarni. It is not yet finalised which sides they will play in.
The Indian players are able to play for the Otago, Central Districts and Wellington sides as overseas players, as those teams will not have other overseas players participating in the upcoming rounds of the State Championship.
Canterbury has two qualifying players (NZ-based payers who have not yet qualified to play for the BLACKCAPS) which is the maximum number of non-eligible players allowed on the field; but as Kruger van Wyk will shortly be eligible to qualify as a New Zealand player, NZC, NZCPA and the Major Associations have agreed to Dravid joining the side.
No Indian players will appear for the State Auckland Aces or State Northern Knights. This avoids any potential issues over the involvement of ICL players in the games. The Aces and Knights sides also already have an overseas player in their teams.
Canterbury’s ICL-contracted players, Chris Harris and Shane Bond, were only contracted by Canterbury to play State Shield and T20 matches and therefore not considered for the State Championship.
NZC Chief Executive Justin Vaughan said he was pleased that the NZCPA and Major Associations had been able to work constructively with NZC to meet the Indian requirement for game time for the players.
“There have been a number of issues to work through, including the involvement of ICL players, NZC’s rules around overseas and qualifying players, player allocation, scheduling and travel arrangements,” said Vaughan.
“This is an excellent solution that means we’re able to offer the incoming Indian players appropriate preparation in first-class conditions – and at the same time give our domestic sides an incredible opportunity to play alongside some of the great names in international test cricket.
“For some of our young players especially, the chance to spend four days on the park and in the dressing room with players of the calibre of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid is priceless.”
India’s coach Gary Kirsten said the team was thankful that NZC had accommodated the players so they could get some match practice. “Because of the tight schedule and no warm up match it would have been difficult for those players straight off the plane – I think it sets a good example,” said Kirsten.
NZCPA Executive Manager Heath Mills said meeting the Indian team requirement for these players to get match play in New Zealand is important. “New Zealand Cricket and the Major Associations have done well to achieve that through the use of six players in the State Championship,” he said.
“Each Major Association is allowed one overseas player under our contracting environment which is something we have always supported and encouraged so this outcome fits nicely with that.”
Sydney Origin tickets on sale this week
Rugby League fans have never had a better opportunity to attend the greatest interstate rivalry in Australian sport with the NSW Rugby League to this week release 5000 Category 3 tickets for just $30 for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney.
Tickets for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney will go on sale to Ticketed Members from 9am on Tuesday, March 3.
Nrl.com Members will be able to purchase tickets from 6pm on Wednesday, March 4.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
The following ticket purchase windows apply for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series, to be played at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, June 24.
Ticketed Members: 9am Tuesday, March 2 – 5pm Wednesday, March 3.
Nrl.com Members: 6pm Wednesday, March 5 – 7am Thursday, March 6.
General Public: Tickets will be on sale from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets for Game 1 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (formerly called Telstra Dome) are already on sale through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Harvey Norman State of Origin Series Ticket Prices
Game 1, Wednesday, June 3, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Price Category
Adult
Concession
Family
1
$120.00
$95.00
$335.00
2
$85.00
$60.00
$220.00
3
$40.00
$30.00
$110.00
Game 2, Wednesday, June 24, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Tickets go on sale for Ticketed Members from 9am on Tuesday, March 3, for nrl.com members from 6pm Wednesday, March 4, and for the general public from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
Price Category
Adult
Concession
Family
1
$135.00
$110.00
$400.00
2
$95.00
$75.00
$280.00
3
$50.00
$40.00
$150.00
· Concessions are available to full pensioners (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) and juniors aged 4 –15 years inclusive. Children 3 and under are free if sitting on a parents knee.
· Family passes consist of 2 adults and 2 juniors or 1 adult and 3 juniors only.
· These prices are inclusive of GST and booking fee.
Ticketed Member Information
· Ticketed Members will be sent a password to purchase online during the priority buying window if they have ‘opted in’ for this sales channel. Please note, if purchasing over the web, Ticketed Members can only purchase two tickets.
· Ticketed Members will need to present their season ticket in order to purchase a Harvey Norman State of Origin ticket. Family pass holders should ensure they are assigned four separate numbers on their cards.
· Sales will be permitted by telephone if paid for by credit card, but Ticketed Members must quote their member number. The credit card holder along with the season ticket will need to be produced to collect the ticket at a selection of outlets (listed below).
· Each Ticketed Member is entitled to purchase two (2) Harvey Norman State of Origin tickets.
· Ticketed Members will be limited to eight (8) tickets per transaction (must have 4 Ticketed Member passes). Ticketed Members with more than four passes will not be allocated additional tickets.
· Ticketed Members who perform multiple transactions will be contacted and may have their tickets cancelled.
Tickets for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series in Sydney will go on sale to Ticketed Members from 9am on Tuesday, March 3.
Nrl.com Members will be able to purchase tickets from 6pm on Wednesday, March 4.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
The following ticket purchase windows apply for Game 2 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series, to be played at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, June 24.
Ticketed Members: 9am Tuesday, March 2 – 5pm Wednesday, March 3.
Nrl.com Members: 6pm Wednesday, March 5 – 7am Thursday, March 6.
General Public: Tickets will be on sale from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets for Game 1 of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium (formerly called Telstra Dome) are already on sale through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Harvey Norman State of Origin Series Ticket Prices
Game 1, Wednesday, June 3, Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster on 136 100, at Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com.au.
Price Category
Adult
Concession
Family
1
$120.00
$95.00
$335.00
2
$85.00
$60.00
$220.00
3
$40.00
$30.00
$110.00
Game 2, Wednesday, June 24, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Tickets go on sale for Ticketed Members from 9am on Tuesday, March 3, for nrl.com members from 6pm Wednesday, March 4, and for the general public from 9am Thursday, March 5.
Tickets are available through Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au.
Price Category
Adult
Concession
Family
1
$135.00
$110.00
$400.00
2
$95.00
$75.00
$280.00
3
$50.00
$40.00
$150.00
· Concessions are available to full pensioners (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) and juniors aged 4 –15 years inclusive. Children 3 and under are free if sitting on a parents knee.
· Family passes consist of 2 adults and 2 juniors or 1 adult and 3 juniors only.
· These prices are inclusive of GST and booking fee.
Ticketed Member Information
· Ticketed Members will be sent a password to purchase online during the priority buying window if they have ‘opted in’ for this sales channel. Please note, if purchasing over the web, Ticketed Members can only purchase two tickets.
· Ticketed Members will need to present their season ticket in order to purchase a Harvey Norman State of Origin ticket. Family pass holders should ensure they are assigned four separate numbers on their cards.
· Sales will be permitted by telephone if paid for by credit card, but Ticketed Members must quote their member number. The credit card holder along with the season ticket will need to be produced to collect the ticket at a selection of outlets (listed below).
· Each Ticketed Member is entitled to purchase two (2) Harvey Norman State of Origin tickets.
· Ticketed Members will be limited to eight (8) tickets per transaction (must have 4 Ticketed Member passes). Ticketed Members with more than four passes will not be allocated additional tickets.
· Ticketed Members who perform multiple transactions will be contacted and may have their tickets cancelled.
EXCEPTIONAL TRIAL WIN FOR VODAFONE WARRIORS AGAINST TITANS
The Vodafone Warriors produced one of the best trial performances in their history with an impressive seven-tries-to-two 34-12 victory over Gold Coast at Oakes Oval tonight.
The victory completed a clean-sweep of wins in their three build-up matches ahead of the 2009 NRL season.
It followed a 24-12 triumph against Melbourne in Hamilton and a 32-28 win over North Queensland at North Harbour Stadium last Sunday.
The Vodafone Warriors were in exceptional mood in the first 52 minutes of tonight’s contest, leading 30-0 after a six-try surge.
Only then – and as the Vodafone Warriors made numerous interchanges – were the Titans able to make an impression with two tries to come back to 12-30.
But the Vodafone Warriors finished the match as they began it, getting the ball wide to their right side for new winger Denan Kemp to use his scorching speed to score his second try of the night.
Fullback Wade McKinnon also relished numerous opportunities with the ball with a double of his own, one try in each half.
Centre Brent Tate started the onslaught as early as the ninth minute when he stepped through the defence from close range as the Vodafone Warriors probed Gold Coast’s short side.
And there were also second half tries for World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Sam Rapira as well as former Bronco Joel Moon on a night when the overall effort oozed precision and quality.
While the margin of the win and the style of it was satisfying for the coach staff, one feature of the display was positively stunning. That was the Vodafone Warriors’ kicking game and especially the long kicking which produced an amazing four 40/20 kicks, two each to halfback Nathan Fien and standoff Moon. Three of those led directly to tries.
Executing 40/20 kicks has been a challenge for the Vodafone Warriors historically with just two successful efforts in the whole of their 2008 campaign and very few in previous seasons. The combination of a right-foot kicker in Fien and a left footer in Moon worked to perfection tonight.
Veteran halfback Stacey Jones was a late withdrawal from the match, sidelined as a precaution with a slight calf muscle injury.
The Vodafone Warriors now eye their season-opening first-round clash at home against Parramatta on March 14 knowing they have rounded off the most successful trials programme since the club entered the competition in 1995.
Match details:
At Oakes Oval, Lismore
Vodafone Warriors 34 (Denan Kemp 2, Wade McKinnon 2, Brent Tate, Sam Rapira, Joel Moon tries; Denan Kemp 2 conversions; Joel Moon conversion).
Gold Coast Titans 12 (Brad David, Shannon Walker tries; Chris Walker 2 conversions).
Halftime: 14-0 Vodafone Warriors.
Referees: Jared Maxwell and Adam Devcich.
Crowd: 5117.
The victory completed a clean-sweep of wins in their three build-up matches ahead of the 2009 NRL season.
It followed a 24-12 triumph against Melbourne in Hamilton and a 32-28 win over North Queensland at North Harbour Stadium last Sunday.
The Vodafone Warriors were in exceptional mood in the first 52 minutes of tonight’s contest, leading 30-0 after a six-try surge.
Only then – and as the Vodafone Warriors made numerous interchanges – were the Titans able to make an impression with two tries to come back to 12-30.
But the Vodafone Warriors finished the match as they began it, getting the ball wide to their right side for new winger Denan Kemp to use his scorching speed to score his second try of the night.
Fullback Wade McKinnon also relished numerous opportunities with the ball with a double of his own, one try in each half.
Centre Brent Tate started the onslaught as early as the ninth minute when he stepped through the defence from close range as the Vodafone Warriors probed Gold Coast’s short side.
And there were also second half tries for World Cup-winning Kiwi prop Sam Rapira as well as former Bronco Joel Moon on a night when the overall effort oozed precision and quality.
While the margin of the win and the style of it was satisfying for the coach staff, one feature of the display was positively stunning. That was the Vodafone Warriors’ kicking game and especially the long kicking which produced an amazing four 40/20 kicks, two each to halfback Nathan Fien and standoff Moon. Three of those led directly to tries.
Executing 40/20 kicks has been a challenge for the Vodafone Warriors historically with just two successful efforts in the whole of their 2008 campaign and very few in previous seasons. The combination of a right-foot kicker in Fien and a left footer in Moon worked to perfection tonight.
Veteran halfback Stacey Jones was a late withdrawal from the match, sidelined as a precaution with a slight calf muscle injury.
The Vodafone Warriors now eye their season-opening first-round clash at home against Parramatta on March 14 knowing they have rounded off the most successful trials programme since the club entered the competition in 1995.
Match details:
At Oakes Oval, Lismore
Vodafone Warriors 34 (Denan Kemp 2, Wade McKinnon 2, Brent Tate, Sam Rapira, Joel Moon tries; Denan Kemp 2 conversions; Joel Moon conversion).
Gold Coast Titans 12 (Brad David, Shannon Walker tries; Chris Walker 2 conversions).
Halftime: 14-0 Vodafone Warriors.
Referees: Jared Maxwell and Adam Devcich.
Crowd: 5117.
VODAFONE JUNIOR WARRIORS UNABLE TO HOLD ON IN LISMORE HEAT
Searing heat and a stunning Gold Coast comeback today ensured the Vodafone Junior Warriors had to be content with a 34-34 draw with Gold Coast in their only all-NYC trial ahead of their 2009 campaign.
After leading 22-6 at halftime – fullback Kevin Locke with two of his side’s four tries – the Vodafone Junior Warriors extended their advantage to 28-6 when winger Bill Tupou hauled in a cross-field bomb to score just minutes into the second half.
But then the heat came on literally.
With the temperature in the mid-30s (the match kicked off at 3.50pm), the visitors began to falter. At the same time, coach Tony Iro interchanged several of his key players including prop Leeson Ah Mau, standoff Elijah Taylor and Locke. The two factors conspired against the Vodafone Junior Warriors and certainly worked in the Titans’ favour.
In the space of five minutes they scored three tries to trail 22-26 and then in the final quarter two more tries completed an astonishing comeback to give Gold Coast a 34-28 lead with just five minutes left to play.
But despite bleeding 28 unanswered points, the Vodafone Junior Warriors were able to recover their composure to make the final statement of the contest, second rower Sione Lousi using footwork, skill and strength to score between the posts. Halfback Shaun Johnson’s conversion enabled his side to come out of the match with a draw and the knowledge there will need to be plenty of improvement ahead of the season-opening NYC clash against Parramatta at Mount Smart Stadium on March 14.
Match details:
At Oakes Oval, Lismore
Vodafone Junior Warriors 34 (Kevin Locke 2. Jody Henry, Thomas Ah Van, Bill Tupou, Sione Lousi tries; Shaun Johnson 5 conversions).
Gold Coast Titans 34 (Jy Hitchcock 2, Siosaia Vave, Tim James, Jordan Rankin Fred Tila tries; Jordan Rankin 5 conversions).
Halftime: 22-6 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
After leading 22-6 at halftime – fullback Kevin Locke with two of his side’s four tries – the Vodafone Junior Warriors extended their advantage to 28-6 when winger Bill Tupou hauled in a cross-field bomb to score just minutes into the second half.
But then the heat came on literally.
With the temperature in the mid-30s (the match kicked off at 3.50pm), the visitors began to falter. At the same time, coach Tony Iro interchanged several of his key players including prop Leeson Ah Mau, standoff Elijah Taylor and Locke. The two factors conspired against the Vodafone Junior Warriors and certainly worked in the Titans’ favour.
In the space of five minutes they scored three tries to trail 22-26 and then in the final quarter two more tries completed an astonishing comeback to give Gold Coast a 34-28 lead with just five minutes left to play.
But despite bleeding 28 unanswered points, the Vodafone Junior Warriors were able to recover their composure to make the final statement of the contest, second rower Sione Lousi using footwork, skill and strength to score between the posts. Halfback Shaun Johnson’s conversion enabled his side to come out of the match with a draw and the knowledge there will need to be plenty of improvement ahead of the season-opening NYC clash against Parramatta at Mount Smart Stadium on March 14.
Match details:
At Oakes Oval, Lismore
Vodafone Junior Warriors 34 (Kevin Locke 2. Jody Henry, Thomas Ah Van, Bill Tupou, Sione Lousi tries; Shaun Johnson 5 conversions).
Gold Coast Titans 34 (Jy Hitchcock 2, Siosaia Vave, Tim James, Jordan Rankin Fred Tila tries; Jordan Rankin 5 conversions).
Halftime: 22-6 Vodafone Junior Warriors.
VODAFONE WARRIORS TO TAKE ON GOLD COAST WITHOUT JONES
Veteran halfback Stacey Jones will miss the Vodafone Warriors’ third and final NRL trial when they face Gold Coast in Lismore tonight.
The 32-year-old had 40-minute stints in each of the first two build-up matches against Melbourne and North Queensland and he was due to share the halfback’s duties with World Cup-winning Kiwi No 7 Nathan Fien against the Titans.
However, a calf muscle niggle has ruled him out, Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary declaring there was no point risking him at this stage of the year.
It means Fien is now likely to share the halfback’s role with new signing Aaron Heremaia, an Auckland Vulcans regular last year.
Coming off the bench tonight will be ex-Cowboys back rower Jacib Lillyman in his first appearance for his new club. He is now fully recovered after having off-season shoulder surgery.
The 32-year-old had 40-minute stints in each of the first two build-up matches against Melbourne and North Queensland and he was due to share the halfback’s duties with World Cup-winning Kiwi No 7 Nathan Fien against the Titans.
However, a calf muscle niggle has ruled him out, Vodafone Warriors coach Ivan Cleary declaring there was no point risking him at this stage of the year.
It means Fien is now likely to share the halfback’s role with new signing Aaron Heremaia, an Auckland Vulcans regular last year.
