I am Leesa Andrewes, the new Parafed Community Sports Advisor for Northland.  I studied a Sport and Recreation degree at AUT and have worked in Sports Administration and Coaching over the past seven years.  I’m looking forward to working with people in our Community who have Physical and Visual Impairments and see them involved in Sport and Recreation for enjoyment, competition and good health.

MAIN OBJECTIVES:

Increase opportunities and encourage Northlanders with physical and visual impairments to participate in sport and recreation at all levels

Support initiatives and increase access into clubs and schools

Please contact me with your ideas or queries: leesaa@sportnorth.co.nz

09 437 9632, 027 705 9520

Unfortunately due to the earthquake in Christchurch, the South Island Independence Games had to be cancelled.    Parafed Canterbury are now back at work and are concentrating on the 2012 Independence Games.

At a meeting held on February 28 2011, at the Whangarei Cruising Club the Northland Sailability Trust was formed.    It is now at the stage of getting all legal paperwork completed and look forward to the next season of sailing, hopefully with our own boats.

Check out the sailability photos in the gallery

 They had also held an open day at their gym on Tuesday 1 December.   Parafed Northland was represented by Theresa Lynn, who took along further information to enhance that provided by Brian and Karen.   Although disabled people were not to be seen on the day, many took the opportunity to have a go.   Awareness was raised in the community and any opportunity will be used to do so.    For further information on powerlifting, contact Brian @ Brians Gym in Dargaville, ph 09 439 6360.   The gym can be found at 10 Victoria Street and Brian is available for coaching as he is a powerlifter himself.

Sailability in partnership with Tiaho Trust and Whangarei District Council, held a demonstration day at the Town Basin from 11am until 2pm.    There was a good turnout to take this opportunity to have a look at the boats used.   From this, a club is to be formed to hold a regular programme here in Whangarei.   Another week of have a go days is to be held from 28 February until 3 March 2011 at Parua Bay.    Keep watching this space for more updates.   Photos will be posted in the gallery shortly.

Danny McBride and Nathan Twaddle will be present.

To capitalise on the World Champs, an Open Day for any existing Disabled athlete to come and try rowing.

So, if anyone knows any athlete with a disability, who probably lives in the North Island, pass this message on to them, and if they want to know more, contact:

Kevin Strickland                                               ph: +64 7 823 4586

Domestic Rowing Manager                         mob: 021 706 617

Rowing New Zealand                                       fax: +64 7 823 4589

kevin@rowingnz.com                             www.rowingnz.com

 Come along to the Town Basin between the hours of 11am and 1pm, if you are really keen on sailing and have a disability.    Help make this a successful day on the International Day of Disabled People and ensure that the programme can become permanent in the North.   More days are being planned for 2011, so watch this space.

For further information, contact Tiaho Trust.

Brian Froggatt is organising a have a go day between 11.30 am and 4 pm on Saturday 4th December 2010 as part of the Kaipara Community Expo.   Come along and give it a go.    If this date does not suit you, then go along to Brian’s Gym in Dargaville on the 1st December between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.

Te Raki Troopers represented Northland at the Wheelchair basketball Nationals held in Porirua 15-19 September 2010.    Although they finished 6th out of 8 teams, for a team that has been together since the beginning of the year, it was a great achievement.    Canterbury played Auckland in the final and this was an awesome game to watch, with Canterbury taking out the top place, becoming National champs for 2010.   Congratulations to all teams taking part in the weekend.   Brent Lynn from Northland (Te Raki Troopers) is in the squad selected for the New Zealand Men’s Team.    Congratualtions to Brent and Good Luck for the future.

Check out the photo gallery.