Consumer Events
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Howzat!?! Manukau South Blind Sports Club (MSBSC) in Samoa to spread the cricketing word
In June and October this year, MSBSC will be travelling to Samoa to teach a group of 14- to 24-year-olds all about blind cricket.
This is a programme coordinated with PREB (Samoa's equivalent of the RNZFB), which kicked off with an initial visit last November, when six MSBSC members travelled to the islands.
Daniel Te'o, one of the players, said, "We were a real blessing to these kids. Many of them had never experienced sport other then track and field before. They picked it up right away, and we saw huge improvements in the three days we were there."
The Samoan group of cricket converts plan to meet and play once a month. To ensure this happens, MSBSC met with a volunteer cricket development co-ordinator from Australia who will be based in Samoa for the next 12 months and will work closely with the group.
PREB members don't have access to sports gear or other equipment, such as sunglasses or white canes. MSBSC left PREB members with wickets, bats, balls and batting gloves so they can practice their cricket and want to take other useful goods with them next time. If you can donate old sunglasses, canes or other items, please contact Donna McCaskill via the RNZFB's freephone number 0800 24 33 33 or on mobile 021 169 9274.
You can check out MSBSC's Bebo page at www.bebo.com/MSBSC
Fun and self-confidence at SEYFF Peer Support Camp
Towards the end of 2007, 17 members and volunteers participated in SEYFF's sixth Peer Support Camp, held at Camp Adair in Hunua, Auckland.
SEYFF (Support and Education for our Youth, their Families and their Friends) was formed in 2003 as a support and education network for 17- to 30-year-olds.
The focus of the camp was on self-confidence and knowing yourself. Activities included rope courses, workshops, fun games, laughter, and lots of great food!
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Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. If you want to know more about this and other events, check out our Bebo site: www.bebo.com/s-e-y-f-f Also tune into your local TIS Service Option 5.
NZ VIEW's New Plymouth weekend proves fruitful
In early November the NZ VIEW Executive and Delegates met in New Plymouth for a face-to-face weekend meeting to discuss current and future matters. All area groups were represented. The 2008 Conference, Consumer Consortium, WBU and membership were amongst the range of issues discussed at length.
Huge thanks to our New Plymouth group who arranged accommodation, meals and conference facilities superbly.
Further details are available from Ailsa Morgan, NZ VIEW National Administrator, ph: 07 348 2765 email: aislabie@clear.net.nz
National Blind Lawn Bowls Championships
The National Blind Lawn Bowls Championships were held at the Havelock North Bowling Club at the end of November 2007. Twenty-five players and their Directors from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay and Wellington took part in four days of singles and pairs competitions, finishing with a prize-giving and dinner on the Thursday evening.
The hospitality and friendship of the Havelock North Bowling Club members made this a very enjoyable tournament for all those who participated.
Results are as follows:
B1 singles David Monk, Tauranga.
Runner-up Marilyn Savage, Auckland
B1 pairs Nola Burgess, Gisborne and Christine Litchfield, Auckland. Runner-up Marilyn Savage, Auckland and Louise Henry, Hamilton
B2 Singles Ken Jordan, Napier. Runner-up David Stallard, Auckland
B2 Pairs Doreen Couchman, Hamilton and Glen Hanneman, Auckland. Runner-up David Stallard, Auckland and John Hobson, Hamilton
B3 Singles Bev Bai, Mount Maunganui. Runner-up Danny Simon, Hamilton
B3 Pairs Danny Simon, Hamilton and Kaye Wood, Auckland. Runner-up Audrey Johnson, Auckland and Maggie Hay, Tauranga
A Training Squad was announced after these championships. From this squad a team will be selected for the World Blind Lawn Bowls Championships in Melbourne in April 2009, for which fundraising is now underway.