Coming off the bench tonight will be ex-Cowboys back rower Jacib Lillyman in his first appearance for his new club. He is now fully recovered after having off-season shoulder surgery.
Student Cricketers Learn From The Pros
Salford University students received exclusive hands-on coaching from the Lancashire County Cricket Club players on Thursday 26 February to help celebrate the University’s 12-month sponsorship of the Indoor Cricket Centre at Old Trafford.
The budding cricketers took tips from the first team squad – including vice-captain Luke Sutton, Gary Keedy, Oliver Newby and Kyle Hogg – as part of the University’s higher education partnership with the Club.
After watching the professionals’ regular training session, the student team were treated to a masterclass on bowling and batting techniques.
University cricket club captain, Tom Hughes, said: “It was a real privilege to be given access to some of the best cricketers in the country. We learnt some valuable lessons from the players that we’ll be able to put to good use in our future matches.
“It’s not often that you get such a close-up view of the professionals in action - it was a real eye-opener.”
The professional coaching session was part of a series of partnership activities over the last two years, which have seen the Lancashire team benefit from the University’s high-tech fitness testing, post-injury rehabilitation, and expert exercise and health advice.
Lancashire vice-captain Luke Sutton said: “The club’s relationship with Salford University is more than a sponsorship, it’s a partnership, and it’s fantastic that they are using their association with Lancashire to provide opportunities like this for their students.
“The Lancashire squad have reaped the benefits of using Salford University’s fitness testing facilities over the past two seasons, and hopefully the role of teacher can be reversed through days like this. It’s always a good feeling to pass on your knowledge to others, and everyone seemed to have a great time.”
Oaks Claimed By Godolphin’s Devotee
To watch race replays: http://www.dubairacingclub.com/?cat=35
Dubai World Cup night clues aplenty were on offer at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday at the ninth meeting of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Sponsored by Meydan City, the night’s feature was the Listed Oaks, a dirt race for three-year-old fillies and won by Godolphin’s Devotee who was able to bounce back after a disappointing run in the UAE 1000 Guineas when found to have an irregular heartbeat.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, she was completing a memorable double for the Godolphin team who had also won the inaugural running of the Dubai Racing Club Gold Cup, a 3200m turf conditions race, with the high-class Veracity.
Sent for home over 800m out by the Italian jockey, he ran on dourly to win the marathon.
Dettori said: “It has been a good night and Veracity is a tough horse who we know stays well. He has been tried in the highest company at times and deserved to get his head in front.
“Devotee was obviously a disappointment last time but we knew she was a good filly and her work has been good. She was brave when the other filly came to her and run on strongly.”
Archipenko will be heading for the Dubai Duty Free, in which he was third last year, after his win in the Group 3 Zabeel Mile, a 1600m turf contest.
He was completing a double for trainer Mike De Kock and jockey Kevin Shea who had earlier won the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, over 1200m on turf, with JJ The Jet Plane.
Both horses were burdened with Group 1 penalties and Shea was pleased: “JJ The Jet Plane is very quick and I was never worried on him tonight. He has done that in style. Archipenko’s class prevailed as he will have needed the run with the Duty Free still four weeks away.”
Racing opened with the 1200m turf conditions Meydan Business Park Trophy, which was won by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Beaver Patrol under Mick Kinane, while the following 1600m turf race, Signature Mall Trophy went to Furnace for Mubarak Bin Shafya and apprentice Antioco Murgia.
Gloria De Campeao finally opened his own and trainer Pascal Bary’s UAE account in the 1800m dirt handicap, the Meydan Hotel Trophy, and would be a possible for the Godolphin Mile, while the Dubai Sheema Classic could be a target for Luca Cumani’s Presvis who won the concluding 2000m turf Meydan Gateway Towers Trophy under Ryan Moore.
Dubai World Cup night clues aplenty were on offer at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday at the ninth meeting of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Sponsored by Meydan City, the night’s feature was the Listed Oaks, a dirt race for three-year-old fillies and won by Godolphin’s Devotee who was able to bounce back after a disappointing run in the UAE 1000 Guineas when found to have an irregular heartbeat.
Ridden by Frankie Dettori, she was completing a memorable double for the Godolphin team who had also won the inaugural running of the Dubai Racing Club Gold Cup, a 3200m turf conditions race, with the high-class Veracity.
