Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 23 March 2016
Afternoon Tea with Allyson Gofton
96 year old super fan
Charity Event Page 18 -19
Page 17
Easter Extravaganza Page 29
Fewer locals keeping active
A report shows that more people in Nelson and Tasman are adopting sedentary lifestyles dominated by new technology as the economic value of the sport and recreation sector in the region declines. The Lincoln University report on the economic value of sport and recreation in Tasman and
Marlborough found that the sector contributed $149.3 million or 2.5 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2012-13, down from $197.4m or 3.8 per cent of GDP in 2008-09. It also concludes that the sector’s impact is waning with fewer people exercising and Sport Tasman chief executive Nigel Muir says
that’s a concern. “When you look at the enormous investment that goes into health and the alarming statistics on obesity, depression and diabetes, it begs the question why we don’t invest more resources at the top of the cliff,” he says. “Sport and recreation is not a solo solution but can make a huge dif-
ference to the vibrancy of our community. That’s why Sport Tasman exists to get more people more active, more often.’’ Nigel says sport and recreation is “much bigger than the economic impact, it’s about enriching lives and connecting communities.’’ He says the report is further evidence of the importance sport
and recreation plays in the economy and the everyday lives of people in the region. The report also shows the number of people taking part in sport and recreation remains high but has fallen, mirroring trends here and overseas.
SEE PAGE 2
Rainbow Rage on one wheel, and one leg Brittany Spencer
Ethan Bruce with his leg in plaster after breaking it during the Rainbow Rage mountain biking race on Sunday. Ethan still finished the race on his unicycle. Photo: Simon Bloomberg.
Richmond man Ethan Bruce has completed the 106km Rainbow Rage not only on one wheel, but also one leg. The Richmond volunteer fire fighter completed Sunday’s Rainbow Rage on a unicycle, despite breaking his leg in two places just 30 kilometres into the race. “I went to wipe my brow and I clipped a stone which bounced me sky high, and when I came down my foot slipped and got wrenched in between the fork and the crank,” says Ethan. “I felt an almighty crack and then my wheel locked and I went fly-
ing even further, it was a double whammy.” He says he never thought of quitting despite other riders offering to use their SOS beacons so he could get a ride out. “Too many people didn’t believe that I could do it on a unicycle and I had to prove them wrong,” he says. Ethan fractured the top of his tibia, a bone in his foot and is suspected to have torn ligaments around his fibula. He was competing in the race to raise money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand, which is the charity for the annual Fire Fighters
SEE PAGE 2
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