19 May 2010

Inspirational design: Immanuel Debeer of Natcoll Design Technology's new logo.

Inspirational design: Belgium Natcoll Design Technology student designs logo

Immanuel Debeer, Natcoll Design Technology student, is a qualified grapic and web designer from Belgium who has been living in New Zealand for the past five years.

The ideas that Immanuel based his design around were words like inspiration, discovery, empowerment and success, but Immanuel also wanted New Zealand's culture to show through.

The Maori symbol of Hei Matau (fish hook), which symbolises strength and determination, was where Immanuel started. He then combined the abstract symbols of both athlete and the two islands of New Zealand to finally create a logo that incorporates all of the above and also the spirit and equality of the games.

For further information about Natcoll Design Technology, click the link below.

www.natcoll.ac.nz

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6 May 2010

Declare or dispose: The no-nonsense advert produced by Biosecurity New Zealand.

Declare or dispose: Biosecurity instant fine to double to $400 on 22 April

The advert says: When you're caught, you'll face a $400 instant fine.

On 22 April the biosecuritry instant fine at the border doubles to $400.

Delcare or dispose off fruit and other biosecurity risk goods when entering New Zealand.

DECLARE OR DISPOSE: IT IS NEW ZEALAND LAW.

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz

SOURCE: Biosecurity New Zealand
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8 March 2010

On track: The new training track facility at QEII Stadium is well underway. Photo: Garden City Helicopters

On track: Good progress has been made on laying of the new training track at QEII Stadium.

The new training track facility at QEII Stadium includes a long and high jump, throwing circles and Javelin.

These are all in place and the grass around the track has been re-sown. The final touches will be made shortly.

This photo show the new track, left, the existing track and stadium, right, and the large white-roofed building that houses the health and fitness centre, squash and basketball courts, café and Aquatic Centre comprising a ten lane pool, leisure pools and hydroslides.

Also captured in the photo is the residential area of New Brighton and the Pacific Ocean, top.

For more information about QEII Park, click the link below.

http://www.qeiipark.org.nz

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7 March 2010

Eye in the sky: Aerial photograph above QEII Park shows the the new training track, top, with main track and stadium, right, and golf driving range, left. Photo: Garden City Helipcopters

Eye in the sky: Garden City Helicopters has kindly provided aerial photography of the new training track, detailing the long jump and javelin areas.

To view these facilities and the sights of the beautiful city of Christchurch for yourself, book a sightseeing flight with Garden City Helicopters by contacting Simon: simon@helicopters.net.nz, or clicking the link below.

http://www.helicopters.net.nz

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4 March 2010

The qualification criteria document for the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships has been updated.

Click the link to visit the official IPC Athletics website where you can obtain the latest published version [PDF].

http://ipc-athletics.paralympic.org

SOURCE: IPC Athletics website
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22 January 2010

The 'right choice': Paralympians training at Hagley Park in the heart of Christchurch.

The 'right choice': Christchurch is the right choice to host the world athletics championships, admits CEO Xavier Gonzalez.

The chief executive of the International Paralympic Committee, Xavier Gonzalez, admits Christchurch is the right choice to host the world athletics championships, ahead of his home town of Barcelona. Barcelona was the other city in the running to hold the event, but after spending time in Christchurch this week he decided that the best choice was made.

"Barcelona is my home town so you can see my difficulty, but after just two days here in the city I know we have made the right choice," Gonzalez said.

"Paralympic sport is about breaking boundaries, opening up new frontiers, so it is appropriate that we move out of the comforts of Europe and come down to this beautiful city. The legacy to be left here in Christchurch will bring increased participation from people with a disability into sport for the country.

"Additionally, the paralympics movement will leave a lasting impression in New Zealand for the entire world to see."
The event will bring 1300 athletes from 70 different countries as well as 900 officials, coaches and managers and 150 international technical officials to the city from January 21-30 next year.

The events, to be held at QEII Stadium, include include track and field for athletes with disabilities such as spinal cord injury, amputations, visual impairment and cerebral palsy. Prime Minister John Key yesterday announced a $400,000 Major Events Development Fund grant to support the event. Key also accepted the position of event patron.

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee said that the funding would help ensure the success of the world's second-largest international sports event for athletes with disabilities. New Zealand had participated in a competitive bidding process to win the four-yearly event, Brownlee said.

"It is a great honour for us to host the championships as it is the first time it has been held outside of Europe."

Paralympics New Zealand CEO Fiona Pickering said that the support from the Gov-ernment and the Christchurch City Council had been fan-tastic.

