News and commentary from Boyes Public Relations

The latest news and views from Peter Boyes and the team at Boyes Public Relations. We specialise in strategic communications counsel, brand strategy, crises and issues management, digital and marketing communications strategy, business to business and consumer PR, media and presentation training, lobbying, government relations and media liaison for a range of retained and project-based clients in government, corporate and non for profit sectors.

OVER ONE THOUSAND WOMEN GET A KICK OUT OF PLAYING SUB FOOTBALL

More than one thousand Auckland women have signed up to play SUB Football, a summer time brand of soccer, every week for the forthcoming season. Interest in refereeing is also booming, with seven female referees now holding officiating positions.

SUB Football, which was developed in New Zealand in 1998, is a summer sport, with seven players on the field and an unlimited number of substitutes. Competitions are held for mixed, men's and women's teams. In a mixed team, the goalkeeper may be male or female but no more than 3 male outfield players are permitted.

Stephanie Brown, who has been a SUB Football referee for the past eight years, believes there are a number of reasons that women are becoming increasingly attracted to the sport.

‘A lot of the women I’ve spoken to have said that they like the fact that SUB Football encourages mixed sides,’ explains Stephanie. ‘That means that groups of men and women that either want to play against each other or on the same team can participate in the same sport. It is much more inclusive than a lot of comparable sports out there.

‘A lot of women are also attracted by the no contact rule. They can have a good time playing and developing their football skills without worrying about being knocked over or injured.

‘On top of all that, it’s also a great way to keep fit,’ adds Stephanie. ‘In fact, recent research from the UK has shown that women can burn more calories playing football than doing an intensive workout at the gym. Women are realising that they can keep themselves in shape playing football and have fun doing it. It’s certainly not just a sport for the boys.’

SUB Football now has midweek modules running in Auckland and Melbourne, with plans to expand the sport throughout the rest of New Zealand. It is played on a pitch which measures 60 x 40 metres and games are 40 minutes duration. Players get three points for scoring in the main goal while hitting one of the sideboards is worth one point. The season runs until early March with a mid-season break between mid December and mid January.

This year there will be 192 Mixed teams playing at Auckland Domain each week. SUB Football is also running a Mixed Competition at Walker Park with capacity for 36 teams and a 24 team women's only competition on 13th February 2011.

For more information on SUB Football, visit www.subfootball.com

LEAP IN BUSINESS MENTOR CLIENT SESSIONS SHOWS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT IS STILL A CHALLENGE FOR MANY SMES

According to Business Mentors New Zealand, the nation’s only not-for-profit mentoring organisation, the country’s SMEs are still struggling with the after effects of the world wide economic dip. This is reflected in the fact that the number of sessions taken by the 1,600+ volunteer mentors has risen significantly since 2009.

‘In the last 12 month period, BMNZ assisted a further 2, 385 clients, with mentor meetings exceeding 9,000 for the year,’ explains BMNZ CEO, Ray Schofield. ‘This represents a 44% increase in meetings over the previous year and suggests that clients are often faced with addressing a range of challenges and opportunities that are of a greater complexity than in the past.’

‘Many small business owners have never experienced a business environment like the one we are operating in at the moment,’ adds Ray Schofield. ‘That means they may need a little more support, whether it is advice they require, someone to act as a sounding board for ideas or they simply need an empathetic person to listen to the challenges and difficulties that they are facing.

Sometimes that is all that is needed to reinvigorate a business owner and help them identify strategies and opportunities for future growth.’

As well as recovering from the global recession, many New Zealand businesses are also requiring extra assistance following disasters such as the earthquake in Canterbury and severe weather damage elsewhere in the country.

'Individuals in hard hit areas will require a substantial increase in support to help them get back on their feet,’ says Ray. ‘That is why Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Economic Development responsible for the Canterbury Earthquake recovery programme, is utilising more than 300 of our volunteer business mentors throughout the region to help small-to-medium businesses recover after the quake. We have also waived our $100, plus GST, registration fee. It is hoped that this contribution will help families and neighbourhoods throughout the impacted areas recover quickly, both emotionally and financially, and get back to running their businesses as soon as possible.’