Sent for home over 800m out by the Italian jockey, he ran on dourly to win the marathon.
Dettori said: “It has been a good night and Veracity is a tough horse who we know stays well. He has been tried in the highest company at times and deserved to get his head in front.
“Devotee was obviously a disappointment last time but we knew she was a good filly and her work has been good. She was brave when the other filly came to her and run on strongly.”
Archipenko will be heading for the Dubai Duty Free, in which he was third last year, after his win in the Group 3 Zabeel Mile, a 1600m turf contest.
He was completing a double for trainer Mike De Kock and jockey Kevin Shea who had earlier won the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, over 1200m on turf, with JJ The Jet Plane.
Both horses were burdened with Group 1 penalties and Shea was pleased: “JJ The Jet Plane is very quick and I was never worried on him tonight. He has done that in style. Archipenko’s class prevailed as he will have needed the run with the Duty Free still four weeks away.”
Racing opened with the 1200m turf conditions Meydan Business Park Trophy, which was won by Eve Johnson Houghton’s Beaver Patrol under Mick Kinane, while the following 1600m turf race, Signature Mall Trophy went to Furnace for Mubarak Bin Shafya and apprentice Antioco Murgia.
Gloria De Campeao finally opened his own and trainer Pascal Bary’s UAE account in the 1800m dirt handicap, the Meydan Hotel Trophy, and would be a possible for the Godolphin Mile, while the Dubai Sheema Classic could be a target for Luca Cumani’s Presvis who won the concluding 2000m turf Meydan Gateway Towers Trophy under Ryan Moore.
New Territory For Cricket History
A Cricket World First as Falkland Cricket Club Tours the Falkland Islands
Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) from Newbury, Berkshire, will today travel over 7,000 miles to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic to play its international namesake, the Falkland Islands Cricket Association (FICA). Included in the three-match tour of the Falklands will be a thrilling return-leg on 5 March, during which FICA will hope to avenge their 22-run defeat to FCC in July 2007, during FICA’s seven-game tour of England. FCC will be the first sporting team in history to visit the Falkland Islands with the purpose of playing sport, although teams from visiting naval and cruise ships have played in the Islands.
The visiting Falkland CC team will commence their three-match tour by playing Stanley, a team from the Islands’ capital, on 1 March. Their next match (3 March) will be against Mount Pleasant, a team representing the military personnel serving in the Islands. Finally they will face the FICA, a combined team of civilians and military players, on 5 March. The team will then tour Chile, where they have arranged to play a further three matches.
The FCC tour coincides with the week-long ‘Spirit of Cricket’ festival being held in the Falkland Islands to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Falkland Islands Cricket Association was awarded Affiliate membership of the ICC in 2007. During the festival week there will be six matches, including two juniors’ games, and also social events for the players and their families. The festival will end on 7 March with the closing match of the annual South Atlantic Ashes series between the Governor’s XI and the Commander of the British Forces’ XI.
Another cricket first will take place in July 2010, when FICA will send a team to Scotland to compete in a tournament with Falkland CC, Newbury, and Falkland CC, Fife, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Falkland CC, Fife. This will be the first time the three ‘Falkland’ teams will meet; whatever the outcome, it will make for an interesting ‘sporting triangle’.
The Falkland Islands are a UK Overseas Territory and as such have a love of all things British, including cricket. Laying claim to the southernmost cricket ground in the world, cricket in the Islands is going from strength to strength. The population of around 3,000 boasts four teams, which may be the largest ratio of players per head of population of any country. In April, the Junior Team will embark on a four-match, week-long tour of Chile. Developing closer links with the Chilean Cricket Association is a key part of the strategy for developing the junior game in the Falklands which should lead to a much stronger adult game.
Looking to the future of cricket in the Falklands, planning permission has been granted for the development of a new cricket pitch in Stanley on part of the Golf Club site. The long term aim is to build a joint clubhouse with indoor facilities. The formation of a women’s team is also being actively encouraged, with several ladies already attending practice sessions.
Falkland Cricket Club (FCC) from Newbury, Berkshire, will today travel over 7,000 miles to the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic to play its international namesake, the Falkland Islands Cricket Association (FICA). Included in the three-match tour of the Falklands will be a thrilling return-leg on 5 March, during which FICA will hope to avenge their 22-run defeat to FCC in July 2007, during FICA’s seven-game tour of England. FCC will be the first sporting team in history to visit the Falkland Islands with the purpose of playing sport, although teams from visiting naval and cruise ships have played in the Islands.
The visiting Falkland CC team will commence their three-match tour by playing Stanley, a team from the Islands’ capital, on 1 March. Their next match (3 March) will be against Mount Pleasant, a team representing the military personnel serving in the Islands. Finally they will face the FICA, a combined team of civilians and military players, on 5 March. The team will then tour Chile, where they have arranged to play a further three matches.
The FCC tour coincides with the week-long ‘Spirit of Cricket’ festival being held in the Falkland Islands to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Falkland Islands Cricket Association was awarded Affiliate membership of the ICC in 2007. During the festival week there will be six matches, including two juniors’ games, and also social events for the players and their families. The festival will end on 7 March with the closing match of the annual South Atlantic Ashes series between the Governor’s XI and the Commander of the British Forces’ XI.
Another cricket first will take place in July 2010, when FICA will send a team to Scotland to compete in a tournament with Falkland CC, Newbury, and Falkland CC, Fife, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Falkland CC, Fife. This will be the first time the three ‘Falkland’ teams will meet; whatever the outcome, it will make for an interesting ‘sporting triangle’.
The Falkland Islands are a UK Overseas Territory and as such have a love of all things British, including cricket. Laying claim to the southernmost cricket ground in the world, cricket in the Islands is going from strength to strength. The population of around 3,000 boasts four teams, which may be the largest ratio of players per head of population of any country. In April, the Junior Team will embark on a four-match, week-long tour of Chile. Developing closer links with the Chilean Cricket Association is a key part of the strategy for developing the junior game in the Falklands which should lead to a much stronger adult game.
Looking to the future of cricket in the Falklands, planning permission has been granted for the development of a new cricket pitch in Stanley on part of the Golf Club site. The long term aim is to build a joint clubhouse with indoor facilities. The formation of a women’s team is also being actively encouraged, with several ladies already attending practice sessions.
South Yorkshire Golf Pro Backs 2016 Olympic Inclusion Bid
Plans to include golf in the 2016 Olympic Games would encourage more youngsters to take up the sport, according to South Yorkshire-based professional Andy Carnall.
PGA-qualified Andy, golf manager for leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV), believes inclusion in the Games would have a positive impact on junior development at local clubs.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) has this month submitted a formal and technical bid to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Programme Commission.
Andy, who is responsible for SIV’s four courses – Beauchief, Birley Wood and Tinsley Park in Sheffield and Tapton Park in Chesterfield, said: “Clearly, there is much work to be done by the IGF before any IOC decision is made but a positive outcome would have a huge impact on local golf clubs.
“At SIV, we are committed to creating the right conditions and providing the best facilities to attract and nurture young talent. Having an end goal to compete against the world’s best in the Olympics can only increase the appeal of golf and help the sport to grow in the future.”
Golf is one of seven sports being considered for inclusion at the 2016 Olympics, plus with baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash.
A maximum of two new sports can be introduced by the IOC and a decision is expected in October, when the host of the 2016 Games will also be announced. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are all in contention.
PGA-qualified Andy, golf manager for leading leisure operator Sheffield International Venues (SIV), believes inclusion in the Games would have a positive impact on junior development at local clubs.
The International Golf Federation (IGF) has this month submitted a formal and technical bid to the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Programme Commission.
Andy, who is responsible for SIV’s four courses – Beauchief, Birley Wood and Tinsley Park in Sheffield and Tapton Park in Chesterfield, said: “Clearly, there is much work to be done by the IGF before any IOC decision is made but a positive outcome would have a huge impact on local golf clubs.
“At SIV, we are committed to creating the right conditions and providing the best facilities to attract and nurture young talent. Having an end goal to compete against the world’s best in the Olympics can only increase the appeal of golf and help the sport to grow in the future.”
Golf is one of seven sports being considered for inclusion at the 2016 Olympics, plus with baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash.
A maximum of two new sports can be introduced by the IOC and a decision is expected in October, when the host of the 2016 Games will also be announced. Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo are all in contention.
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