May - WheelBlacks.com

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 2014 NZ Wheelchair Rugby Championships (WRC)
NZWR welcome athletes, officials and supporters to the 2014 NZ Wheelchair Rugby
Championships. This year we will see seven teams battle out for national pride over
two rounds, split between Wellington and Christchurch respectively. We wish the
participating teams the best of luck and know that players, officials, supporters and
spectators will enjoy some great Rugby over the next few months. On behalf of the
whole NZWR family we would like to acknowledge and thank all of the sponsors and
volunteers, who allow this competition to take place.
Adam Wakeford
Competition Coordinator
 Round 2: Christchurch 6–7 June / Pioneer Stadium
Tournament Draw: Saturday 6 June





Time
0930
1130
1315
1400
1600
Game
15
17
AGM
19
21
Court 1
/
AUW v CAR
AUB v MAN
Game
16
18
Court 2
WEL v CAB
WEL v WAI
AUB v CAR
CAB v WAI
20
AUW v MAN
Tournament draw: Sunday 7 June – Pioneer Stadium





Time Game
Court 1
/
0900 17
CAB v MAN
1100 19
AUB v WAI
1300 21
5V6
1500 23
1V2
AWARDS CEREMONY
Game
18
20
22
24
Court 2
CAR v BOP
AUW v WEL
7V8
3V4
Tournament Draw: Sunday 7 June




Teams:
Canterbury Black
Auckland Blue
Wellington
Canterbury Red
= CAB
= AUB
= WEL
= CAR
/
/
/
Teams:
Manuwatu
Auckland White
Waikato
= MAN
= AUW
= WAI
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Revised Team Lists and Draw:
Canterbury Red






Players
Greg Mitchell
Luke Kenmare
Steve Hannen
Antonio Vecchio
Cody Everson
Jeremy Williams
Grade
4.5(S)
3.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
0.5
Staff Role
Jamie Fellows
Tania Huelsen
- Manager
- Staff
Grade
4.0(S)
3.0
2.0
2.0
1.5
0.5(o)
0.5(o)
Staff Role
Cathy Tinker
- Manager/Staff
Grade
4.5(s)
4.0(s)
4.0(s)
4.0(s)
3.5(s)
3.5
3.0
1.5(f)
1.0
0.5
0.5
0.0(f)
Staff Role
Earlwyn Uncles
Jeff Merwood
- Coach
- Manager
Canterbury Black







Players
Paul Taylor
Michael Todd
Sholto Taylor
Mike Natzke
Paul Saunders
Andrew Chittock
Donald Corkill
Manuwatu












Players
Glen Jones
Brendon Uncles
Tony Tyson
Luke McDowall
Reif Solomon
Barney Koneferenisi
Jeff Merwood
Marinda Jones
Jason Solomon
Henry Matthews
Neil Cudby
Jenneen Flack
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Wellington







Players
Brandon Amey
Alan Signal
Chris Barry
Clayton Utia
Chris Lay
Gavin Rolton
Catherine Gregory
Grade
4.5(s)
4.0(s)
3.0*
2.0
1.5
0.5
0.0(f)
Staff Role
Catherine Gregory - Manager
Rachel Butcher
- Physio
Albert Utia
- Mechanic
Grade
4.0(s)
2.5
2.0(o)
2.0
2.0
1.5(o)
1.5
0.5
0.0(o)
Staff Role
Peter Klinkhamer
Calvin Hewitt
- Mechanic
- Manager
Grade
3.5(s/f)
3.0
2.0
2.0(f)
1.0
1.0
Staff Role
Letitia Butler
Jai Waite
Adam Wakeford
Steve Smith
- Staff
- Coach
- Manager
- Mechanic
Waikato









Players
Robert Verner
Cameron Leslie
Peter Martin
Robbie Hewitt
Seliti Moataane
Chris Harvey
David Klinkhamer
Tim Young
Chris Moore
Auckland Blue






Players
Juliana Carvalho
Steve Smith
Nafi Lefono
Maiz Amai
Jai Waite
Adam Wakeford
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Auckland White






Players
Willy Harris
Dan Buckingham
Tim Johnson
Gary McMurray
Phil Spring
Marty Payne
Grade
4.0(s)
3.0
2.0
2.0
0.5(o)
0.0(o)
Staff Role
Tim Johnson
Willy Harris
Dan Buckingham
Zuzana Vaculova
Tournament Officials:
Championship protest panel



