Latest news with #MikeParsons
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Our biggest challenge': Facilities heads list of goals for NNSW football board
NORTHERN NSW Football (NNSWF) chairman Mike Parsons has confirmed that promotion-relegation in its premier competitions is here to stay, the return of a senior representative program is under consideration, and that the governing body plans to strengthen ties with the Newcastle Jets,. But Parson stressed the biggest challenge facing the board was the urgent need for improved infrastructure and facilities to accommodate booming player numbers. Parsons, who is based in Taree, was re-elected for a third term as chairman at the NNSWF AGM in Coffs Harbour on Saturday. There was one change to the board, with Stephen Sneddon elected ahead of incumbent deputy chair Mark Trenter. As well Parsons, Lauren Edwards was re-elected. "Stephen has an extensive background in football," Parsons said. "He is a B-licenced coach and has played at various levels for Weston and West Wallsend. He also has a strong business accumen and brings strategic value to the organisation. "Mark has been a valued contributor and the catalyst facilitator for promotion-relegation which the board introduced and has been successful. It is staying in place and will flow down the [football] pyramid as well." An extremely wet start to the season has put further stress on already inadequate facilities. In some cases, teams have gone five weeks without playing games. "We are the largest team particpant sport in the country with 1.9 million participants," Parsons said. "Our biggest challenge is to provide infratsructure and facilities that are suitable for our players. "I am a massive supporter of grassroots football. I acknowledge that pathways are important but 98 per cent of our players play, what I call, Saturday afternoon park football. "It's not always about winning premierships, it's about social inclusiveness and interaction and support at all levels. "Our game is growing exponentially and we need to bring infrasructure along for the ride to provide an enjoyable and better experience, in particular, for females and all-abilities. "The sport is under funded. We need to engage more diligently and closely with governments. We have recently appointed a full-time government relations manager, Gary Fisher, to represent our region. "We look forward to working with Football Australia and the other member federation states in gaining better access to our politicians and ensuring we are singing from the same hymn sheet." Trenter had been exploring the return of a senior representative program for NPL players. An NNSWF NPL side would potentiall play other NPL sides over a period at the end of the season. It would add to the new regional super league, which involves teams from the mid-north coast, north coast and northern inland. "We have discussed at board level the potential for representative games, whether it is against the Jets or other member federations," Parsons said. "It would allow scouts to eye talent that might not be seen otherwise and give the pathway an extra level. That would extend to our match officials as well." New Jets chief executive Tain Drinkwater said in an interview in the Newcastle Herald last week that the A-League club hoped to work closer with NNSWF for the betterment of both organisations. "I think there is an opportunity for us to partner closer," Drinkwater said. "NNSWF has a catchment of 100,000 registered players. Young kids want to play for the Jets. How do we use our brand with their reach, and the amazing work they do across the state? We are stronger together rather than working in our own patches." Parsons said he was "looking forward to strengthening that relationship" and would invite Drinkwater to a NNSWF board meeting. The Hunter has by far the most particpants of the seven member zones in NNSWF Sneddon is the sole board member from the region. "In the past, we have traditionally had a more Newcastle-centric board," parsons said. "I'm really proud that the board is representative across the entire footprint. "To have people on the ground in regional areas, who understand some of the difficulties of service delivery is a real benefit. The board has a vast and extensive skill set, which includes a love and level of support for the game." NORTHERN NSW Football (NNSWF) chairman Mike Parsons has confirmed that promotion-relegation in its premier competitions is here to stay, the return of a senior representative program is under consideration, and that the governing body plans to strengthen ties with the Newcastle Jets,. But Parson stressed the biggest challenge facing the board was the urgent need for improved infrastructure and facilities to accommodate booming player numbers. Parsons, who is based in Taree, was re-elected for a third term as chairman at the NNSWF AGM in Coffs Harbour on Saturday. There was one change to the board, with Stephen Sneddon elected ahead of incumbent deputy chair Mark Trenter. As well Parsons, Lauren Edwards was re-elected. "Stephen has an extensive background in football," Parsons said. "He is a B-licenced coach and has played at various levels for Weston and West Wallsend. He also has a strong business accumen and brings strategic value to the organisation. "Mark has been a valued contributor and the catalyst facilitator for promotion-relegation which the board introduced and has been successful. It is staying in place and will flow down the [football] pyramid as well." An extremely wet start to the season has put further stress on already inadequate facilities. In some cases, teams have gone five weeks without playing games. "We are the largest team particpant sport in the country with 1.9 million participants," Parsons said. "Our biggest challenge is to provide infratsructure and facilities that are suitable for our players. "I am a massive supporter of grassroots football. I acknowledge that pathways are important but 98 per cent of our players play, what I call, Saturday afternoon park football. "It's not always about winning premierships, it's about social inclusiveness and interaction and support at all levels. "Our game is growing exponentially and we need to bring infrasructure along for the ride to provide an enjoyable and better experience, in particular, for females and all-abilities. "The sport is under funded. We need to engage more diligently and closely with governments. We have recently appointed a full-time government relations manager, Gary Fisher, to represent our region. "We look forward to working with Football Australia and the other member federation states in gaining better access to our politicians and ensuring we are singing from the same hymn sheet." Trenter had been exploring the return of a senior representative program for NPL players. An NNSWF NPL side would potentiall play other NPL sides over a period at the end of the season. It would add to the new regional super league, which involves teams from the mid-north coast, north coast and northern inland. "We have discussed at board level the potential for representative games, whether it is against the Jets or other member federations," Parsons said. "It would allow scouts to eye talent that might not be seen otherwise and give the pathway an extra level. That would extend to our match officials as well." New Jets chief executive Tain Drinkwater said in an interview in the Newcastle Herald last week that the A-League club hoped to work closer with NNSWF for the betterment of both organisations. "I think there is an opportunity for us to partner closer," Drinkwater said. "NNSWF has a catchment of 100,000 registered players. Young kids want to play for the Jets. How do we use our brand with their reach, and the amazing work they do across the state? We are stronger together rather than working in our own patches." Parsons said he was "looking forward to strengthening that relationship" and would invite Drinkwater to a NNSWF board meeting. The Hunter has by far the most particpants of the seven member zones in NNSWF Sneddon is the sole board member from the region. "In the past, we have traditionally had a more Newcastle-centric board," parsons said. "I'm really proud that the board is representative across the entire footprint. "To have people on the ground in regional areas, who understand some of the difficulties of service delivery is a real benefit. The board has a vast and extensive skill set, which includes a love and level of support for the game." NORTHERN NSW Football (NNSWF) chairman Mike Parsons has confirmed that promotion-relegation in its premier competitions is here to stay, the return of a senior representative program is under consideration, and that the governing body plans to strengthen ties with the Newcastle Jets,. But Parson stressed the biggest challenge facing the board was the urgent need for improved infrastructure and facilities to accommodate booming player numbers. Parsons, who is based in Taree, was re-elected for a third term as chairman at the NNSWF AGM in Coffs Harbour on Saturday. There was one change to the board, with Stephen Sneddon elected ahead of incumbent deputy chair Mark Trenter. As well Parsons, Lauren Edwards was re-elected. "Stephen has an extensive background in football," Parsons said. "He is a B-licenced coach and has played at various levels for Weston and West Wallsend. He also has a strong business accumen and brings strategic value to the organisation. "Mark has been a valued contributor and the catalyst facilitator for promotion-relegation which the board introduced and has been successful. It is staying in place and will flow down the [football] pyramid as well." An extremely wet start to the season has put further stress on already inadequate facilities. In some cases, teams have gone five weeks without playing games. "We are the largest team particpant sport in the country with 1.9 million participants," Parsons said. "Our biggest challenge is to provide infratsructure and facilities that are suitable for our players. "I am a massive supporter of grassroots football. I acknowledge that pathways are important but 98 per cent of our players play, what I call, Saturday afternoon park football. "It's not always about winning premierships, it's about social inclusiveness and interaction and support at all levels. "Our game is growing exponentially and we need to bring infrasructure along for the ride to provide an enjoyable and better experience, in particular, for females and all-abilities. "The sport is under funded. We need to engage more diligently and closely with governments. We have recently appointed a full-time government relations manager, Gary Fisher, to represent our region. "We look forward to working with Football Australia and the other member federation states in gaining better access to our politicians and ensuring we are singing from the same hymn sheet." Trenter had been exploring the return of a senior representative program for NPL players. An NNSWF NPL side would potentiall play other NPL sides over a period at the end of the season. It would add to the new regional super league, which involves teams from the mid-north coast, north coast and northern inland. "We have discussed at board level the potential for representative games, whether it is against the Jets or other member federations," Parsons said. "It would allow scouts to eye talent that might not be seen otherwise and give the pathway an extra level. That would extend to our match officials as well." New Jets chief executive Tain Drinkwater said in an interview in the Newcastle Herald last week that the A-League club hoped to work closer with NNSWF for the betterment of both organisations. "I think there is an opportunity for us to partner closer," Drinkwater said. "NNSWF has a catchment of 100,000 registered players. Young kids want to play for the Jets. How do we use our brand with their reach, and the amazing work they do across the state? We are stronger together rather than working in our own patches." Parsons said he was "looking forward to strengthening that relationship" and would invite Drinkwater to a NNSWF board meeting. The Hunter has by far the most particpants of the seven member zones in NNSWF Sneddon is the sole board member from the region. "In the past, we have traditionally had a more Newcastle-centric board," parsons said. "I'm really proud that the board is representative across the entire footprint. "To have people on the ground in regional areas, who understand some of the difficulties of service