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Friday, May 23, 2014
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It’s the genuine article - the is coming to Rotorua as part of a national tour around New Zealand, host country of the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015.
This very special ‘taonga’ (treasure) was delivered to Waitangi at dawn on Monday 5 May in the hands of the player named Oceania’s Footballer of the Century, Wynton Rufer.
This official ceremony marked the beginning of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Winner’s Trophy, lasting 25 days and visiting 60 locations from Waitangi to Invercargill; from schools to sports clubs and malls – all as part of the countdown to the world’s second largest male football event.
On Thursday, 29 May, the trophy will be on display at Neil Hunt Park in Rotorua, with attendees able to get up close to the silverware and enjoy the fun interactive activities from 8.00am to 12.00pm.
“We are excited that the trophy is on a nationwide tour allowing as many people to come and get a photo with one of the most prized possessions in world football. The event will be a lot of fun, with great interactive football activities, games and giveaways,” said Peter Arndell, CEO of WaiBOP Football.
“With tickets now on sale to the football community and official fans, it is really exciting to see how reasonable the ticket prices are. That makes it accessible for many people in our community to get a taste of what will be truly top-class sports entertainment,” said Arndell.
Waikato Stadium in Hamilton will host eight matches – including a quarter-final clash – in the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015.
Tickets are currently on sale for registered footballers and official fans for an exclusive two week window (become one at www.fifa.com/nz2015) and public sales begin on Monday 13 June in conjunction with the kickoff of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.
For more on the tournament, visit www.fifa.com/nz2015 and to follow the FIFA U-20 World Cup Winners Trophy Tour online check out www.facebook.com/u20worldcup2015
Thursday, May 15, 2014
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The Harcourt’s Outdoor Ice Rink is set to make a spectacular return to Rotorua’s Village Green for the third annual Fire & Ice Mid-Winter Festival, commencing late June.
Auckland-based Paradice Ice Skating is bringing their 28 X 17 metre ice rink to the city for the first time, from Thursday 26 June until Sunday 28 July.
Councillor Karen Hunt, Rotorua District Council’s portfolio lead for the Inner City Revitalisation Strategy says the outdoor ice rink has in just two years become an established and popular feature of the mid-winter events calendar.
“It supports the Rotorua 2030 vision by adding another dimension to our inner city offering, and providing unique entertainment that attracts locals and visitors to the area.
“The outdoor ice rink will be a great opportunity for families to have a day or night out on the ice together, and the chance to combine this experience with a visit to one of the many cafes and restaurants on Eat Streat and elsewhere throughout the city”.
Paradice Ice Skating general manager, Chris Blong, says they are utilising the world’s leading temporary ice rink technology to achieve a consistent quality ice surface, with 70 per cent of the rink area enclosed for protection from the elements.
“We’re excited about bringing our advanced ice system that grooms the ice regularly to provide a quality experience. The noticeable difference this makes to the ice is best described as the difference between driving on a gravel road versus a sealed road.
“We’re also bringing our ‘skate safe’ programme including safety tips, hand-outs, video and skating rules, to help create a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone. And three-sided skate frames will be available to help learner skaters with correct posture and balance,” said Mr Blong.
Mr Blong said his team was also working on a programme of ice rink events to complement the city’s Fire & Ice Festival, including ice sports demonstrations, regular games, DJs and entertainers on themed and special event nights.
The district council’s major events coordinator, Jason Cameron, says the Fire and Ice Mid-Winter Festival and Harcourt’s Outdoor Ice Rink will create a range of dynamic, quality events to suit every age group, from late June through to late July.
“Past experience shows it will attract people to Rotorua during the school holiday period in particular, while also encouraging our local community to come into the inner city area in what is otherwise the quieter winter time.
“We’re expecting around 15,000 people to use the ice rink during the festival,” said Mr Cameron.
The Harcourts Outdoor Ice Rink will be open from 12 noon to 10pm daily, and from 10 am to 10pm weekends and during the school holiday period. Entry will be $20 for adults and students, $15 for children 12 years and under, and $60 for a family pass (two adults and two children). Skate hire is included in the entry fee.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
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After a busy summer of events in and around Rotorua, the action continues this weekend with the 50th Anniversary of the Rotorua Marathon. At time of writing there are approaching 9,000 participants lining up for the marathon and associated events - making it the largest in the event’s history.
It promises to be an exciting weekend in the city with thousands of people making the trip to Rotorua for the ASICS Lifestyle and Sports Expo, commencing Friday and the main events.
