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New Paralympics New Zealand Website and "Brand" to be launched early October!
In early October Paralympics New Zealand will
be engaging in a number of exciting advances - a new Organisational
brand, an exciting new Website, and the Web based Education
Resource Programme, developed by Bernice Mene.
Wheel Blacks Win Chris Handy
Cup In Sydney
The New Zealand wheelchair rugby team, the Wheel Blacks,
convincingly beat the Australian Steelers to win the Chris
Handy Cup on Friday 2nd August in Sydney.
The Wheel Blacks bounced back from a disappointing 6th at
the recent World Championships to beat Australia 42-37. The
Australians, the 2001 winners of the Cup and ranked 3rd in
the world, could not respond after going down 2 goals at halftime
and conceded a number of crucial turnovers. Wheel Black captain,
Bill Ougthon, receiving the Most Valuable Player award and
Sholto Taylor had a strong game.
The Wheel Blacks Head Coach, Barry Hislop said "The Team
played very well today. They played like a team, supported
each other and kept the pressure on Australia all the time.
It is great to have the Chris Handy Cup back in New Zealand."
The Wheel Blacks had beaten an Australian team and a Great
Britain Development team the day before and had shown they
playing well winning 45-40 and 42-22 respectively. The Team
returns to New Zealand on Tuesday after playing 2 further
development games against Australia and Great Britain.
The team were as follows:
Athletes:
Bill Oughton (Christchurch, Captain), Steve Guthrie (Christchurch),
Phil Spring (Fielding), Geremy Tinker (Christchurch), Tim
Johnson (Christchurch), Curtis Palmer (Auckland), Sholto Taylor
(Hawkes Bay), Dan Buckingham (Christchurch)
For further information:
Cherie Porter
Team Manager
Mob. (021) 351 336
Andy Parkinson
NZWR President
Mob. (025) 202 1598
Email. andyp@paralympicsnz.org.nz
Wheel Blacks Ready For World Title Challenge
The New Zealand wheelchair rugby team, the Wheel Blacks,
departs New Zealand on Wednesday 22nd May, 2002 to compete
at the International Wheelchair Rugby World Championships.
The team will be departing from Auckland International Airport
at 11.55am for Gothenburg, Sweden with high hopes of bettering
their 3rd place at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. The Wheel
Blacks first game is against Belgium in pool play on Tuesday
28th May. Other nations in the Wheel Blacks’ pool are Great
Britain, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and the 2nd ranked
nation in the world, Australia.
Andy Parkinson, NZWR President says "The Team had their last
training camp last week and they all looked fit and ready
to take on the best teams in the world in Sweden. The pool
is certainly in the Wheel Blacks’ favour and the Coach will
be looking for some strong performance from key players."
The team has been well supported in their preparation by
Paralympics New Zealand, the New Zealand Academy of Sport
and the New Zealand Community Trust.
Good luck emails can be sent to wheelblacks@hotmail.com
or faxed to + 46 31 750 88 82. Results can be found at http://www.wcrugby2002.com
throughout the event.
The team is as follows:
Athletes:
Geremy Tinker (Class: 2.0, Christchurch, Captain), Bill
Oughton (1.0, Christchurch, Vice-Captain), Andrew Chittock
(1.0, Christchurch), Gary McMurray (2.0, Auckland), Tim
Johnson (2.0, Christchurch), Curtis Palmer (2.5, Auckland),
Sholto Taylor (2.5, Hawkes Bay), Peter Martin (2.5, Hamilton),
Dan Buckingham (3.0, Christchurch), Paul Leefe (3.5, Auckland)
Staff:
Cherie Porter (Team Manager, Christchurch), Barry Hislop
(Head Coach, Wellington) Phil Washbourn (Support Staff),
Rebecca Washbourn (Support Staff), David Tielman (Medical,
Christchurch), Mike Turner (Mechanic, Christchurch).
For further information:
Kathy Barwell
Paralympics NZ Manager – High Performance
Tel. (09) 522 4601
Mob. (025) 229 7511
Email. kbarwell@paralympicsnz.org.nz
World Championships Teams
Announced By Paralympics New Zealand
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has today named teams to compete
at the Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia and Shooting World Championships
over the next three months.