‘Despite the hard times businesses are going through, we are optimistic that things will improve,’ adds Ray. ‘The fact that so many SMEs are recognising how beneficial speaking to a mentor can be is a huge step in the right direction.’

Business Mentors provides access to 1,600 volunteer mentors (who provide their experience, skill and knowledge free of charge). The focus of the organisation is on developing capability, profitability, and employment generation. Since the organisation was established in 1991, Business Mentors has assisted over 53,000 small to medium businesses. It is funded largely by patrons from the private sector, with additional support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. It provides a mentoring service to any businesses that are trading with evidence of accounts.

There is no limit on the amount of mentoring sessions. The term of the relationship with a mentor depends on the objectives and goals both client and mentor jointly agrees upon. They can also contact their co-ordinator at any point for further assistance

For more information on Business Mentors New Zealand, visit www.businessmentors.org.nz

BACK PAIN SUFFERERS CONCERNED ABOUT OVER USE OF PAINKILLERS MAY FIND RELIEF FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE ACCORDING TO NEW SURVEY ANALYSIS

People concerned about the over use of pain killers or unwanted side effects from some common medications may find relief from complementary approaches according to The New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association.

New research published in the latest issue of The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine reports that around four million Americans find relief from back pain through chiropractic every year.

Dr. Hayden Thomas, spokesman for the New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association says: `There has been a lot in the news about people overdosing on common painkillers and unwanted side effects such as heart attack and stroke from anti-inflammatory drugs. It is important to realise that some musculo-skeletal conditions may be relieved through other safer options such as chiropractic care.

`This new study shows that back pain is the second most common reason patients seek medical care. Complementary medicine is used by 40% to 60% of the population yearly, and back pain is the most common condition for which people use complementary therapies, most of them consulting a chiropractor. Using a nationally representative survey, the researchers documented that the majority of respondents who used this approach for back pain perceived great benefit and identified specific factors associated with perceived benefit.’

On the other hand, supplementation with glucosamine, a widely used approach, may not be as effective as first thought according to chiropractic led research published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association which reported that glucosamine did no better than a cellulose placebo for the relief of lower back pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) of the lumbar spine.

Dr Thomas explains: ‘The study indicates that glucosamine sulphate is no better than placebo in reducing pain-related disability in patients with chronic low back pain. These results do not say anything about the effect of glucosamine on the joints themselves, only that they may not be as effective for symptomatic relief as commonly believed.

'The key findings from current research indicates that the best results for chronic low back pain come from improving function through exercise, manual intervention such as chiropractic care, stress reduction and taking a high quality omega 3 fish oil.'

NEW ZEALAND’S JOINT PAIN PROBLEM COULD BE EASED WITH MORE EXERCISE AND AN IMPROVED DIET ADVISES CARE CHEMIST

With New Zealand Arthritis Annual Appeal week beginning on 21st September, Care Chemist, the country’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, is encouraging New Zealanders to take care of their joints or risk the health consequences.

‘Keeping in good general health is vital,’ says Care Chemist spokesperson, Anthony Yee, ‘Being overweight can put immense pressure on the joints, for example, and can lead to an increased risk of arthritis.

‘As well as maintaining a healthy weight, keeping active also helps lessen pain and increases your range of movement,’ adds Anthony owner of Care Chemist Northcote. ‘Just be sure to include both aerobic exercises such as walking as well as resistance training to strengthen muscles.’

Recent joint health statistics are not encouraging. In 2010, over 530,000 New Zealanders aged fifteen or over are living with at least one type of arthritis, according to Arthritis New Zealand. This equates to 15.2% of the total population aged fifteen or over, or nearly one in six people. The total financial costs of arthritis in New Zealand in 2010 are estimated to be $3.2 billion or 1.7% of GDP.

Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to alleviate joint pain and treat the conditions which cause it.

On top of following a healthy lifestyle, Anthony says that many people have found that taking supplements such as fish oils, glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate may help reduce moderate to severe joint pain.

‘Given recent concerns about people taking too many anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) we recommend that people consult their Care Chemist to see if these supplements may help manage their painful joint conditions,’ adds Anthony.

As well as providing customers with information and advice on joint health, Care Chemist has also produced a Pain Control Wheel. The wheel is a simple tool that helps people understand how to combine ibuprofen and paracetamol based products, safely and effectively, when they require stronger pain relief. The wheel shows when to take the next dose of pain relief regardless of which type of pain medication was taken first.

CAMELSPACE HELPS MOVE HISTORIC ROB ROY HOTEL

Leading scaffolding company, Camelspace, was enlisted by the NZ Transport Agency to help relocate the famous Freemans Bay Rob Roy Hotel building. Camelspace has provided extensive scaffolding to ensure the 135 year old structure remains stable while strengthening and other preparatory work is carried out.

The Rob Roy Hotel (also known as the Birdcage) was moved 40 metres up Franklin Road at the end of August. The entire $2.5 million move took over one weekend day.

‘This is a very special project and we’re very happy to be involved. It’s fantastic that such a well loved and historically significant building has been saved and will be reinvigorated in the process,’ says Phil McConchie, Commercial Director and co-founder of Camelspace. ‘Moving an entire building, especially one as old and delicate as the Rob Roy is no mean feat and not something that many people will ever have the opportunity to work on. We’re proud to have been a part of it.’

‘Camelspace was approached to tender for the project due to our experience in all sizes of commercial project and in particular our infrastructure experience and proven track record,’ adds Phil.

The Rob Roy Hotel is a two-storey unreinforced masonry building built in 1885-86. As it lies in the path of the proposed Victoria Park Tunnel, it has to be moved twice. Firstly up Franklin Road while the tunnel is being built and then back to its original site which will then be on top of the tunnel’s roof adjacent to the southern portal. The brick building is being reinforced and placed on runway beams just below ground level before hydraulic arms push it gently and slowly along the beams up the road.

HEAD INJURY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNER, ELIZABETH CHARLESTON ONE OF RARE FEW TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT ‘INVISIBLE INJURY’

Elizabeth Charleston, former international model and founder of THINK, The Head Injury Network for Kiwis, has thrown herself behind a campaign to raise awareness of head injuries in New Zealand. Part of this educational drive has involved appearing on TV One’s ‘Attitude’ show on Sunday, 5th September, to discuss the impact her own head injury has had on her life and to increase understanding of the condition among New Zealanders.

Elizabeth is thrilled with the amount of positive feedback she has received since the show aired, believing it will go a long way towards demystifying an illness that many sufferers are embarrassed to talk about.

‘I am humbled by the number of messages people have sent me since the screening of the Attitude TV show that focused on my head injury,’ says Elizabeth. ‘People have been in touch to thank me for speaking up about the 'Invisible Injury' that so many New Zealanders are living with. Many have shared their own stories on trying to live with a head injury or support a family member or friend with one. It’s almost an epidemic in this country and sadly there is still very little that can be done about the condition.’

Elizabeth intends to continue campaigning for head injury awareness and hopes her efforts will help people realise the serious impact a head injury can have on a person’s life.

‘The majority of people with head injuries are not able to work fulltime again as they suffer from short term memory, fatigue and problems with their balance,’ Elizabeth explains. ‘It can be incredibly frustrating as they simply can’t do the things that they used to do.’

‘People also need to understand that it can happen to anybody,’ she adds. ‘This year, we are focusing heavily on individuals playing sport as that is where a huge chunk of head injuries are sustained. Horse riders and cyclists must wear a helmet to protect their heads. Those involved in sports such as soccer and rugby are also susceptible. The key message is to always be careful and never become complacent.’

As well as heading up THINK! and campaigning through various media, Elizabeth was also involved in Head Injury Awareness and Appeal Week in June.

Saddlery stores, Stirrups Equestrian and Saddlery Warehouse offered their support throughout the week and offered significant discounts on new riding helmets to encourage horse riders to wear protection when participating in their sport.

The thirty minute ‘Attitude’ piece can be viewed at http://tvnz.co.nz/attitude/s2010-e26-video-3759382

For more information on the Head Injury Society of New Zealand, visit www.head-injury.org.nz or visit the THINK! Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/THINK-The-Head-Injury-Network-for-Kiwis/378242020990?ref=ts