Latest news with #vanDyk
NZ Herald
11-08-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Silver Fern Irene van Dyk calls for open talks on menstruation in sports
Experienced sportswomen are calling for a shift in attitudes – breaking the bias and normalising discussions around menstruation in sport. In the first of a four-part series, Bonnie Jansen speaks with netball great Irene van Dyk on her silent struggle of competing while menstruating – hiding the reality and avoiding conversations. Irene van Dyk – one of New Zealand's greatest adopted athletes - still remembers the way she had to hide the cramps, the blood and shame. She was playing netball at the highest level – but she couldn't ask for a tampon. There was a time when she wouldn't even take the court when it was her time of the month. 'When I grew up, you wouldn't even play netball [when you had your period],' van Dyk told the Herald. 'You'd say 'I just started vomiting or I've got diarrhoea'. 'You would literally not play.' Two decades ago, playing elite sport while on your period wasn't just uncomfortable – it was taboo. Periods were whispered about, and athletes were forced to act like nothing was happening – because to acknowledge it might've made you seem weak. 'It was partly because you were bleeding, but also it was sometimes we wore short skirts or your dress was a light colour and anything could show. Van Dyk laughed in disbelief as she recalled the moment. 'Hell no!' she said when asked if she'd ever told her coach the real reason she couldn't play. 'You'd name anything but the fact that you had your period.' It wasn't until van Dyk was playing international netball for South Africa, in her 20s, when she struck up the confidence to play through her period. She felt she had matured and was more prepared to take the court while menstruating. 'I would still not mention it. I would still not tell anyone else I have my period.' It was then, during the era when van Dyk switched allegiances and played for New Zealand, that open discussions about menstruation became more accepted. 'There was one year where I can remember [playing for the Silver Ferns] ... It must have been preparing for the 2003 World Cup or 2006, Commonwealth Games, where our whole team's [menstruation cycle] was in sync.' Irene van Dyk sings the national anthem ahead of the 2007 World Netball Championships final. Photo / Photosport Van Dyk is referring to the phenomenon often called menstrual synchrony – otherwise known as herding. It's the idea that women who live together or spend a lot of time together may begin to have their menstrual cycles at the same time. Though the concept is not scientifically supported, it was popularised in the 1970s. 'We started laughing about it because we were like, 'holy s**t', we never would have talked about it – and now all of a sudden, our whole team is going through the same thing.' Van Dyk – who is Netball New Zealand's participation manager – said it's changed quite significantly when comparing when she played to how menstruation is addressed today. 'The fact that now they have managers and people that are around the courts [carrying sanitary products] ... we didn't have that.' She touted the national Netball Smart programme that educates players more on the balancing act. 'They've definitely done a lot of research into it, and they talk around the whole stigma around and how to prepare your body for when you compete and when you have your period and how it impacts on your body and your wellbeing. 'It's just incredible.' Van Dyk said Sport NZ's period product rollout in 2024 was a 'genius move.' The governing body launched a one-year research project placing free period products in 48 community sport clubs nationwide. Funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of the legacy programme for the Rugby, Football and Cricket World Cups hosted in Aotearoa in 2022 and 2023 – the project aimed to understand the impact of free period products on inclusivity for female players. Last year, 48 sports clubs across the country received free period products for 5895 athletes. Sport NZ's report said 45,000 pads and 44,200 tampons were distributed. Van Dyk said it would be 'fantastic' if netball could be included in the campaign in future – particularly given that women and girls dominate the sport. 'We are the main female sport and that's something we'll have to look into to make sure we support our players and encourage them and actually normalise [periods] and being able to talk about [periods] in that sense.' 'All female sports should be able to celebrate being a woman and having that ability to regardless of your period.' Sport New Zealand's priority populations manager, focusing on women and girls, Emma Evans, told the Herald, she doesn't want periods to be a barrier for athletes participating in sport and recreation. 'You have access to toilet paper, you have access to soap. You don't necessarily have access to period products,' Evans said. 'Period products shouldn't be a luxury, but sadly, that's how they're often seen. 'For me, a really fundamental part of this is 50% of the population requires period products. 'It's not a 'nice to have' – it's a necessity for health, for dignity, for wellbeing.' Though a huge success, Evans said the legacy campaign wouldn't continue as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funding was specifically for that legacy project in 2024. 'After we did this one-year research project, naturally, we had a lot of clubs, sports, regional sports trusts coming to us and saying, 'Hey, we want to be a part of this, what can we do?' 'Unfortunately, there was obviously a limited amount of money and it was linked to those three World Cups, but what we hope is that actually during this one year across these 48 clubs across the country, it gets people talking about this being an issue and this being a barrier. 'I think the research has done that.' Evans said various clubs and sports are having discussions about how they can continue building momentum in the space – without the financial support of the government. 'That's expanded to several regional sports trusts talking with their local council around actually 'what does collaboration look like in this space - how what might we work together' to break down this barrier that is still facing so many women and girls. 'While at this point there are no concrete partnerships that have come from those conversations, I think it's a very exciting step in the right direction.' Van Dyk said normalising period chat is important in sport. 'It happens to everyone, every woman, it happens to every female. '[We need to] reduce barriers for players when it happens on the day. Sometimes the younger ones don't realise [when their period arrives] - they don't follow the track as it goes' 'It just happens and having the ability to just go into the changing room or grabbing something out of the gear bag or having a manager there or someone that has product that you know – it would just be incredible. 'It would be really really helpful.' 'Life is expensive – for some people it is quite hard to prepare for those things. So, to have [sanitary items] on tap and to [player's] availability and then having the confidence to go to ask for it or just grab it – that would be a game changer.' Tuesday: Irene van Dyk on her silent struggle playing netball while menstruating, hiding the reality and avoiding conversations. Wednesday: Aimee Didierjean on the stigma in gymnastics, competing in tight uniforms while navigating pads and tampons, and how intense training led to her period arriving late. Thursday: Sailor Liv Mackay on navigating the challenges of being the sole female on her team and how she manages her period while spending long hours at sea. Friday: Ultra-marathon runner Shannon-Leigh Litt on embracing her flow and how she adapts her training to align with her cycle. Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She was named New Zealand's Best Up and Coming journalist in 2025. She's a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.
Vancouver Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Terrace-born Donny van Dyk is Vancouver's new city manager
The City of Vancouver has a new manager, just a week after former city manager Paul Mochrie announced he was stepping aside . According to a Postmedia News source, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim will announce on Thursday that current City of Delta general manager Donny van Dyk will step into the most important salaried job at city hall. Van Dyk, 40, was born and raised in Terrace and joined the City of Delta in September 2023, after a four-year stint as Penticton's city manager. Prior to that, he worked for Enbridge for five years, and before that was chief administrative officer for the District of New Hazelton in Northern B.C. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. According to , van Dyk is a chartered professional accountant who earned his Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Northern B.C., before doing a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Victoria. He held several senior roles in Enbridge in community and Indigenous relations, government affairs and finance. In Delta, van Dyk oversaw the implementation of a new official community plan, which had not been updated for 30 years, and the revitalization plan for Ladner Village that had been stalled for decades. When he was hired by the City of Delta, Mayor George Harvie said van Dyk 'brings a wealth of experience, energy and vision that aligns with Delta council's plan to grow our vibrant community. 'His charisma and passion for local government and responsible governance will make him an excellent fit at the City of Delta. His work and reputation at the City of Penticton has been remarkable and we are thrilled to have him join our city.' On July 22, Sim said that he and Mochrie had 'mutually agreed that it was the right time for a leadership change.' In 2023, Mochrie earned just under $390,000. dcarrigg@
The Citizen
22-06-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria's Operation Shanela: 297 arrested in major crime crackdown