Craig Hobbs, PNZ Executive Director says that the strength
of these teams gives every confidence that they will add to
the recent successes at Salt Lake City of Winter Paralympians
Rachael Battersby and Steve Bayley. "We have teams competing
in seven World Championships this year as well as athletes
at the Commonwealth Games. Results from these events help
to establish qualifying for the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games
so expectations are high."
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
The Wheel Blacks, ranked 3rd in the world, will be looking
to do better than their bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic
Games when they compete at the International Wheelchair Rugby
Federation World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden from
the 28th May to the 3rd of June. The main competition will
come from the USA, Canada and Australia. The team departs
from Auckland on the 22nd of May.
Athletes:
Geremy Tinker (Class: 2.0, Christchurch, Captain), Bill Oughton
(1.0, Christchurch, Vice-Captain), Andrew Chittock (1.0, Christchurch),
Gary McMurray (2.0, Auckland), Tim Johnson (2.0, Christchurch),
Curtis Palmer (2.5, Auckland), Sholto Taylor (2.5, Hawkes
Bay), Peter Martin (2.5, Hamilton), Dan Buckingham (3.0, Christchurch),
Paul Leefe (3.5, Auckland)
Staff:
Cherie Porter (Team Manager, Christchurch), Barry Hislop (Head
Coach, Wellington) Phil Washbourn (Support Staff), Rebecca
Washbourn (Support Staff), David Tielman (Medical, Christchurch),
Mike Turner (Mechanic, Christchurch)
Event Website: http://www.wcrugby2002.com/
BOCCIA
4 athletes in the team to travel to the World Boccia Championships
on the 18th – 29th June at Povoa do Varzim, Portugal have
had top 8 finishes at recent world events, including Ross
Flood who achieved New Zealand’s best international result
with a 4th place at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. Two
athletes will make their international debuts, Liam Sanders
from Auckland and Greig Jackson from Levin. The team flies
out from Christchurch on June 16th.
Athletes:
Greig Jackson (BC3, Levin), Paul Woodhead (BC3, Christchurch),
Henk Dijkstra (BC3, Dunedin), Paul Munckhof (BC1, Auckland),
Liam Sanders (BC1, Auckland), Ross Flood (BC2, Auckland),
Stacey Roche (BC2, Hamilton)
Staff:
Kerry Stead (Team Manager, Christchurch), Trevor Jenkinson
(Head Coach, Christchurch), Deane Sanders (Assistant Coach,
Auckland), Amy Tope (Players Assistant), Kyle Simpson (Ramp
Assistant), Peggy Rowlands (Ramp Assistant) Saemi Tanaka (Ramp
Assistant)
SHOOTING
Colin Willis is currently competing at the Swiss Open in
preparation for the IPC World Shooting Championships in Hwasung,
Korea (3 –13 July). After finishing second at the Oceania
Championships last year in the R1 Air Rifle Standing event,
his build up has been assisted by a number of New Zealand
Shooting Federation training camps.
Athletes:
Colin Willis (SH1, Christchurch)
Staff:
To be announced at a later date
Event Website: http://www.kosad.or.kr/shooting/
For further information
Kathy Barwell
Manager – High Performance
Tel. (09) 522 4601
Mob. (025) 229 7511
Email. kbarwell@paralympicsnz.org.nz
Following the successful Forum held in conjunction with the
2001 Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) AGM the membership called
for a further Forum to specifically discuss the relationship
between PNZ and the membership.
On 23rd March 2002 the PNZ membership met in Wellington with
the key outcome to clearly define the roles and responsibilities
of Paralympics New Zealand and member organisations, how one
can support the other and how the two parties develop a working
relationship.
Please see below for copies of the PNZ Presentation delivered
to the members and the notes taken from the Forum.
PNZ Members Forum - Wellington March 2002
Powerpoint
Presentation [To run the presentation click the link.
N.B. As this presentation is 3.5MB in size high bandwidth
is recommended for those interested in viewing it. Microsoft
Powerpoint must also be installed on your computer. Use
Page Down/Up to navigate the presentation]
Notes
from the Forum [These notes are formatted as a PDF file,
viewable using Adobe's Acrobat Reader. If you don't already
have Acrobat Reader you may download the latest version
here] - 
Vlll Winter Paralympic Games
Open in Salt Lake City
The New Zealand flag will be flying in the Rice
Eccles Stadium today as the New Zealand Winter Paralympic
Team begin their 2002 campaign. Led by Cantabrian Rachel Battersby,
second overall on the FIS World Cup Circuit leading up to
the Games, the small New Zealand contingent will contest the
Alpine disciplines Downhill, Super G, Slalom and Giant Slalom
over the next nine days of competition.