delivery is a real benefit. The board has a vast and extensive skill set, which includes a love and level of support for the game." NORTHERN NSW Football (NNSWF) chairman Mike Parsons has confirmed that promotion-relegation in its premier competitions is here to stay, the return of a senior representative program is under consideration, and that the governing body plans to strengthen ties with the Newcastle Jets,. But Parson stressed the biggest challenge facing the board was the urgent need for improved infrastructure and facilities to accommodate booming player numbers. Parsons, who is based in Taree, was re-elected for a third term as chairman at the NNSWF AGM in Coffs Harbour on Saturday. There was one change to the board, with Stephen Sneddon elected ahead of incumbent deputy chair Mark Trenter. As well Parsons, Lauren Edwards was re-elected. "Stephen has an extensive background in football," Parsons said. "He is a B-licenced coach and has played at various levels for Weston and West Wallsend. He also has a strong business accumen and brings strategic value to the organisation. "Mark has been a valued contributor and the catalyst facilitator for promotion-relegation which the board introduced and has been successful. It is staying in place and will flow down the [football] pyramid as well." An extremely wet start to the season has put further stress on already inadequate facilities. In some cases, teams have gone five weeks without playing games. "We are the largest team particpant sport in the country with 1.9 million participants," Parsons said. "Our biggest challenge is to provide infratsructure and facilities that are suitable for our players. "I am a massive supporter of grassroots football. I acknowledge that pathways are important but 98 per cent of our players play, what I call, Saturday afternoon park football. "It's not always about winning premierships, it's about social inclusiveness and interaction and support at all levels. "Our game is growing exponentially and we need to bring infrasructure along for the ride to provide an enjoyable and better experience, in particular, for females and all-abilities. "The sport is under funded. We need to engage more diligently and closely with governments. We have recently appointed a full-time government relations manager, Gary Fisher, to represent our region. "We look forward to working with Football Australia and the other member federation states in gaining better access to our politicians and ensuring we are singing from the same hymn sheet." Trenter had been exploring the return of a senior representative program for NPL players. An NNSWF NPL side would potentiall play other NPL sides over a period at the end of the season. It would add to the new regional super league, which involves teams from the mid-north coast, north coast and northern inland. "We have discussed at board level the potential for representative games, whether it is against the Jets or other member federations," Parsons said. "It would allow scouts to eye talent that might not be seen otherwise and give the pathway an extra level. That would extend to our match officials as well." New Jets chief executive Tain Drinkwater said in an interview in the Newcastle Herald last week that the A-League club hoped to work closer with NNSWF for the betterment of both organisations. "I think there is an opportunity for us to partner closer," Drinkwater said. "NNSWF has a catchment of 100,000 registered players. Young kids want to play for the Jets. How do we use our brand with their reach, and the amazing work they do across the state? We are stronger together rather than working in our own patches." Parsons said he was "looking forward to strengthening that relationship" and would invite Drinkwater to a NNSWF board meeting. The Hunter has by far the most particpants of the seven member zones in NNSWF Sneddon is the sole board member from the region. "In the past, we have traditionally had a more Newcastle-centric board," parsons said. "I'm really proud that the board is representative across the entire footprint. "To have people on the ground in regional areas, who understand some of the difficulties of service delivery is a real benefit. The board has a vast and extensive skill set, which includes a love and level of support for the game."
National Geographic
21-03-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
Fish are spinning to death in the Florida Keys—again. Why is history repeating?
0:08 Now, fish are spinning again, though in smaller numbers and happening in a much smaller geographic area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). One question is whether these fish are experiencing new symptoms or if they're still suffering from last year's exposure. What's perplexing is that algae levels in the water are relatively low, unlike during the 2023-2024 event, says Matthews. Since December 2024, FWC has received 44 reports of fish exhibiting spinning behavior, adding to more than 500 related reports since December 2023. Among these new reports, 22 have involved sawfish, including six confirmed deaths, with another likely occurring on March 20, according to Matthews. 'There's a sawfish 200 yards from me on the shoreline right now that we've got a team taking blood from to figure out what's going on,' he said. 'It's so sad, these are amazing animals.' (Here's how scientists are trying to save the last sawfish stronghold.) What we know about the toxins Mike Parsons, a researcher from Florida Gulf Coast University, has been regularly sampling water for algae species suspected to be behind the toxins. One algae genus, Gambierdiscus, has been flagged as a possible toxin source, though the exact species hasn't been identified and doesn't match known species. To definitively link the Gambierdiscus species to the events, scientists are working to identify the chemical makeup of the toxin, or toxins, at play too. 'You can't see it in the water, so it's a lot harder for us to track it down,' Matthews says, meaning they need to collect samples when the fish are still actively spinning. Researchers have found Gambierdiscus algae on the gills of the fish, and water and fish tissue tests found evidence of neurotoxins. 'We just really want to connect that smoking gun,' says Matthews.