Multi-disciplinary efforts involving police, other government departments, and community policing forums led to the arrest of nearly 300 individuals as part of ongoing initiatives to combat crime in Pretoria this weekend. A coalition of various crime-fighting organisations resulted in the apprehension of 297 suspects for a range of offences, including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, bribery, and rape, according to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk. Captain van Dyk stated that Saturday's Operation Shanela specifically targeted the Hercules and Pretoria West policing precincts. 'A roadblock with two tactical teams was deployed across the Hercules and Pretoria West areas, resulting in the detention of 33 undocumented foreign nationals, who are currently being processed by immigration authorities,' he explained. During the operation, 544 individuals and 291 vehicles were searched, leading to 14 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. 'Targeted patrols were conducted at 41 identified crime hotspots, resulting in further arrests and the issuance of fines. This included one person arrested for public drinking, interfering with police duties, and resisting arrest, as well as one suspect found in possession of three zip-lock bags containing crystal meth,' van Dyk added. Traffic enforcement units issued 19 AARTO infringement notices, totalling R13,500 in fines. Liquor compliance inspections were carried out at 12 establishments, resulting in the closure of seven for non-compliance. A total of 272,310 ml of alcohol and 17 cartons of illegal cigarettes were confiscated. The breakdown of other arrests included: – Gender-based violence-related offences: 1 – Murder: 1 – Attempted murder: 1 – Armed robbery: 4 – Kidnapping: 6 – Bribery: 2 – Rape: 8 The operation involved collaboration among various authorities, including SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, the Tshwane Metro Police Department, Gauteng Traffic Police, Gauteng Traffic Wardens, the Department of Correctional Services, the Department of Community Safety, and representatives from local Community Policing Forums. SAPS District Commissioner of Tshwane, Major-General Samuel Thine, expressed gratitude to all participating stakeholders for their ongoing cooperation and commitment to enhancing community safety. He emphasised that such disruptive crime-combatting operations will continue across Tshwane to maintain and restore law and order. To report suspicious activities, please contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS app. ALSO READ: Mozambican kidnapping kingpin shot, killed in police op Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- The Citizen
Three charged with attempted hijacking, robbery
A dramatic turn of events saw police arrest three suspects for attempted hijacking and possession of an illegal firearm in Cullinan on May 12. The incident occurred around 15:10. According to police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, a motorist was driving along the M10 when he was approached by armed suspects in an attempted hijacking. According to his statement, the victim pulled over to the side of the road when a white VW Jetta stopped in front of him. 'Three men exited the vehicle, one armed with a firearm and instructed him to get out of his car.' Van Dyk explained that before the suspects could proceed with their crime, they noticed a police vehicle approaching. He said the suspects panicked, ordered the victim to leave, and quickly fled back into their vehicle. 'The nearby police officers were immediately alerted and responded swiftly. They managed to intercept the suspects and apprehended all three,' van Dyk said. He said a police search of the suspects uncovered a firearm with eight rounds of bullets. He said the suspects were unable to provide a valid explanation for possession of the weapon. 'The suspects were arrested and charged with attempted hijacking as well as possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition,' said van Dyk. He added that further investigation is underway to determine if the suspects are linked to other criminal activities. The firearm will also be subjected to ballistic testing to establish if it has been used in previous crimes. Major-General Samuel Thine, District Commissioner of Tshwane, praised the officers involved for their swift response and commitment to ensuring community safety. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hype Malaysia
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
German DJ Paul van Dyk To Bring 'This World Is Ours' Tour To KL This Week
If you're looking for an excuse to party and dance your stress away, then we've got an event for you! Kuala Lumpur's nightlife reaches new heights as German DJ and record producer Paul van Dyk takes over Lane 23 this week, marking an exclusive stop on his 'This World Is Ours' album tour. A pioneer in electronic music, van Dyk has shaped the global trance scene for decades. Now, he brings his unmistakable sound to Lane 23, where music isn't just heard — it's experienced. Backed by Lane 23's state-of-the-art L-Acoustics system, his set promises an immersive journey into the heart of trance. The upcoming event will feature tracks from his latest album, including 'Back 2 The FVTR' and 'Stay', alongside reimagined classics such as 'For an Angel', a track that continues to shape dance floors around the world. In collaboration with Livescape Group, this event is more than just a stop on the tour—it's a rare opportunity to witness a pioneer at work in a venue built for epic music experiences. Details of the event are as follows: Paul van Dyk – 'This World Is Ours' Tour Date: 24th April 2025 (Thursday) 24th April 2025 (Thursday) Time: 11pm 11pm Venue: Lane 23, Kuala Lumpur Tickets for Paul van Dyk at Lane 23 are still available, with general admission priced at RM120. Groups can also take advantage of a Buy 5, Get 1 Free offer until the show date. Secure your tickets via Ticketmelon and Ticket2U. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your friends and have the best night of your life before the weekend starts! Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect from the DJ:
