Latest news with #GrahamLowe
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Will rugby league's State of Origin series come to New Zealand?
Will rugby league's State of Origin come to local shores? Photo: AAP / Photosport The government appears receptive to supporting a move to bring rugby league's State of Origin to these shores in two years' time. Speculation has resurfaced over the weekend of potential plans by the game's administrators to bring a game to New Zealand in 2027, with the government and tourism officials here reportedly involved in talks with the NRL. Rugby league legend Sir Graham Lowe has raised the matter with Sports and Recreation Minister Mark Mitchell, Auckland's Eden Park and Christchurch's forthcoming One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha) contenders to host a game. It comes as efforts to flesh out the future events calendar for Christchurch's new $683 million central city stadium continue ahead of its scheduled opening in eight months time. Whether its modest 30,000 capacity would appease rugby league administrators for an Origin game, as opposed to Eden Park, is doubtful. Lowe, who coached Queensland across consecutive Origin series in 1991 and '92, told RNZ both venues were worthy of consideration. "The stadium in Christchurch I think would be absolutely fantastic. The NRL might say there's not enough seats in there because they like the bigger stadiums for that kind of event. "There's always more than one way to skin a cat. I think the NRL make more revenue from Origin in Brisbane, than they do from the one in Sydney." As reported by The Courier Mail , Australian Rugby League Commission (ARL) chairman Peter V'landys said an "Anzac Origin" clash in 2027 would be timely, marking the 40th anniversary of the 1987 Origin match played in Long Beach, California. V'landys said a neutral venue for 2027 was yet to be confirmed. "Next year we're going to the MCG and then 2027 is available, so Origin in New Zealand is on our hit list," he said. Mitchell said he had spoken to Lowe about the idea. "We are a great destination for games and events and any proposal brought forward to host a State of Origin match here would be worked through the Major events team." The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has been approached for comment. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said she had not been part of talks, but the government was open to the possibility. "The government is always open to considering opportunities to host major events across sports and the arts from local and international organisers and will support them where appropriate," she said. "Any prospective events must meet the Major Events Fund criteria and deliver outcomes aligned to the Government's Major Event Strategy." As its imminent opening draws nearer, venue operators for Te Kaha have been toiling to secure events amid a highly competitive entertainment market. Te Kaha photographed in July. Photo: Christchurch City Council RNZ spoke to several locals in central Christchurch about what they were most looking forward to. Alongside big concerts, the Crusaders, Warriors and the long-awaited return of All Blacks tests to Christchurch were popular drawcards for the arena. Red-and-black clad Canterbury rugby fans would be catered for, with the Crusaders and the Canterbury NPC team the main anchor tenants once the arena opened. There could be less NPC games played at Te Kaha long-term, as the cash-strapped provincial competition explored more games in the regions, at smaller venues. There were also plans for Te Kaha to host a rebooted Super Rugby Super Round over Anzac weekend. For other codes, the Wellington Phoenix and Warriors were bringing one of their respective away games to Christchurch, with multi-year agreements ensuring both franchises would play at least one game at Te Kaha until 2027 and 2028 respectively. When asked if he felt his club was worthy of Te Kaha's first event, Warriors chief executive Cameron George said the honour should go to the Crusaders. "Out of respect, I think the Crusaders should be afforded that opportunity." Venues Otautahi chief exeuctive Caroline Harvie-Teare said the scrap for other events, including concerts, remained a big task. "We're obviously working on attracting other guaranteed and consistent content, which would be bringing other teams' away games here," she said. Photo: Christchurch City Council A total of five All Blacks tests have been played at Christchurch's makeshift Addington venue since the earthquakes, including two in the past decade . Although the bidding process for All Blacks tests remained competitive, Harvie-Teare expected "one to two" tests in Christchurch each year. "There's a desire to return the All Blacks to Christchurch, we've had a limited amount of games here. "I know New Zealand Rugby are excited about the venue and excited about them being back here in Canterbury." It is understood the All Blacks calendar for next year and 2027 is still being finalised. In a statement, New Zealand Rugby said it was "incredibly excited" about potentially returning tests to Christchurch with Te Kaha being considered. "Canterbury is a passionate rugby region, and we know fans are incredibly eager for international rugby to return." There have been multiple bids to set up a second New Zealand NRL club based out of Christchurch. At least three of the bids were rejected last year with new teams out of Perth and Papua New Guinea green-lit. Amid a geo-political backdrop, the Papua New Guinea proposal was bankrolled to the tune of $600m by the Australian government. Lowe, who was leading one of the South Island bids, said nothing more could have been done to make their proposal more compelling. "It's basically on hold at the moment. "We're super confident, totally confident. "[The NRL is] still 100 percent commited to having another team out of New Zealand. It's just obvious that Christchurch is the place." A separate bid led by former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott previously forecast an annual boost of $50m for the city if an NRL club was founded. A strength in numbers approach appeared to be off the table with no plans for the consortiums to unite. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I used to bring donuts to work - I lost 4 stone after ditching them for tea'
NHS says almost a million people have started its app-based coaching scheme with free Fitbit-style activity monitors which cuts risk of Type 2 diabetes by a third The NHS is calling on around six million overweight people to consider a scheme to help prevent Type 2 diabetes. Almost a million at-risk people have now joined its app-based coaching scheme which comes with free Fitbit-style activity monitors and has been shown to cut diabetes risk by over a third. One of them is 59-year-old Graham Lowe who joined the nine-month 'Healthier You Programme' and lost four stone after ditching donuts for green tea. NHS England says a record 166,360 people signed up last year to get personalised support, either face to face or digitally on changing ingrained eating habits and finding ways to get physically active. Graham, of Four Oaks, near Birmingham, signed up after paramedics were called when he had pains down his right side just over a year ago. While Graham was found not to have had a stroke, tests did show he was 'prediabetic' with blood sugar levels on the cusp of developing Type 2. Graham said: 'My father has Type 2 diabetes so I've seen how challenging it can make life, and I didn't want to follow in those footsteps. After learning about being pre-diabetic from a blood test that my GP did for me, I took immediate action to prevent my condition from becoming full-blown diabetes. 'I started by joining the NHS Healthier You Programme that my GP had referred me to, attending the sessions and following the advice that made important changes to my diet and level of activity. Since joining, I've given up sweets and exercise regularly. Before I used to bring donuts to work, but now I drink green tea.' The new analysis also shows that more than 900,000 adults at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes have started the programme since it was launched in 2016. Some 6.3 million Brits are estimated to be living with prediabetes - also known as non-diabetic hyperglycemia - with higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. Combined with the 4.6 million people with diagnosed diabetes and the 1.3 million with undiagnosed diabetes, over 12 million people in the UK have either diabetes or prediabetes. Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributor to kidney failure, limb amputation, heart attack, nerve damage, stroke and many of the commonest types of cancer. Symptoms include feeling very tired, thirst, and urinating more than usual. Some 45% of those taking part in the programme are men – a much higher proportion than had traditionally agreed to attend NHS weight loss courses, thought to be due to the fact you can do it remotely. After completing the programme Graham's blood sugar level reduced from almost being at the diabetic range (48mmol/mol) and his blood pressure and cholesterol also significantly lowered. Graham, a father-of-three, said: 'I recommend that people – especially men since we may not go to the GP for a check up as often – visit your GP and get tested for diabetes if you're experiencing any of the symptoms like I did, like fatigue and increased thirst. Treat your body like your car and get an MOT regularly. You wouldn't skip on maintaining your car, so why do that with your health?' Research by Manchester University has found that completing the Healthier You Programme reduces someone's chance of developing Type 2 diabetes by 37%, and participants typically achieve an average weight loss of 3.3kg. What is the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme? People can self-register onto the NHS Healthier You Programme if they have been identified as being at 'high risk' of developing Type 2 diabetes from their blood sugars - or request a direct referral from their GP. Doctors will consider blood sugar levels as well as patients' lifestyle and genetic risk. The HbA1c - or glycated hemoglobin test - measures blood sugar levels during the previous few months and the thresholds are as follows: Normal - Below 42 mmol/mol (6.0%). Prediabetes - 42 to 47 mmol/mol (6.0 to 6.4%). Diabetes - 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or higher Also known as the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, it is available both as a face-to-face group service and as a digital service, via an app. When referred people can choose between the two. The programme offers wearable technologies that monitor levels of exercise and apps where users can access health coaches. As well as access to personalised support, such as access to health coaches, online 'peer support groups' are also an option to help set and monitor weight loss goals. Academic research has shown the programme cuts the chances of developing Type 2 diabetes and has prevented thousands of people from getting the condition. Click HERE for a list of providers near you. Dr Clare Hambling, NHS England Director for Diabetes, said: 'Type 2 Diabetes and obesity are both major public health challenges for this country, so it is great to see that this world-leading NHS initiative is preventing Type 2 diabetes and empowering hundreds of thousands of people across England to lead healthier lives. 'Having the opportunity to prevent this life-altering condition via the NHS is remarkable but it is also important that people are aware of their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The 'Know you risk' online tool is a quick and easy way of calculating your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes or you can always speak with your GP.' Click HERE to try the 'Know Your Risk' tool hosted by Diabetes UK. Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through lifestyle changes. Around nine out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2, and there are around two million people in England at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It is a complex health condition with multiple risk factors that include age, family history and ethnicity. However, living with obesity is the single greatest risk factor and accounts for 80-85% of someone's risk of developing the condition. Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: 'We know that prevention is better than treatment, and that tackling the root causes of type 2 diabetes, such as obesity and inactivity, is one of the keys to tackling cardiovascular-related illness. 'It is great to see so many people engaging in this successful programme, which is making a real difference in reducing an individual's type 2 diabetes risk through small everyday lifestyle changes. 'We know there is more to do, which is why we are continuing to restrict junk food advertising, limiting school children's access to fast food, and ensuring that industry is incentivised to cut sugar in soft drinks.' Examples of the Advice Given on the Programme Dietary Advice Balanced Calorie Intake: A healthy weight management approach involves eating a balanced diet with a focus on portion control and reducing overall calorie intake. Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Aim for at least 5 portions of a variety of fruits and vegetables daily. Choose Whole Grains: Prioritize wholegrain bread, rice, and pasta over refined versions. Include Protein in Meals: Ensure meals include protein sources like beans, pulses, fish, eggs, or meat. Healthy Fats: Choose unsaturated fats from olive oil, sunflower oil, and oily fish. Limit Added Sugars, Salt, and Saturated Fats: Reduce consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated fat. Lifestyle Modifications Physical Activity: Engage in regular physical activity for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming. Stress Management: Practice stress reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises. Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night, as sleep deprivation can contribute to weight gain. Support System: Involve friends, family, or support groups to help you stay motivated and on track.