Fellow Cantabrian Steve Bayley will be hoping
his solid form leading into the Games will push him into medal
contention, he won Bronze in the Giant Slalom in Nagano in
1998.
Former Winter Paralympic Gold Medallist, Patrick
Cooper is a coach with the Team so there is no shortage of
experience and motivation.
430 athletes from 35 countries will parade in
Salt Lake today with host country USA looking to topple Germany
as the leading medal winning nation.
Further details and up to date results can be
sourced from the official Winter
Paralympics website or by visiting www.disabledskiing.org.nz.
The New Zealand Winter Paralympic Team is funded
by the New Zealand Academy of Sport through Paralympics
New Zealand.
John Hughes
Executive Director
Paralympics New Zealand
0274 548 845
Paralympics New Zealand appoints
new Executive Director
A strong background in sports marketing and sponsorship and
involvement in high performance sport as an athlete and coach
will give Craig Hobbs a solid start in his new role
as Executive Director of Paralympics New Zealand.
Craig was previously Marketing Manager for North Harbour
Stadium and most recently Sponsorship Account Manager for
Sportsworld Media Group N Z Ltd. His interest in and passion
for sport come from a lifetime involvement as an athlete,
coach and administrator, he is a former New Zealand rowing
trialist and National men's U-21 Hockey coach.
He moves into an organisation with a growing profile and
recognition and will add considerable value to what has already
been achieved.
Hobbs is delighted with his appointment and is eager to take
up the challenge of his new role. "Our Paralympians have achieved
international results that are the envy of most NZ Sports
Bodies. I am very much looking forward to directly contributing
to the development of, support for and opportunities provided
some of New Zealand's most inspirational and internationally
successful athletes. In addition I want to ensure the organisation
continues to provide a clear pathway for every member or potential
member to be involved in a sport of their choice at a level
of their choice."
Board Chairman Craig Purdy said "Hobbs was a standout candidate
from a very strong field and we believe the organisation will
be in good hands under his leadership."
Outgoing Executive Director John Hughes was also enthusiastic
about the appointment. "Craig has excellent credentials and
will do a great job in taking the organisation to another
level. There is a huge learning curve but Craig will inherit
a sound structure and dedicated staff and he has already demonstrated
a feel and understanding of the organisation that will stand
him in good stead."
Craig Hobbs officially takes over as Executive Director of
Paralympics New Zealand on March 28.
For further details please contact:
Craig Purdy 027 444 8649
John Hughes 0274 548 845
Craig Hobbs 021 622 078
Sporting CV follows.
SPORTING INVOLVEMENT:
HOCKEY
As a Player represented: Canterbury, Auckland, North
Harbour & Wellington
As a Coach:
- 1991 SLAM Premier Women's Team NZ Women's Interclub Knockout
Championship and the 1995 Auckland Women's Championship.
- Auckland Rep. 1st 1990 Trans-Tasman U16 Girls Tournament.
1st 1991 New Zealand U18 Girls Tournament.
- Coached 1994 Auckland B Men to win the North Island Men's
Tournament.
- 1996-98 Auckland Women's Team
- 1998 Assistant Coach, New Zealand Olympic Academy Men's
Squad
- 1998 Achieved NZ Level 3 Coaching Accreditation.
- 1999 - 2000 New Zealand Men's National Selector, Technical
Advisor New Zealand Men's Team
- 2000 - 2001 Head Coach - NZ Men's U-21 Hockey Team
- Won Oceania Junior World Cup Qualifying Series versus
reigning Junior World Champions Australia, 2 tests to 1.
- Seven members of the 2000 U-21 team were selected for
full National honours in 2001. 4 for the first time.
- 9th Place (NZ highest ever finishing position) 7th Junior
World Cup Hobart Australia.
ROWING
1982 -90
- Won 2 National Championship Lightweight Titles
- Canterbury Provincial 8 1985
- NZ trialist 1983-85
HEINEKEN OPEN CREATES HISTORY
ClaxoSmithKline Wheelchair Tennis Exhibition Match
The Heineken Open will create history tonight as it becomes
the first major tennis tournament in New Zealand to schedule
wheelchair tennis on the programme.
A thirty minute exhibition game sponsored by leading pharmaceutical
company GlaxoSmithKline will provide tennis fans with an action
packed insight into the game on wheels. The country’s four
top ranked players will battle it out showing their exceptional
tennis and wheelchair skills.
The only rule modification is that the ball can bounce twice
otherwise all ITF rules apply.
This initiative promoted by New Zealand Wheelchair Tennis
and Paralympics New Zealand follows an international trend
to include wheelchair tennis at major tournaments.
"Wheelchair tennis is administered by ITF with Heineken a
sponsor of both forms of tennis at an international level,
it is fantastic that New Zealand can be part of this global
trend" says Paralympics New Zealand Executive Director John
Hughes. "This is a great opportunity for us to profile this
exciting game to the tennis fans of Auckland. Auckland Tennis
have been extremely supportive and the inclusion of wheelchair
tennis can only enhance what is already a high profile tournament."
GlaxoSmithKline Managing Director Peter Schweikert says,
"GSK is proud to be associated with this event providing athletes
with disabilities an opportunity to showcase their talents
to the wider sporting public."
Further Information
John Hughes
Executive Director
Paralympics New Zealand
0274 548 845
Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championships
Parafed Canterbury from Saturday to Monday, December 1-3
will host the Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championships at the
Pioneer Stadium, 75 Lyttelton Street, Christchurch. The Gold
Medal game will take place at 3pm Monday the 3rd of December.
There will be 4 countries contesting the Championships with
some of the best wheelchair rugby players in the world taking
part. The top 2 teams will qualify for the Wheelchair Rugby
World Championships in Sweden 2002.
The teams competing are:
Australia – Silver medallists at the Sydney Paralympic
Games 2000
Japan
South Africa
and our very own
New Zealand Wheel Blacks – Bronze medallists at the
Sydney Paralympic Games in 2000.
New Zealand will be out to turn the tables on Australia after
recent close matches and with the very fast Japanese and the
South Africans who are competing for the first time internationally,
all is set up for three days of exciting wheelchair rugby
action.
If you have never seen this sport then don’t miss out on
this full contact, skilful game that is the fastest growing
Paralympic Sport in the world.
Chairman of the organising committee and Oceania Wheelchair
Rugby President, Ken Sowden said "This is the first time an
Oceania Qualifying tournament has been held and it promises
to be a festival of wheelchair rugby contested by some incredible
athletes".
See below draw for a complete break down of games.
DAY ONE - 1st DECEMBER
Game 1 10:00 Japan v New Zealand
Game 2 12:00 Australia v South Africa
Game 3 15:00 Japan v Australia
Game 4 17:00 New Zealand v South Africa
DAY TWO - 2nd DECEMBER
Game 5 10:00 Japan v South Africa
Game 6 12:00 New Zealand v Australia
Semi-Final 1 15:00 1 v 4
Semi-Final 2 17:00 2 v 3
DAY THREE - 3rd DECEMBER
Bronze Medal Match
13:00 Loser Semi 1 v Loser Semi 2
Gold Medal Match
15:00 Winner Semi 1 v Winner Semi 2
For further information
Ken Sowden
President
Oceania Wheelchair Rugby
03 385 4449
025 732 563
Phil Humphreys
Stadium Co-ordinator
03 326 7897
021 216 5010
New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby
2001 National Championships
Chance for National Team Selection
The 2001 NZWR National Championships will be hosted by the
Waikato Wheelchair Rugby Association from Thursday to Sunday,
November 1st – 4th at the Hamilton YMCA (11.00 am – 6.00pm).
The A Grade Final will take place at 2.30pm on Sunday, November
4 and all teams will be looking to topple Canterbury’s dominance
in recent years. Teams from Canterbury (2), Auckland, Central
(2), Wellington and Waikato, including local sporting legends
Peter Martin and Dave MacCalman, will contest for the National
title.
This year sees the introduction of a B Grade at the National
Championships, which will include two Waikato teams going
head to head. There will be much pride at stake in the local
derby between Waikato B and Tainui Waka.
Athletes will also be playing for a place in the Wheel Black
team to take on Australia, Japan and South Africa at the forthcoming
World Championships qualifier in Christchurch (December 1st
– 3rd).
NZWR President, Andy Parkinson said "This years National
Championships will be a fitting end to an already successful
domestic season. The Waikato community loves their wheelchair
rugby and I am sure the spectators will not be disappointed
with the level of play. With only a month to the qualifier
for next years World Champs many athletes will come to Hamilton
with much to prove."
For further information
Andy Parkinson
President
New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby
09 522 4605
025 202 1598
Isaac Rakena
Tournament Director
Waikato Wheelchair Rugby
07 824 5174
Paralympics New Zealand Juniors
replace CHOGM
as the only Game in Town.
With the cancellation of CHOGM in Brisbane the focus shifted
to the Australian Junior Disabled Games dominated by a New
Zealand Team who won 35 Gold Medals and set 31 New Zealand
Records.
Led by Alex McIntyre (Canterbury) and Madeleine Wenmouth
(Wellington) on the track and Sam Brown (Canterbury) in the
pool the juniors outperformed their Australian counterparts
and the visiting American Team.
Team Manager Ken Sowden said "all athletes performed outstandingly,
we are rapt with the results and confident we have a strong
base of junior athletes to carry on the fine record of New
Zealand representatives at World Championships and Paralympic
Games."
As well as performing in the competitive arena the team and
their supporters had also done a fantastic job of raising
the funds needed to get to Brisbane. In particular a grant
from the Variety Club - The Children's Charity had assisted
the Team in their fundraising efforts.
See a full list of results.
For further information contact:
John Hughes
Executive Director
Paralympics New Zealand
0274 548 845
MEDIA RELEASE
NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR
RECREATION AND SPORT AGENCY
Nicholas Hill has been appointed chief executive designate
of the new recreation and sport agency. He will take up the
position on 23 October and become chief executive once the
legislation creating the agency is passed towards the end
of the year.
For the past 10 years, Mr Hill has worked at a senior level
within the energy sector most recently as general manager,
commercial (NZ) of Fletcher Challenge Energy. Prior to that
he worked for ECNZ. He was for a number of years with Treasury
as an economic and financial analyst. He is currently working
as a commercial adviser to Santos Ltd in Adelaide.
Mr Hill said he was keen to get to work on setting up the
new agency and addressing the challenges highlighted in the
report of the Ministerial Taskforce into Sport Fitness and
Leisure.
"Our key priority has to be building a more active and healthy
nation. This will depend on providing strong support for community
based organisations and creating a sound and stable structure
for high performance sport," he said.
John Wells, chairman of the Hillary Commission board which
will become the first board of the new agency, said Mr Hill
had been chosen for his vision, strategic thinking ability
and strong leadership skills.
"The Ministerial Taskforce into Sport Fitness and Leisure
signalled there needed to be a significant change in sport
and recreation. We believe Nick has the right attributes to
take the new agency forward," he said.
"Nick has a successful track record of leading business
and organisational change with creativity, energy and enthusiasm.
He has a strong mix of private sector and government experience
which will be critical in achieving the Government's vision
of a healthier, more active and successful sporting nation.
What's more he has analytical and marketing skills that will
be extremely valuable as the recreation and sport sector undergoes
change."
Mr Hill is 40 and has degrees in law and arts. He played
rugby for Otago University U20, and plays tennis, touch rugby
and golf socially. He enjoys walking and tramping with his
family.
The recreation and sport agency is being set up to achieve
the Government's vision for a healthier and more active nation.
It will integrate key functions of the Hillary Commission,
the New Zealand Sports Foundation and the policy arm of the
Office of Tourism and Sport.
As chief executive designate Mr Hill will focus on establishing
the new agency until the legislation creating the organisation
is passed. Peter Smith will continue as acting chief executive
of the Hillary Commission until the new agency comes into
being.
--- ENDS ---
Contacts for more information:
| Nicholas Hill, Chief Executive Designate |
00 61 8 83593324 |
|
John Wells, Chairman
|
021 905 6491
|
(Currently in Europe - available on Wednesday between
10am and 11am NZT) |
|
Debbie Hannan, Communications Adviser
|
025 501 353
|
Nicholas Hill's biographical details are attached to this
media release. His photograph can be downloaded from the Hillary
Commission's website: www.hillarysport.org.nz.