"With the championships expected to have an economic impact over $12 million for Christchurch, the support we have received from both the New Zealand Government and Christchurch City Council is critical in making this a truly world-class event," Pickering said.

Officials from United Kingdom Athletics have visited Christchurch and Australian athletes are training here.
In preparation for the event work has begun on building an eight-lane, 400m training track and facilities for field events such as long jump, high jump and discus, shot put and javelin.

SOURCE: Matt Markham, The Press
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21 January 2010

Officious occasion: Prime Minister John Key, accompanied by Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee, meets IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez. Photo: Courtesy of CMGSport

Officious occasion: Prime Minister John Key accepts the position of Patron of the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships.

The government has announced a financial boost for the 2011 International Paralympics Athletics Championships to be held in Christchurch.

Having attended the opening of the newly revamped AMI Stadium at dawn, Prime Minister John Key made the announcement at QE II Stadium.

Key has also accepted the position of patron of the championships.

Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee says $400,000 will be contributed towards the championships being held in Christchurch 21-30 January 2011.

Brownlee says with one year to go until the event, funding from the Major Events Development Fund will help ensure the success of this elite international event.

"These World Championships are held every four years and New Zealand was awarded the event after a competitive bidding process. It is a great honour for us to host the championships as it is the first time it has been held outside Europe."

The 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships is the world's second largest international sports event for athletes with a disability and is expected to attract around 1300 athletes and almost 900 officials from 75 countries.

Brownlee says the event will not only provide role models for disabled individuals but will also raise the profile of paralympic sport in New Zealand.

"It is the first event in what will be a significant year for New Zealand sport."

SOURCE: Newstalk ZB / ONE News
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21 January 2010

Construction on-track: Prime Minister John Key, right, IPC CEO Xavier Gonzalez, left, and Paralympics NZ CEO Fiona Pickering inspect the construction of the new track at QE-II Stadium. Photo: Courtesy of CMGSport

Construction on-track: The new training track at QE-II Stadium is well-underway.

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20 January 2010

Government boost: The New Zealand Government has made a grant of $400,000 to support the event.

Exactly one year out from the start of the 2011 IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Athletics World Championships to be held in Christchurch, the New Zealand Government has made a grant of $400,000 to support the event.

Announced by the Prime Minister, John Key, during an inspection of the QE II facilities yesterday, the event will be a great opportunity for athletes to showcase their potential and the first time it has been held outside Europe.

Fiona Pickering, CEO of Paralympics New Zealand, said that as well as the fantastic support from the Government and Christchurch City Council, she was delighted that the Prime Minister had accepted the position of Patron of the championships, which will run from 21-30 January 2011.

"With the Championships expected to have an economic impact in excess of $75 million for New Zealand and $12 million for Christchurch, the support we have received from both the New Zealand Government and the Christchurch City Council is critical in making this a truly world class event," she said.

In excess of 1,300 athletes from 70 countries plus 900 officials, coaches, managers and 150 international technical officials will be in attendance.

"Christchurch has a proven track record for hosting a wide array of successful international events and this event will further establish the city as an international sporting destination," she said.

Mayor of Christchurch Bob Parker said that it is a great privilege for Christchurch to be the first city outside Europe to host the event.

"We understand the importance on the world stage of not only hosting such an event, but ensuring that it becomes a great event. It is Christchurch’s ambition and determination to make this the greatest IPC Athletics World Championships ever held," he said.

Officials from UK Athletics have already visited the city, Australian athletes are currently training there, Canadian officials are visiting next week and teams from the United States, Brazil and France are visiting in the near future. Also as part of preparation for the Championships work has already started on building a new eight-lane, 400m training track as well as facilities for field events such as long jump, high jump and discus/shot put/javelin throwing positions.

Xavier Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of the IPC, who attended the one year out celebration, said that personally he found it a great challenge to pick between the two cities that were seeking to host the event, Barcelona and Christchurch.

"Barcelona is my home town so you can see my difficulty, but after just two days in the city I know we have made the right choice. Paralympic Sport is about breaking boundaries, opening up new frontiers, so it is appropriate that we move out of comforts of Europe and come down to this beautiful city. The legacy to be left here in Christchurch will bring increased participation from people with a disability into sport for the country. Additionally, the Paralympic Movement will leave a lasting impression in New Zealand for the entire world to see," he said.

Also participating in the inspection were the Minister of Economic Development, Gerry Brownlee, Helen Murphy, IPC Athletics Manager, Paralympics New Zealand Chairperson, Mark Copeland and Paralympians Kate Horan and Jessica Hamill.

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