Latest news with #Wyllie
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Game shooting in ‘right direction'
Southern Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn (left) puts up her shot as Central Pulse defender Parris Mason, Steel shooter Georgia Heffernan and Pulse defender Kelly Jackson watch on under the hoop in Invercargill. PHOTO: MICHAEL BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY Netball New Zealand chief executive Jennie Wyllie believes things are heading in the right direction for the sport. She confirmed last week the ANZ Premiership, facing an uncertain future due to a new broadcast deal, would return next year with all six teams involved and was likely to be played during the same time frame as this season. The 2025 season has hit the ground running and Wyllie said broadcast ratings were up 40% and the community game was "thriving". "What we're seeing is Kiwis are loving it," Wyllie told the Otago Daily Times. "It's all pointing in the right direction for netball." The ANZ Premiership has been slashed from three rounds to two this season — which means teams get only 10 games before the playoffs — and there have been innovations including the two-point shot, timeouts and a coaches box. Wyllie said there had been some "heart-stopping moments" through the opening games, and while she conceded two rounds did not make a long season, she was pleased all teams hit the court strongly. Like many traditional netballers, Wyllie admitted she had reservations about introducing the two-point shot, but felt it had its place. "It's going down well. The players are enjoying it," she said. "Sometimes you could have been a minute to go, three goals down and thought the game was done — that is no longer the case. "I think those kind of things have been really interesting talking points and great to be able to see it come to life as we envisaged it when we were planning." The tactical nature of timeouts, and when coaches used their coaches box to deliver messages during the game, intrigued her the most. "What I've loved is the strategic nature of what I'm hearing from the coaches box, when they're using their timeouts and when they're talking with their players. "We've got three new coaches in the mix this year and it's brought a really different dynamic. "I'm really impressed with how they're all being quite strategic. "I think that for me as a netty is really exciting." Aside from their blip against the Central Pulse at the weekend, the Southern Steel have been tracking well this season. They recorded a massive win over the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and were pipped by one point against the defending champions, the Northern Mystics. Even Wyllie thought the Steel had secured a win over the Mystics — "I was screaming at the TV that there was time" — but she was proud to see how they were bouncing back after a tough couple of years. "I think it's amazing resilience and to see a team that have had a tough few years, injury plagues, with a fresh new coach in there, they've been formidable." The ANZ Premiership reaches the halfway point this weekend. The Mainland Tactix hold top spot with three wins and one loss. The Pulse and the Mystics, who are awaiting results on Australian Diamond Donnell Wallam's wrist injury, round out the top three. The Steel sit fourth with one win and three losses, followed by the Magic — who picked up their first win on Monday — and the Northern Stars. In round five, the Steel are home to the Tactix, the Pulse meet the Mystics and in a repeat of this week's game, the Stars play the Magic.
Otago Daily Times
01-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NNZ finally confirms premiership will go ahead next year
After weeks of uncertainty, Netball New Zealand has confirmed the ANZ Premiership will return in 2026. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the competition is locked in for next season and logistics were still being explored. But she did confirm all six franchises would return and the competition was likely to be during a similar time frame — from May to July — due to the Commonwealth Games. Wyllie was pleased to affirm the competition's status. "It's been really important for us to give that sort of certainty to our system," Wyllie said. NNZ was "still working through a whole bunch of things" but with the announcement was "able to at least give that comfort so that we can all move on and really focus on the product we're delivering this year" Signing a broadcast deal — which was scaled back for the 2025 season leading NNZ to produce the Saturday games in-house — was not far away either. "We're still working on what the optimum broadcast scenario is for the sport. There's lots of moving parts in that. "It's something that we are not too far off being able to finalise, but we've just got to make sure that we explore all of those options thoroughly." All options for the future of domestic netball, including returning to a three-round ANZ Premiership, moving the competition's timeframe to allow players to compete in Australia and joining Australia's Super Netball, are being considered. But they could not be put in action until 2027, Wyllie said. "We're considering all of the options of what our future product might look like. "But [2027] gives us enough time to plan it, [get] some really good insight from the market, engage with the players, and the fans, to make sure that whatever changes, or considerations, that we have on the table are well thought through." Several players have expressed their concerns for their future with the uncertainty of the ANZ Premiership. Asked if she felt there had been enough communication, Wyllie said NNZ worked closely with the New Zealand Players Association, which had been informed "the entire way through our discussions". "They will be sharing, as appropriate, with the athletes, and to be able to give them clarity around the future." Southern Steel coach Wendy Frew said it had been an unsettling time for players, but they were focused on the season ahead. "To be honest, we haven't talked about it a lot," Frew said. "It is unsettling, but at the moment we're just focusing on the opposition and what we can control. "Next year, at the moment, we can't control. We're just trying to put our best foot forward for the season. "This netball competition's the best one in the world. We need it to keep going, so we're grateful that we're playing in it and we're just hopeful that it continues." Having reduced games had made it tough this season. "You pretty much could lose six games and you're not in playoff contention. "It's been hard to fit everything in the preseason, but every team's in the same boat, so you've just got to adapt as well as you can and just try put it all out there." Frew said she did not mind whether New Zealand joined the Australia domestically again, but hoped "this league stays alive". "It's a fantastic competition. "Whether it be the New Zealand domestic comp or we join the Aussies — I mean, I loved playing the Aussies — but whatever's best for the game in New Zealand. "Whatever's going to keep growing the sport and keeping those young girls, and boys, coming through and playing the game."
NZ Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Silver Ferns skipper criticises test eligibility criteria, calls for Grace Nweke exception
The 34-year-old told Newstalk ZB she will never meet the requirements, and will have to choose when to cut ties for an opportunity abroad. 'Reaching 100 is impossible for me. I won't reach 100 if I look to still play over in Suncorp [Super Netball]. The eligibility is quite tough because we have only got a handful of centurions. 'If we stick with that eligibility criteria, there would've only been a couple of people who would've been able to actually go and play [abroad]. Who knows if that needs to be revisited?' Nweke put up 54 goals to help the top of the table Swifts to their fourth victory of the season over former Stars coach Kiri Wills' Firebirds on Sunday. Ekenasio said Nweke's presence is vital for the Ferns. 'Grace is a one-of-a-kind type of player. Purely as a player, I'd love to see her playing because she's an asset to our team, massively. I love playing with her. I'll be eagerly awaiting whenever that decision is locked in.' Nweke has been vocal about her desire to still represent the Ferns, telling the Inside Netball podcast she is still holding out hope of playing tests in 2025. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said at the ANZ Premiership launch there is no update on the board's plan to review the selection policy, but it is 'on the agenda'. Wyllie last month said they are aware of Nweke's comments and the board will examine the criteria. 'They are continually reviewing and revising their views on it, so that's certainly something for our board to discuss.' Wyllie said she will stand by the board's decision. 'But I am encouraging them to make sure we continue to show flexibility and review these policies as they are needed.' Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has also expressed her desire for Nweke to receive an exemption. The 23-year-old has been retained in the national side's leadership group and Taurua is in regular contact with her. New Zealand will play South Africa in three home tests in the Taini Jamison Trophy series in September. The Ferns will then attempt to defend the Constellation Cup against the Australia Diamonds across four tests, two either side of the Tasman.
Epoch Times
02-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Rethinking BMI: Scientists Propose Body Fat Percentage as a Replacement
Scientists have pinpointed the critical thresholds at which body fat becomes hazardous—30 percent for men and 42 percent for women—providing a more precise and reliable measure than body mass index (BMI) for evaluating obesity-related health risks. A recent Health risks for men start at 30 percent body fat, while women show no signs of metabolic syndrome at this level. Men who are considered 'overweight' by BMI standards generally have a body fat percentage of 25 percent. Overweight men make up about 5 percent of men with metabolic syndrome. None of the men with less than 18 percent body fat had metabolic syndrome. Women who are overweight by BMI standards have around 36 percent body fat, and those who are obese by BMI standards have 42 percent body fat. BMI Has Significant Limitations These findings challenge decades of reliance on BMI, which cannot account for muscle mass, bone density, body composition, and fat distribution. Related Stories 1/24/2025 7/3/2023 BMI simply looks at the overall weight relative to height, which means people with very different bodies can end up with similar BMI scores, said Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a UK-registered doctor and part of the clinical team at Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA, in an interview with The Epoch Times. A bodybuilder may have a high BMI but low body fat, while an older adult could have high body fat and still fall within a normal BMI range, she added. The research highlights significant discrepancies between BMI and body fat measurements. While BMI categorizes people as overweight at over 25 and obese at over 30, these thresholds don't fully capture health risks. Some people with 'BMI doesn't provide any information about the distribution of fat, which is important as high levels of abdominal fat are associated with an increased risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease,' Wyllie said, adding that it also fails to reflect differences in metabolism or fitness. 'Two people with the same BMI may have different levels of fitness and overall health. It's essential to consider other factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar control, and lifestyle to gain a clearer picture.' By shifting to body fat percentage measurements, health care providers could gain a more accurate insight into health risks linked to body fat. Body Fat Percentage Allows More Targeted Interventions According to Emily Feivor, a registered dietitian at Northwell Health in New York, body fat percentage can be measured in a few ways. These methods include using skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance analysis, which utilizes a small electrical current, and underwater weighing—also called hydrostatic weighing—which measures body density to estimate body fat. The researchers argue that adopting body fat percentage as a standard measurement could lead to better-targeted health interventions, allowing for more personalized care plans. As dietitians, body fat percentage gives us a chance to better educate patients on how their eating habits influence body composition, Feivor said. 'The more we know about their body composition, the more accurately dietitians can better calculate energy and nutrient needs.' The researchers concluded that 'obesity-related diseases may be more effectively managed by moving away from anthropometric estimations of adiposity to direct measurement of the fat component.' Direct measurement provides a more accurate picture of adiposity and fat distribution, which are key factors in predicting disease risk and guiding treatment.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Woman ‘contracts incurable disease' at karaoke bar after ‘holding microphone too close to her face'