Canterbury In Driving Seat
For The Final Round Of Domestic Wheelchair Rugby League
The third and final round of the 2001 New Zealand Rugby Foundation
Wheelchair Rugby Championships offers Canterbury the chance
to convert their national dominance into a 2nd consecutive
national title.
The Massey Recreation Centre, Palmerston North, will host
eight teams from around the country on Saturday June 30 (10.30am
- 6pm) and Sunday July 1 (10.30 am - 3pm).
With the assistance of the league's major sponsor, the New
Zealand Rugby Foundation, this year’s event has been a great
success. The high standard of wheelchair rugby has been a
perfect environment for potential national team members to
show their skills in front of the selectors in preparation
for the Wheel Blacks’ forthcoming test match against the Australians
(August 10).
NZWR President, Andy Parkinson, said "The support of the
New Zealand Rugby Foundation has been a critical factor in
lifting the level of this event. This year there have been
some outstanding team and personal performances and this can
only bode well for the forthcoming international programme."
The Central Crushers teams will be hoping to do well on home
turf and will expect much from Sholto Taylor, a member of
the Sydney 2000 Wheel Blacks.
For further information
Andy Parkinson
President
New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby
09 522 4605
021 153 1027 (29th June to 1st July) |
Neil Cudby
Media Liaison
Manuwatu Wheelchair Rugby
025 301 799 |
Athens 2004 Campaign Launched
Paralympics New Zealand has launched its campaign for the
2004 Paralympic Games in Athens by appointing a number of
coaches to monitor and direct the training and performance
of athletes over the next three years.
These volunteer positions will ensure a comprehensive buildup
is planned and the funding allocated to each sport is used
effectively. Following on from the success of the New Zealand
Team in Sydney the challenge is to have an even more successful
team in Athens.
"These coaches are an integral part of our plans for Athens
2004" says Kathy Barwell Academy Programme Manager of Paralympics
New Zealand. "They will be working with us to ensure our athletes
are adequately supported and prepared for a successful campaign."
"All coaches will work closely with the Academy of Sport
and also work towards establishing closer relationships with
the Head Coach of able bodied sports."
Paralympics New Zealand Coaches are:
- Noel Hardgrave-Booth / Swimming / Napier
- Jane Lowe – North Island Coordinator / Swimming / Wanganui
- Bev Savage / Athletics – Field / Hamilton
- Claire Dallison / Athletics – Track / Nelson
- Blanche Herbert / Athletics – Wheelchair Track / Auckland
- Jim Tunnicliffe / Powerlifting / Hamilton
- Rachel Bird / Equestrian / Palmerston North
- Barry Hislop / Wheelchair Rugby / Wellington
For further information contact:
Kathy Barwell
Paralympics New Zealand
Tel: 09 522-4601
Kathy Barwell
Academy Programme Manager
DDI. (09) 522 4601
Fax. (09) 522 4602
Email. kbarwell@paralympicsnz.org.nz
IPC Strategic Congress Defines
Future Policies
for Disabled Sports
Kuala Lumpur, April 29, 2001 - A new vision and mission will
define the International Paralympic Committee' future activities
and structure. They will be based on a strategic review of
the IPC, which will be conducted in the coming months. This
is one of the results of the IPC Strategic Planning Congress,
which was closed today in Kuala Lumpur after three days of
discussing the future of the umbrella organization for sport
for athletes with a disability.
About 250 delegates from 75 nations attended the congress
to determine the governance, roles and responsibilities and
structure of the IPC. They contributed to a more in-depth
understanding of the major concerns and challenges, which
the organization is facing. These challenges arise as Paralympic
sport is growing rapidly, which brings about new duties and
new approaches regarding the set-up of the organization. Today,
the IPC has more than 150 national members. At the time of
its foundation 12 years ago, there were only 50 National Paralympic
Committees. The number of elite athletes has also increased
dramatically with the level of performance constantly rising.
The congress agreed that the IPC's focus is on sport rather
than on disability. In addition, it was agreed that the IPC
as an athlete-centered organization needs to strengthen the
role of Paralympic athletes within its governing structures.
"The IPC is one of the most successful Sports Organizations
in the world. Its mission is to create, develop and promote
sports opportunities for athletes with a disability. However,
the focus is on managing the Paralympic Games, the pinnacle
of sports," explains Congress Chairman Dr. York Chow.
The Congress was hosted by the Malaysian Paralympic Council.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zainal Abu Zarin said: "We
are very pleased that this congress was held in Malaysia.