For the first time at the Rotorua Marathon the Asics Expo will be extended to include a wide variety and array of products and services as well as a food hall, bar and outside food court.The expo will comprise all manner of sponsors products related to runners sports clothing, accessories, equipment and products as well as introducing for the first time, food products, lifestyle products and merchandise, health and beauty and non sports clothing.
Another first will be the outdoor mobile food court. Inside the Energy Events Centre will be a food hall with a wide variety of different food. You can buy a meal and drink (we will also have a bar area to help you relax or celebrate), sit down to eat and enjoy. Or why not fill your pantry with new and exciting food products.
Everyone is welcome to attend over the 2 day period with FREE entry.
If the marathon is not for you, you can opt ot participate in either the Half Marathon (21.1km), Quarter marathon (10.5km) or Fun Run (5.5km). There will also be a kids event (2.5km) on the Friday afternoon.
For more information visit the official Rotorua Marathon website by clicking here.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
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Local Paul Potts fans who are yet to purchase tickets to the British performer’s Rotorua concert are being urged to do so without delay as a theatre sell-out is expected.
The winner of 2007 ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ competition is in New Zealand for his ‘One Chance – Live in NZ’ tour, and will be performing at Rotorua’s Civic Theatre on Sunday [20 April].
Rotorua District Council’s Creative Communities Strategy lead, councillor Glenys Searancke, said organisers were expecting a full house, and with less than 100 tickets left to sell, she is urging local fans to get in now before it is too late. She said many out-of-towners were coming to Rotorua for the concert.
“Paul Potts is one of the world’s big names in popular classical music of recent years and he’ll be performing in the intimacy of our very own Civic Theatre. This provides a wonderful opportunity to see him up-close, and to hear classics like Puccini’s Nessun Dorma that’s become his signature piece since he became a worldwide sensation just seven years ago.
“His concert is going to be something very special. He’ll have orchestral accompaniment and will be joined on stage by a wonderful up-and-coming and talented New Zealand singing star, former Lockwood Aria winner Anna Hawkins,” said Mrs Searancke.
Tickets to the show are $98.20 and are available from Rotorua Convention Centre’s ticket outlet.
Potts’ fans also have the opportunity to enhance their concert experience with a pre-show ‘wine and dine’ option, with a three-course menu for an extra $52 per person.
View the dinner menu by clicking here
Thursday, February 13, 2014
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The 2nd Rotorua Bike Festival clicks into gear, tomorrow.
10 days of cycling event begins in the morning with Sport Bay of Plenty's Go by Bike.
It's a great way to start the festival with an invitation to get on bikes to get to work. There are checkpoints round the city with spot prizes and the chance to win a mountain bike.
Then a favourite event from the first festival returns in the evening.
The Redwoods Coast is on Nursery Hill and Long Mile Road. There's no pedaling, it's all about momentum with speeds up to 70kph recorded in 2013. It's a light-hearted and colourful event - but with a competitive edge.
Entry is gold coin only and all the money is going to a good cause.
"We'll be donating to the fund that pays for medical supplies at Mountain Bike Rotorua at Waipa," said Coast organiser, Dave Donaldson. "They're first responders if there are any problems out there and the fund was set up by Wendy Ardern and the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club last year."
The action continues in the weekend with a full programme of events covering all the bases of cycling.
Events on Saturday and Sunday range from the 2014 National Mountain Bike Championships, to BMX Rotorua's club meeting and Pump time trial, Bike Polo, Bike the Lake, XRACE, Frocks on Bikes and the New Zealand Home Loans Fun Family Ride.
"It really is cycling for everyone and a lot of events are run by enthusiastic volunteers," added Donaldson. "There are events for the competitive racers and the social weekend warriors right through to beginners and casual cyclists. That's the real beauty of our festival - and that continues into next week, as well."
It's not just good news for the riders.
"So many of these events are perfect and spectacular for spectators," continued Donaldson."There's even talk of heckler's corners to raise the noise levels on the cross-country and downhill courses at the National Champs, this weekend."
Events like OGO Dual Slalom, Yeah Boi Sick, Shweeb World Championships at Agroventures and the Skyline Sprint Warrior all offer great action for non-cyclists.
"One event we are all looking forward to is Bike Speedway on Monday evening," said Donaldson. "Last year, the final featured four of New Zealand's top mountain bikers including a Rotorua favourite, Garth Weinberg, the 2010 Singlespeed World Champion."
This year the Speedway venue is at Government Gardens with one of New Zealand's iconic buildings, the Museum and Art Gallery, as a back drop. The event is gold coin entry and all the money raised will go to the Waipa medical supplies fund.
"The Blue Baths are catering and there will be an outdoor bar, so it'll be a great event to ride, watch and socalise at," added Donaldson. "I'm looking forward to trying to get the tandem round the short srint course with Gaz Sullivan from NZO on the back."
The festival goes into a second year with its future secure.
"The support of the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Events & Venues Rotorua, Media Works Rotorua and the Rotorua Daily Post has given it a really solid foundation to build on," said Jeremy Christmas, from the Bike Festival Trust, on the eve of the Festival. "Dates are set for 2015 with the next festival starting on Friday, February 13."
Christmas is a UCI international commissaire and is currently in Belgium.
"I'll be back for the end of the festival and I'm looking forward to being home," he added. I've been watching the lead-up to the festival on the Facebook page and it's looking fantastic."
The 10-day Festival runs from Friday February 14 to Sunday February 23.
The full programme is on www.rotoruabikefestival.com
with regular updates at facebook.com/RotoruaBikeFestival
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
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“This is just getting silly now.”
That’s Kiwi endurance runner, Kerry Suter’s view on the star-studded field for the 2014 Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon on March 15.
Suter won the first two editions of the race in 2009 and 2010 and was referring to the announcement that Portuguese ultra star, Carlos Sa had signed up for this year’s event.
“Carlo is the reigning champion of the hellish Badwater Ultramarathon,” added Suter. “And that’s considered the world’s toughest foot race.”
At the Tarawera, Sa will join Suter in a line-up that includes the current World No. 1 ranked runner, Olympians, world record holders and more than 20 past and present national champions of several countries.
The 100 kilometre run from Rotorua to Kawerau is the brainchild of Paul Charteris, a local ultra runner himself. In its first year, the race attracted 67 people, only one of them from outside New Zealand.
For the sixth race over 850 runners from 28 countries will line up at the start among the giant Redwoods of Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest.
“It means the Tarawera Ultramarathon will feature possibly the deepest field ever assembled for an endurance event in New Zealand,” said Charteris, as the countdown to race day hits 4 weeks to go.
It’s an audacious claim for what is often considered a niche sport in New Zealand. However, the list of entries is the who’s who of the international endurance running community.
Carlos Sa will face current world #1 Rob Krar from Canada and Sage Canaday from USA, the defending Tarawera champion.
They’ll line up against Mike Wardian and Michael Aish (USA), Martin Gaffuri and Stephan Quentin (France), Manuel Lago (Brazil), Yun Yanqiao (China), Japanese phenomenon Yoshikazu Hara and Australia’s best ultra runner, Brendan Davies.
The top Kiwis include Vajin Armstrong, Marty Lukes and Scott Hawker.
In the women’s field, New Zealand’s Ruby Muir is the defending champion.
She’ll face intense competition from Australia’s Beth Cardelli and Shona Stephenson, the USA’s Meghan Arbogast and Tomoko Hara from Japan.
Many of the top international runners are capable of sub 2:30 marathons and have Facebook fan pages with 30,000 or more followers. And the top 20 runners in the field have won several hundred races between them.
“So it’s fair to say that the absolute elite of world trail ultra running is coming to Rotorua,” added Charteris.
Trail ultras are very popular in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong and the United States, where top athletes are treated like rock stars. Events attract massive audiences and this has captured the attention of corporate sponsors.
“They are pumping serious money into the sport, to keep up with its potential,” said Charteris.
The evolution of the Tarawera Ultra reflects the growth of the sport both in New Zealand and internationally.
And the increasing status of the event and quality of the trails in New Zealand was officially recognised in 2013. The Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon is now part of the Ultra Trail World Tour.
This 10-race grand slam of ultramarathons includes some of the very best endurance races round the world.
On March 15, all eyes will be on New Zealand. As well as enhancing the countries reputation as a superb destination for trail running, the Tarawera Ultra event will also inject over $1 million into the local economy.
The race will start in Rotorua just before dawn and finishes 100km away in Kawerau.
“However, we do have 85 and 60km options for the slightly less bonkers,” Charteris added.
Visit the website for more information www.taraweraultra.co.nz
At a glance:
- In 2014 the Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon in Rotorua will have the biggest field of international athletes for any endurance event ever seen in New Zealand.
- The event started five years ago with 67 entrants (only one from overseas) and has grown to 850 runners from 28 countries, this year.
- The Tarawera Ultra has been included in the inaugural Ultra-Trail World Tour, a 10-race grand slam of ultramarathons worldwide.
- The Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon is expected to bring around $1 million into the local economy.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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There is homegrown talent with world titles to their names lining up at the Rotorua Bike Festival in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, starting on Friday February 14.
The youngest is Sacha Earnest from Auckland who won the 7-year old category at the UCI BMX World Championships in her hometown in 2013.
Sacha will race in the BMX Rotorua Club meet on Saturday February 15, during the opening weekend of the festival. She'll be joined by her brother, Jake, who is the 5th ranked 8-year-old BMXer in the world.
They don’t just ride BMX bikes. Along with Mum and Dad, Dion and Anna, they’re regulars on Rotorua’s renowned Whakarewarewa mountain bike trails
On Friday, February 20 the whole family will compete in the Skyline Sprint Warrior.
This is a gondola-accessed race on a tricky downhill course on Mount Ngongotaha.
“Sacha and Jake may be little kids on little bikes, but from what we’ve seen they’ve got talent and skill to burn,” said Sprint Warrior organiser, Tak Mutu. “We think they might just give some of the grown-ups a tune-up.”
The opening weekend of the festival is headlined by the New Zealand National Mountain Bike Championships.
The cross country will feature Canterbury’s Anton Cooper, who won the Junior men's cross-country title at the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Austria. Anton will defend his New Zealand title in the Cross County on Saturday February 15.
The next day, Brook McDonald will defend his national downhill title on the dramatic and demanding Taniwha trail. The popular rider from Hawke’s Bay is known as The Bulldog and won the Junior Men's World title at the UCI Mountain Bike Worlds in Canberra in 2009.
Another popular Kiwi rider, Cameron Cole from Christchurch, returns to competition in the downhill, after a big crash last year. Cole won the Junior Men’s Downhill title in front of a raucous home crowd when Rotorua hosted the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 2006.
"Rotorua has always been good to me and I rode there a lot when I lived in
Hamilton and I won the junior world title there,” said Cole. “I love that downhill course and always look forward to going back to Rotorua and those tracks.”
Garth Weinberg is another local who won a world title in front of cheering home crowds.
He is a Rotorua legend and a master of the one-geared mountain bike. He won the Singlespeed World Championships title and tattoo when Rotorua hosted the event in 2010.
Weinberg will compete in the National Mountain Bike Championships.
“Garth will surprise a few people on geared bikes like he always does,” said Dave Donaldson, from the Bike Festival Trust. “He’s a great competitor and entered a whole range of festival events, last year, from Bike Speedway to MTB Adventure Quest and he also won the Shweeb World Championships.”
The Shweeb is a pedal-powered pod slung under a monorail. It’s unique to Rotorua and so are the world champs.
The oldest world champion at the Festival is another Rotorua local who won his title in one of the toughest events on the international mountain bike calendar.
John White is the reigning WEMBO 24 hour solo world champion in the 60 year-old plus category after taking the title in Canberra last year and will ride in the National Cross-Country Championships.
“Like Garth, John will give a few younger riders a fright,” said Donaldson. “Much younger.”
The festival team are pleased with the age range of riders involved in different events.
“We’ve talked about it being for cyclists from 6 to 70 and we’re not far off the mark,” added Donaldson
“Not only in competitive events like the Nationals but also people getting on their bikes and enjoying themselves.”
The number of events over 10 days is also proving popular.
“A lot of riders are coming into town for the opening weekend, then staying on,” continued Donaldson. “For the serious riders there will be the chance to let their hair down at more light-hearted events like Redwoods Coast, Speedway and the Yeah Boi Sick race before getting their race faces back on for the OGO Dual Slalom, Sprint Warrior and Giant 2W Gravity Enduro at the end of the week.”
The 10-day Festival runs from Friday February 14 to Sunday February 23.
The full programme is on www.rotoruabikefestival.com
with regular updates at facebook.com/RotoruaBikeFestival
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
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Back-to-back Super Rugby champions, Waikato/Bay of Plenty Chiefs, return to Rotorua next month to take on Auckland Blues.
The two teams will play at our International Stadium on 14 February at 6pm.
RDC Events & Venues General Manager, Peter McLeod, said it will be the first time the Chiefs have played in Rotorua since they became Super Rugby champions in 2012.
"We’re sure local supporters will welcome the opportunity to see the very best in action. It will be both teams’ final hit-outs, just a week before their season openers. So fans can be assured that both sides will be fielding their top line-up.
"It will provide a chance to see the Blues’ new high profile recruit, former NRL star and Kiwi captain Benji Marshall, at play."
Tickets are on sale from The Warehouse outlets throughout Chiefs’ country, Rotorua Convention Centre, online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz or by calling 0800 4 CHIEFS. Tickets will also be available at the gate on game day from 5pm.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
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Hello everyone
With Sevens Rugby becoming an Olympic event and participation rates exploding around the globe BOP Rugby is proud to be hosting the Bayleys National Sevens Tournament 2014 at Rotorua International Stadium.
As an essential part of the delivery of this event we are now seeking expressions of interest from keen and able volunteers in the community to be involved to help ensure that this event is a success.
It is not a large commitment but appreciate it is in the holiday period. We are after people for the following roles for a shift approximately from 11 am - 8.00 pm on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12th January (please note some roles may require a little time on the Friday 10th)
All volunteers will receive training and support for their roles and also light refreshments during their shift. In addition to the weekend we will also be hosting a short meeting in the week leading into the event to finalise details and hand out any other information etc in preparation for the weekend.
I am looking after all the non-rugby specific volunteers (i.e. those in the wider stadium off the field) in the lead up and during the weekend so please if you have any further queries or you would like to register your interest to put your hand up and volunteer I would love to hear from you.
If you can please let me know by Wednesday 18th December that would be terrific.
Kind regards
Megan
Megan Cleverley | Sport Manager
P 07 578 0016 ex 837 | M 027 461 7219 | E meganc@sportbop.co.nz
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
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Ibis Bike The Lake is a familiar part of the Spring events calendar in Rotorua. Now, it has a ‘Summer Edition’.
Event organizer, Shane Hooks, says being part of the Bike Festival was a sharp move.
"The weather in February is normally always settled and, with such a beautiful cycle challenge, the decision to join the Festival was a logical one".
Bike the Lake, on Sunday, February 16, will be part of a big opening weekend of the 10-day Festival. It's an event with a 10-year history and a wide and varied support base - from elite cyclists to grandparents showing their families how it's done. The chance to cirumnavigate the lake and achievable distances are a big drawcard.
Recreational and competitive road cyclists will be able to enjoy either one or two laps around Lake Rotorua with distances of 42 or 84 kilometres. “We’re also trying to add value to cycle challenges like this,” continues Hooks. "The price of these events has increased substantially over the years. This year, anyone who registers before January 1, pays only $48. On top of that, the first 250 registrations receive a finisher medal and a "chopper" T-shirt. This makes Bike The Lake the best value cycle challenge in New Zealand".
Another exciting road event will wrap up the festival on Sunday February 23 when the Inner City Street Criterium brings bike racing right into downtown Rotorua.
“This was really successful at the first Festival in February, this year,” says Jeremy Christmas from the Rotorua Bike Festival Trust, a group of passionate local cycling enthusiasts overseeing the event. “It’s an important part of bringing the Festival to the general community and getting people on their bikes.”
With just over two months to go till the opening day of the Festival on Friday February 14, entry to some of the key events is already open.
Some of Whakarewarewa Forest’s 130 kilometres of world-class mountain bike trails will get a good workout from the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro on Saturday February 22. This is a multi-stage event perfect for experienced trail riders.
It’s a fine blend of endurance and technical skills where weekend warriors can rub shoulders with star riders. One of New Zealand's most successful cross-county mountain bikers, Olympian and Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Rosara Joseph, won the women’s category at the Gravity Enduro at the first festival.
The evening before (Friday February 21) will feature the Sprint Warrior on the other side of Lake Rotorua at Skyline Skyrides on Mount Ngongotaha.
This is downhill mountain biking at it’s best with gondola access to the start line. It was a favourite with riders and a big spectator crowd at the first festival. Entrants ranged from local mountain bikers, having a go, to world-class pros like Kiwis, Sam Blenkinsop and Wyn Masters and two-time Elite Women’s Downhill World Champion, Emmeline Ragot and her French teammate, Loic Bruni. It's the only gondola-accessed trail in the North Island and the Warrior adds an extra practise day on Thursday February 20.
The venue was where Rotorua hosted the 2006 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials Championships. This was the event that first shone the international spotlight on the city as a mountain bike destination.
Jeremy Christmas is a UCI international commissaire and regularly attends major cycling events, round the world. “I’m biased, of course, because I live here, but the 2006 Worlds was one of the best,” he says. “It really proved how well we run big events in Rotorua and the Festival is doing the same.”
The Festival programme features a full range of cycling events - road, mountain bike and BMX, with almost everything in between.
“There are events for everyone and just about all ages,” adds Christmas. “It’s an important part of what makes a successful festival tick.”
The full Festival programme is on the website and there are daily updates on www.facebook.com/RotoruaBikeFestival