A KARAOKE session turned into a night to forget for a reveller who claims to have contracted herpes while singing. The woman from Zhejiang, China, believes to have caught the virus after getting too close to the mic. 2 There is no cure for herpes - it remains in the body for life Credit: Getty She said she noticed blisters forming around her lips after the night out. Although they were 'extremely swollen, painful, and itchy', she didn't think too much of them as they subsided after taking medication. However, the blisters resurfaced again which is how she eventually found out she had herpes. She's certain to have contracted the virus from the microphone at the karaoke bar and decided to share her experience to warn others. Read more on herpes In a post on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, the unnamed woman said: '[I have to] carry this virus for life. There is no medication available to treat it. There is only medication to relieve the pain but the symptoms are recurring.' She added the blisters have resurfaced repeatedly around her mouth and nose since the infamous night out in 2017 - and started appearing on her cheek this year. The woman didn't reveal what type of herpes she caught but there are two main types. HSV-1 is the kind that causes cold sores while HSV-2 typically causes Most read in Health There is no cure for either virus as once caught, they remain in the body for life. Dr Crystal Wyllie at Double dipping really CAN give you nasty bugs - including norovirus and herpes She explained: "For someone to catch oral herpes from a microphone, someone with an active cold sore would have to speak or sing very closely to the microphone – leaving saliva or virus on the surface – and someone would then have to press the same contaminated area of the mic firmly against their lips. "This also assumes the virus has survived outside of the body (on the microphone which is extremely uncommon for HSV – the virus responsible for cold sores)." While the risk of catching herpes from a microphone is extremely unlikely, Dr Wyllie said if there is concern that someone with an active cold sore has used the microphone previously, you could avoid using it or wipe the microphone before use. She added: "The most common way to catch oral herpes is direct skin-to-skin contact with someone with an active cold sore (or during their shedding phase which usually comes one to two days before before blisters show)." According to recent figures, it's estimated around 70 per cent of the UK population carries the herpes simplex virus. HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, or cold sores, while HSV-2 usually causes However, both types can infect either the mouth or genitals. The most common symptom of HSV-1 is a cold sore, a painful blister that appears on the lips, around the mouth, or inside the mouth. Other symptoms can include tingling, itching, or burning sensations before the blisters appear, as well as fever, HSV-2 can manifest with a range of symptoms, from no noticeable symptoms to recurring outbreaks of painful blisters and sores. Initial outbreaks often involve flu-like symptoms while recurring outbreaks tend to be less severe and shorter. The best way to avoid HSV-1 is to avoid close contact with people who have active outbreaks, especially kissing or oral sex, and to practice good hygiene. This includes avoiding sharing items like utensils, cups, and towels, and washing hands frequently, especially after touching a cold sore. The most effective way to avoid HSV-2 is to practice safer sex, including consistently using condoms during all sexual activity, and avoiding sexual contact when symptoms like sores or outbreaks are present. Reducing the number of sexual partners and getting tested for STIs also helps. 2 The woman claims to have caught herpes from the microphone at a karaoke bar Credit: Getty Can herpes be treated? WHILE there is no cure for herpes, treatment can help manage symptoms. Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, can help reduce the duration and severity of outbreaks. Other treatments may include pain relief medications and topical creams to soothe the sores. The NHS also recommends things you can do at home to manage cold sores and genital herpes. Cold sores avoid anything that triggers your cold sores, such as sunbeds use sunblock lip balm (SPF 15 or above) if you're outside in the sun take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain and swelling (liquid paracetamol is available for children) – do not give aspirin to children under 16 drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration Genital herpes keep the area clean using plain or salt water to prevent blisters becoming infected apply an ice pack wrapped in a flannel to soothe pain apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or painkilling cream (such as 5 per cent lidocaine) to reduce pain when you pee wash your hands before and after applying cream or jelly pee while pouring water over your genitals to ease the pain