It was a great opportunity for us to promote sport for athletes
with a disability in our country and to get in close contact
with other members of the Paralympic family."
The President of the IPC, Dr. Robert Steadward, stressed
in his closing remarks the diversity, which exists within
the Paralympic movement. "Our goal is to provide more sporting
opportunities for athletes with a disability in the less developed
regions of the world and to strengthen the development of
all national members."
International Paralympic
Committee signs contract with Athens
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announce
it has signed a contract with the organising commmitee for
the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games (ATHOC).
The XII Paralympic Summer Games 2004 will be staged shortly
after the Olympic Games at the same competition venues. Approximately
4,000 athletes from 120 nations are expected to participate
in these elite sport competitions for athletes with a disability.
The Paralympic Games will thus be the second-largest elite
sporting event worldwide.
"This contract is an important step towards the success
of the next Paralympic Summer Games," said IPC President Dr.
Robert Steadward. "We have experienced some delays, so the
signing of this contract is a happy occasion for all our athletes.
With only three years remaining, ATHOC has a great deal of
preparation and challenge ahead."
"The IPC is confident that the Paralympic Summer Games in
Athens will be a tremendous success," said Steadward. "We
are enjoying an excellent relationship with the Organizing
Committee."
For the first time in the history of the Paralympic Games,
athletes with a disability will not have to pay an entry fee
for participating at the Paralympic Games. They will be treated
equitably with Olympic athletes, who have traditionally not
had to pay such a fee.
Following the example of Salt Lake City, the host of the
upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2002, there will
be one joint Organizing Committee for both the Olympic and
Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004. "This announcement is
great news for us" says John Hughes Executive Director of
Paralympics New Zealand. "As well as a considerable
saving off our Athens budget this is also a further step in
gaining recognition and equity for Paralympic athletes. The
fact that for all intents and purposes they will be treated
the same as Olympic athletes is a huge step forward and IPC
are to be congratulated for achieving this."
For further information contact:
John Hughes, Paralympics New Zealand - Mobile (025) 548 845
Paralympian Leads Development
Team to Australian Nationals
Double Paralympic Games medallist, Matthew Slade from Canterbury
heads a team of promising young athletes to the Australian
Track and Field Championships in Canberra this weekend. For
many of the squad it will be their last competitive outing
of the season and for Slade the end of a long season stretching
right back to his Paralympic buildup.
Paralympics New Zealand has sent teams to this event
for the last four years providing athletes with a high level
of competition and officiating without the expense of travelling
to Europe or North America. The Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games
have created a higher awareness of Paralympic sport and many
of these young athletes will have aspirations of making future
New Zealand Paralympic Teams.
Paralympics New Zealand Executive Director John Hughes
states "the make up of this team represents our committment
to development and ensuring we have quality athletes coming
through in the future. We will be observing the performances
in Canberra with interest to see which athletes can foot it
at this higher level and are worthy of investment as potential
Paralympians."
The full squad is Matthew Slade, Kylie Hogarth, Pamela Mori,
Jonathon Nelson, Mathew Peebles, Julian Bethell, Canterbury,
Michelle Nunn, Phillip Hansford, Southland, Craig Shepperd
Otago, Mark Symon Hawkes Bay.
For further information contact:
John Hughes, Paralympics New Zealand - Mobile (025) 548 845
Paralympians Go Head to Head
in Trans Tasman Athletics Test
Fresh from his 5th consecutive win in the Round the Bays
event, wheelchair racer Gavin Foulsham is set to go head to
head against Australia's Paul Nunnari as one of the highlights
of the Trans Tasman Athletics Test at the Towers Track, Mt
Smart Stadium this Saturday evening.
Nunnari will be out to make amends for his narrow loss to
Foulsham during last Sunday's waterfront event, however, Foulsham
could prove too strong in front of his home crowd.
The Glaxo Smith Kline 1600m wheelchair event is scheduled
to begin at 7.30 pm and will see the two athletes starting
at opposites sides of the track in a cycling style pursuit
race.
Paralympics New Zealand Executive Director John Hughes
says "this increasingly popular style of event provides spectators
the opportunity to witness the unique skills, and speed, required
to compete at the highest level of wheelchair racing."
For further information contact:
John Hughes, Paralympics New Zealand - Mobile (025) 548 845
 
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