Tim Johnson
Phil Washbourn
Jon Corson
Referees










Phil Wasbourn
Tony Dinnington
Scott Juilius
Rebecca Washbourn
Cherie Porter
Christabelle Grant
Bevin Jenkinson
Jon Corson
Kelly Chittock
Miles Wilson
- (Head Ref)
Classifiers



Sara Edwards
Gina Isbister
Brendon Vercoe
- (Head Classifier)
- Coach
- Mechanic
- Manager
- Staff
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 2014 WRC – Tournament 1 Results…
Hi All (NZWR Membership)
These are the results and provisional standings after the first round of WRC just held
in Wellington. With our thanks going to the organising committee, volunteers, officials
and all teams attending. With over 1,200 goals scored, and three games going into
overtime, it looks like the competition in New Zealand is stronger than ever!
Keep training hard, See you all in Christchurch.
Regards,
Adam Wakeford
NZWR Tournament Coordinator
DAY 1
Time Game Court 1
1000 1
AUW V WEL
48 – 26
1200 3
AUB v WAI
45 – 44
1400 5
MAN v WAI
48 – 50
1600 6
WEL v CAR
38 – 57
Game Court 2
2
CAB v MAN
47 – 29
4
CAB v CAR
54 – 53
7
AUB v AUW
39 – 45
DAY 2
Time Game Court 1
0900 8
AUB v WEL
58 – 40
1100 10
MAN v CAR
44 – 65
1300 12
AUB v CAB
53 – 40
1500 14
MAN v WEL
55 – 56
Game Court 2
9
AUW v CAB
42 – 35
11
AUW v WAI
40 – 37
13
CAR v WAI
39 – 57
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TABLE AFTER ROUND 1:
Team
Played
Win
Loss
Points
Auckland White
Auckland Blue
Waikato
Canterbury
Black
Canterbury Red
Wellington
Manuwatu
4
4
4
4
3
2
0
1
2
8
6
4
4
4
4
4
2
2
4
2
2
4
1
3
2
0
4
0
* 2 points Awarded Per
Win
 A report from the floor…
A team that included two current and two former Wheel Blacks stole the show in what
was the long awaited beginning of the domestic season.
Auckland White's combination of Dan Buckingham, Phil Spring, Gary McMurray and
Tim Johnson was the line-up to beat in Porirua, Wellington last weekend (May 1011), finishing the weekend unbeaten.
While Tim and Gary's fitness was questioned, they proved to be solid enough for the
team to close out their matches 48-26, 45-39, 42-35, 40-37 against Wellington,
Auckland Blue, Canterbury Black and Waikato – with well-timed injections coming
from Tinder King Willy Harris and Martin Payne.
Auckland Blue combined to be another strong opposition, only losing one game all
weekend – against Auckland White.
Lead by 3.0 Steve Smith, Auckland Blue had a tough start in the Wheelchair Rugby
Championship's first round – winning by one in overtime against Waikato, before
going on to beat Wellington 58-40 and Canterbury Black 53-40.
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Ably supporting Steve was current Wheel Black mid-pointers Maia Amai and Nafi
Lefono, with Jai Waite and Adam Wakeford taking care of business in their low-point
roles. Brazilian import Juliana Carvalho also absorbed some pressure when required
on court.
Waikato Wheelchair Rugby proved to be the surprise package of the round,
consistently hanging in there but failing to bring it home in games against Auckland's
Blue 45-44, and White teams, 40-37.
Quad-amp Cameron Leslie was his usual sweaty self for Waikato while Wheel Black
coach Peter Martin donned the Lyn River gloves for another season along with babyfaced assassin David Klinkhammer, raging Robbie Hewitt, sneak-attack Chris Moore,
and the soon to be 40 babe'n Rob Verner.
Joining the cluster-ruck of teams vying for play-off spots, Canterbury Black proved
too strong for the regional counterparts as they took out the derby 54-53.
In their other matches, Black won two – with the other being a 47-29 win against
Manawatu – and lost two – 42-35 to Auckland White and 53-40 to Auckland Blue.
Their team consists of Paul Taylor, Mike Todd, Sholto Taylor, Mike Natzke, Paul
Sanders, Andy Chittock, and Donald Corkill.
The Canterbury Red team of Greg Mitchell, Luke Kenmare, Steve Hannen, Antonio
Vecchio, Cody Everson, and Jeremy Williams struggled at times but was the sort of
opposition you'd never give an inch as they were perfectly capable of bringing it back.
The addition of a chunky Barney Konoferenisi to Manawatu proved a match-maker,
with the green machine looking dangerous time and time again. Manawatu's team
was Glen Jones, Barney, Reif Solomon, Jeff Merwood, Marinda Jones, Jason
Solomon, Henry Matthews, Neil Cudby, and Jenneen Flack – Manawatu had more
players listed who didn't make it on court over the weekend.
Meanwhile tournament hosts Wellington had a varied weekend of results. Combining
Alan Signal, Clayton Utia, Christopher Lay, Gavin Rolton, Catherine Gregory, Chris
Barry, and Brandon Amey, they managed just the one win – a 56-55 thriller over
Manawatu.
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No doubt teams will go back to the drawing board and come up with some tactics on
how to knock each other over as the race for the trophy heats up in Christchurch over
June 7 and 8.
New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby would like to thank sponsors Lyn River, McIsaac
Caregiving, New Zealand Rugby Foundation, The Lion Foundation, and Parafed
Wellington – who gain additional thanks for putting their hand up to host the event.
A special mention also goes to the referees, classifiers, bench officials, and
volunteers who gave, and continue to, their time to make this event possible. As the
old cliché goes: we wouldn't be able to play this game if it wasn’t for you.
Cameron Leslie
 New Zealand names team for 2014 Canada Cup
Nearly half of the national wheelchair rugby
team to contest the Canada Cup in June is
made up of New Zealand Rugby Foundation
VIPs.
Aucklander’s Dan Buckingham, Phil Spring
and Tainafi Lefono, join Hamilton's Robbie
Hewitt in the 10-strong Wheel Blacks team
as they look to continue their progression to
the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
The June tournament, which will boast several of the world's top 10 sides, serves as
a perfect curtain raiser for the Kiwis' main event this year – the IWRF World
Championships in August.
Coach Peter Martin believes the Canada Cup is a great opportunity for the Wheel
Blacks to put their plays, and players, to the test against quality opposition.
“We get very good at playing ourselves in New Zealand, and sometimes the quality
isn't quite there. For the team I just don't think it's realistic to play opposition of that
quality and then beat them at world championships, it takes some adjusting to the
play when you're under pressure.
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“Canada Cup is a big bench mark as far as I'm concerned. It's a great opportunity to
get over there and see what we can do with top eight teams and still have time to
come back and re-group, asses what worked, and what didn't.
“We'll be able to test some of these more outlandish things we're trying and see if
they can work.” Lefono is one of four 'mid-point' players who Martin believes the
pressure is on to pull their weight.
“I need them to be able to take an awful amount of heat and them to step up. Up until
now they have needed carrying, it'd be great to put them out there and they can carry
their own weight. That's something we really need.” Canada Cup serves as another
stepping stone for the Wheel Blacks towards the 2016 Rio Paralympics, where the
Kiwis hope to achieve a podium finish.
“We currently have a world ranking of 10th … [but] there is no doubt within our squad
we have some real talent developing, which has yet to show its full potential.
“Our ultimate goal, in this four year cycle, is a podium finish at the Rio Paralympics.
[But], as a small sport, with a small player base, with relatively little support, we need
our top athletes to strive to perform at their highest level, to be self-driven, selfmotivated, in order they achieve their potential.”
Christchurch's Sholto Taylor will co-captain the side with Auckland's Gavin Rolton.
The New Zealand team leaves for the Canada Cup on June 16.
2014 NEW ZEALAND WHEEL BLACKS TEAM – CANADA CUP:
Dan Buckingham (Pt Chev, Auckland), Barney Konoferenisi (Papatoetoe, Auckland),
Cameron Leslie (Whangarei), Sholto Taylor (Christchurch), Maia Amai (Pt England,
Auckland), Tainafi Lefono (Mt Eden, Auckland), Robbie Hewitt (Te Aroha, Waikato),
Adam Wakeford (North Shore, Auckland), Phil Spring (Papakura, Auckland), Gavin
Rolton (Swanson, Wellington). Coach: Peter Martin (Waikato).
Article and photo courtesy New Zealand Rugby Foundation
http://www.iwrf.com/?page=iwrf_news&id=295
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 Wheel Black's big plans…
Wheel Black Tainafi Lefono plans to be the first
tetraplegic completing bachelor of physiotherapy
in New Zealand. Lefono, 28, is in his fourth year
of study at Auckland University of Technology and
admits it has been tough but rewarding. He broke
his neck playing rugby in 2007.
The Mt Eden resident has always had a love for
sport and fitness but it was during his spinal
rehabilitation that he grew to really appreciate
physiotherapy. "I knew before getting into the
course that the practical side was going to
present some challenges," he says.
WHEEL BLACK: Tainafi
Lefono will make his return to
the Wheel Blacks at the
Canada Cup in June.
For some practical assessments Lefono uses a
rehab assistant who he gives verbal instructions
to, meaning he needs extensive knowledge of
correct procedures. His neck injury happened
during a pre-season game for the Otago premier
team. At the time he was in his second year of
studying health science at Otago University.
"A lot of questions started running through my head, what was I going to do now?"
Lefono says. "What kind of life will I have? How will my family cope?" "This began a
journey of hardships and triumphs as I carved out a new life for myself."
Aside from his study Lefono keeps up his love for sport as a member of the Wheel
Blacks wheelchair rugby team.
He has been named as part of the 10-strong squad to contest the Canada Cup in
June. It will mark his return to the national side after a two-year hiatus to concentrate
on his studies. Lefono's Wheel Black coach Peter Martin says the Samoan's inclusion
is a welcome addition to the team. "He's picking concepts up quick, what's letting him
down is lack of fitness," Martin says. "I still think there's time, he's getting fitter and
you can see that."
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Lefono has admitted it has been tough re-entering the team and he has had to work
hard to catch up to his team-mates. He trains six days a week while continuing his
study and working at Middlemore Hospital.
Lefono is looking forward to no longer being a "poor university student" and getting
out into the workforce. "I have a passion for public health, especially helping to
prevent lifestyle diseases affecting Pasifika," he says. "Other areas I am interested in
is neuro-rehab, especially stroke and spinal cord rehab and I also have keen interest
in fitness and nutrition."
www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/10038565/Wheel-Blacks-bigplans
 Official IWRF Balls for Sale
With the new season about to start do you need some new Wheelchair Rugby Balls?
ParaFed Canterbury has a supply of new Official IWRF Balls for Sale.
Cost - $50 per ball - plus postage
Contact Ken Sowden
03-385 4449 or 021 0575992
Email to - [email protected]
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 Plenty of intensity, pace in wheelchair rugby
Gavin Rolton is not short on athleticism. Get the
31-year-old into a game of wheelchair rugby and
it's game on. "I love the intense pace - we don't
hold back," the 31-year-old Wheel Blacks cocaptain says ahead of the Canada Cup challenge
next month.
"People who watch the game see us racing
around and smashing into each other, but there's
actually a lot of strategy involved."
Rolton moved to west Auckland from Wellington
last month with his partner Mel who volunteers for
the game, tries to get funding and is also a bench
official.
Gavin Rolton from the New
Zealand “Wheel Blacks” team
has found a new home
He has once again been named Wheel Blacks cocaptain for next month's contest, when the top
eight international teams available will vie for the
cup.
After that the Australians, who are second in the world behind the United States, will
be visiting for the nationals in Papatoetoe, then it's on to the World Championships in
Denmark in August.
Rolton's life was a lot different 10 years ago when he was living in Australia as an
active surfer and snowboarder. His world took a dramatic turn in 2005 when he dived
head-first into a river without checking the depth first on the Sunshine Coast. "I just
wasn't thinking," he says. "My head hit the bottom and I broke my neck."
Rolton was left a tetraplegic and spent six months in a spinal unit before his long road
to recovery. "It took about five years for me to reach independence. "I do still need
help with things and I've had great support from family and friends."
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Rolton started playing wheelchair rugby seven years ago and it has taken him in a
completely new direction. He is the team's blocker and is charged with keeping
defence tight at the back. "I can't just sit around and do nothing," he says.
"Wheelchair rugby is a great way for me to keep active; it helps open up the
endorphins. I do like to try motivate others who are in wheelchairs. One day I'd like to
own my on gym specifically for this. "It's tough to lift yourself if you get too heavy."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/10019102/Plenty-of-intensity-pace-inwheelchair-rugby
 Wheel Blacks on hunt for success
Whangarei wheelchair rugby athlete Cameron Leslie is off to Vancouver next month
for the Canada Cup. Photo / Michael Cunningham
Cameron Leslie hopes his trip to Vancouver this time will be a sweet success, after
last time the wheelchair rugby athlete was left with a sour taste when his team placed
ninth. Next month Leslie and the New Zealand wheelchair rugby team (Wheel Blacks)
are heading over to contest in the Canada Cup, a competition featuring eight of the
top wheelchair rugby teams in the world.
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AUCKLAND
Last time the team was in Vancouver was in 2010 for the International Wheelchair
Rugby Federation (IWRF) World Championships, where they placed ninth after going
in one of the teams fancied to win. "There's some pretty painful memories from there.
We pretty much got spanked," Leslie said. "We should have finished better than what
we did but we dropped our bundle.
"We're staying at the same venue, playing at the same venue [this time around], so
hopefully we can rewrite those memories from there," he said.
The June 19-21 tournament serves as a perfect curtain-raiser for the Kiwis' main
event this year, the IWRF World Championships in Denmark in August, Leslie said.
"Because we haven't played a number of these teams in years, it'll be really good for
us to get a blow-out and see these players that we'll being coming up against at
World Champs in Denmark."
Wheel Blacks coach Peter Martin said the Canada Cup is a great opportunity for the
Wheel Blacks to put their plays, and players, to the test against quality opposition.
"Canada Cup is a big benchmark as far as I'm concerned. It's a great opportunity to
get over there and see what we can do with top eight teams and still have time to
come back and re-group, assess what worked, and what didn't," Mr Martin said.
Canada Cup serves as another stepping stone for the Wheel Blacks towards the
2016 Rio Paralympics, where the Kiwis hope to achieve a podium finish, he said.
"We currently have a world ranking of 10th ... [but] there is no doubt within our squad
we have some real talent developing, which has yet to show its full potential. "Our
ultimate goal, in this four-year cycle, is a podium finish at the Rio Paralympics. [But],
as a small sport, with a small player base, with relatively little support, we need our
top athletes to strive to perform at their highest level, to be self-driven, self-motivated,
in order they achieve their potential."
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northernadvocate/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503448&objectid=11248267
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 Wheelchair rugby: Veteran expected to take the heat
Sholto Taylor will have a co-captain's role at the Canada Cup.
Even at 41, and in a sport he has played since its inception in New Zealand, Hawkes
Bay's Sholto Taylor is breaking into new territory. In June the wheelchair rugby player
will captain the Wheel Blacks for the first time at the Canada Cup - a competition
which will feature several of the top 10 international teams.
One of the original Wheel Blacks, Taylor has been given the captain's tag by coach
Peter Martin who believes the Christchurch resident is still as good as he ever was.
"I think he'll relish it. He's been one of the few who has been really positive and
supporting what we're trying to do vocally to the team. He's come a long way for
himself to do that, and he's playing bloody well," Martin explained. "Hopefully he'll be
a captain that relishes it and lives up to the challenge, maybe it's just what he needs.
It's good to have someone that says a bit too, he's been there done that and he's still
performing."
While the captaincy isn't Taylor's first stint, after captaining the Wheel Blacks in 1998
at the Toronto World Championships where they lost to the US in the final, he will
need to call on all of his experience.
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Taylor is one of four "mid-point" players who Martin believes the pressure is on to pull
their weight. "I need them to be able to take an awful amount of heat and to step up.
Up until now they have needed carrying, it'd be great to put them out there and they
can carry their own weight."
The June tournament serves as a perfect curtain-raiser for the Kiwis' main event this
year - the IWRF World Championships in August. Martin believes the Canada Cup is
a great opportunity for the Wheel Blacks to put their plays, and players, to the test
against quality opposition.
"We get very good at playing ourselves in New Zealand, and sometimes the quality
isn't quite there. For the team I just don't think it's realistic to play opposition of that
quality and then beat them at world championships, it takes some adjusting to the
play when you're under pressure.
"Canada Cup is a big benchmark as far as I'm concerned. It's a great opportunity to
see what we can do with top eight teams and still have time to come back and
regroup, assess what worked, and what didn't. We'll be able to test some of these
more outlandish things we're trying and see if they can work." Canada Cup serves as
another stepping stone for the Wheel Blacks towards the 2016 Rio Paralympics,
where the Kiwis hope to achieve a podium finish.
"We currently have a world ranking of 10th ... [but] there is no doubt within our squad
we have some real talent developing, which has yet to show its full potential. "Our
ultimate goal, in this four- year cycle, is a podium finish at the Rio Paralympics."
Taylor will co-captain the side with Auckland's Gavin Rolton. The team leaves for the
Canada Cup on June 16.
 New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby AGM
Notice has been sent out to all members stating that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of
New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby is to be held Saturday 7th of June 2014 – 1.15pm, at the
tournament venue “Pioneer Stadium” in Christchurch.

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