Hi,
Give me a small round 'red ball' any day! Cricket is a game I am familiar with. I know what is supposed to happen to make a cricket game work.... I can show a young cricketer what to do.... and I know enough about strategy to guide a team to hopefully be competitive. Ask me to coach a cricket team I will be the first to put my hand up. Ask me to coach a netball team; well that's a whole different ball game. I know little about the game of Netball, but when asked if I would consider coaching my daughter's year nine team, I thought to myself, "really, how hard can it be'? Surely it's just like cricket, just a bigger ball". Reality hit at our first practice. The warm up and stretching exercises went brilliantly, but my very first ball skill drill went horribly wrong. From that point on I knew I was in trouble. In reality I was the student and my year nine team were the experts.
The experience reminded me again how difficult coaching can be for novices like me. I've done enough youth work over the years to get me by, but most parent volunteers with little experience would struggle to tread water. A dream of Ignite sport is to develop new ways of supporting and encouraging our sports volunteers. Without proper support volunteers often give up and sadly some players follow suit and give up sport involvement altogether.
The opportunity to connect with young people through sport is one we must not let pass. Anyone can make a positive contribution in our schools and communities and not just parents. One of Ignite Sports goals in 2008 is to identify both the need and the opportunity so that ordinary people like you and I can be involved, encouraged and adequately supported. It is not difficult to make a difference by becoming a sports volunteer. In fact the difference you could make could change a young person's destiny forever.
If you have a heart for sport, can I encourage you all to consider some form of involvement and make your life and your time count!
Kevin Goldsbury (Ignite Sport Coordinator)
BREAKFAST WITH NICK WILLIS
Over 230 people jammed into the Petone Workingman's Club to hear Commonwealth Games 1500m and NZ record holder Nick Willis speak about his story as an athlete and his build up to this year's Beijing Olympics. Nick with his brother Steve, who is part of Nicks coaching team, were in Lower Hutt in March for a brief visit before heading to the New Zealand Track and Field Championships. Nick, who is currently based in the States talked about his journey and shared many insights and motivational tips about life and his preparation for this year's Olympics Games. Those who attended the function included local school students, members of the athletics community and supporters who have been keen followers of Nick's career. The function also gave opportunity for Gary Murphy, head of PE at HVHS to speak of Ignite Sports work and support of young athletes at their school. Lower Hutt's Mayor David Ogden also spoke on behalf of Hutt City wishing Nick the very best in his build up to Beijing and his endeavours to bring home the 'gold'.
The breakfast raised $3000 for the ongoing work of Ignite Sport.
Ignite Sport sends out regular email updates on Nick's progress as he prepares for Beijing. If you would like to receive these updates please contact Kevin Goldsbury: or phone 9202204.
IGNITE SPORT FEATURES AT MASTER SPORTS TOURNAMENT
A team of 30 athletes (35 years +) represented Ignite Sport at this year's Masters Sports Camp at Totara Springs, Matamata. The Ignite Sport Masters Team (aka 'Once Were Athletes') was made up of players from Wellington, Northland and Auckland. The team acquitted themselves well both on and off the field and featured in four finals, winning two of them, and 12 semi-finals. Ignite was also runners up in the Sportsmanship Award. Not a bad effort first year up for a bunch of old fellas!
This was Ignite's first 'Masters' camp and we will also look to enter teams in future 'Youth' and 'Open' camps.
If you are interested in participating in the Ignite Sport Team at future sports camps? Contact Kevin Goldsbury Ph 9202204; Email - .
HVHS FIRST ELEVEN CRICKET TEAM TO TOUR FIJI - October 2008
Ignite Sport and HVHS are working together to organise a First Eleven Cricket Team tour to Fiji. The team will play several games against Fijian representative and age grade sides. They will also spend time serving Fiji Cricket by running coaching clinics for children in under resourced schools and communities and leaving a fully stocked gear bag with each school.
This is Ignite Sports' second trip to Fiji and we are looking to use this 'school-based' trip as a pilot and expose young sportsmen to the realities of life in a different and and often poorer culture, and of course, play the game they love! This exposure/discovery trip will give the team memories they will never forget and provide opportunities to practically serve and make a difference in someone else's world.
Kevin Goldsbury from Ignite Sport has coached the HVHS first eleven for the past two years. He will be working with the support of several parents and volunteers to make the trip a reality.
RAISING FUNDS FOR THE IGNITE SPORT TRUST
THE ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
Purchase your 2008/09 Entertainment book from Ignite Sport for $55 and Ignite Sport receives $11. Entertainment books feature the best in dining, accommodation, theatres, sports and much more... all with 25% to 50% off or two-for-one offers. Purchase your book today and at the same time, you will be supporting our fundraising efforts.
To purchase your book contact:
Lower Hutt: Kevin Ph 9202204;
Upper Hutt: Vicki Ph 9702224;
REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE
Ignite Sport has a charity fundraising account with Trade Me. As a charity TradeMe will generously donate half their commission on anything we sell back to Ignite Sport. If you have any used items or goods in relatively new and in good working condition, we would love to pass them on for someone else to use and at the same time, you will help raise money for the ongoing work of Ignite Sport Trust. We would be grateful for any items you can give us to sell, especially newish books/cd's, sports equipment etc.
Thank you to those who have donated goods to date. Last month we generated enough income to pay the office rent.
If you can help and have goods to donate please contact:
Lower Hutt: Kevin Ph 9202204;
Upper Hutt: Vicki Ph 9702224;
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE
Ignite Sport is looking to set up a centre that will better serve its mission and vision. We are currently looking to rent a base in the heart of Hutt City that will enable us to work more effectively with young athletes and coaches. Presently we do not have use for all the space, therefore we have office/storage space available for other businesses, groups or organisations to rent at a very reasonable cost.
If interested please contact Kevin Goldsbury - Ph 04 9202204 or (027)2112229
BECOME AN IGNITE SPORT VOLUNTEER
Ignite Sport is a volunteer-based organization. We totally rely on committed people wanting to make a difference in their community. Here are some ways you could be involved:
* Coaching/Managing a local school or club sports team.
* Assisting with Ignite Sport community events such as 'Ignition', Quiz Nights, Saints & Angels etc.
* Offering your expertise at one of our sports academy programmes.
* Mentoring and supporting a young athlete or sports person.
* Providing administrative assistance at the Ignite Sport Office.
* Make a donation or provide business sponsorship towards the work of Ignite Sport in your community.
IGNITE SPORT TRUST
Ignite Sport Trust as a Charitable Trust with a vision to positively influence New Zealand sports culture and provide opportunity for all people to realize and reach the God-given potential in both sport and life. If you would like to know more about the work of Ignite Sport please visit our website or phone the Ignite Sport Office (04) 9202204.
Charities Commission Registration Number: CC20406
IGNITE SPORT WEBSITE >>>
DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIP >>>
IGNITE SPORT IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:
