Category Archives: AFTNews

AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Rhythm & Movement

Desert Song Festival

The countdown to opening night gains pace with the 10th Anniversary Premium Content Series launched on August 9, 2023.

Six programs of Desert Song Festival performances by a global family of exceptional artists will be featured in August, September, October and December 2023, and in February 2024, via a dedicated platform: https://www.desertsongdigital.com/#/home. 

THE FIRST PROGRAM, DISCOVERING DSF – August 2023, IS FREE! and will also be available on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/DesertSongFestival. Check it out and get in the mood for the 10th Anniversary festival. The other five are available at $20 for individual netcasts or $80 for the entire subscription. Details of broadcast dates will be published after Program #1 becomes available. 

AUGUST 2023: MAIN ATTRACTION SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR
 
“A stunning performance that’s uplifting, energising, and life-affirming” – Scenestr
 
“Uplifting harmonies that fill your soul” – Play and Go Adelaide
 
This musical powerhouse has been spreading sheer joy to audiences across the globe for nearly two decades with their powerful blend of African Gospel, Freedom Songs, and international classics.
 

 
Since their first visit in 2011, Alice Springs has become one of their favourite destinations. They are returning – for their fifth visit for the 10th anniversary of the Desert Song Festival to present their brand-new concert HOPE at two sessions on Saturday 16th September at the Araluen Arts Centre @ 3pm and 7.30pm. In the past, these concerts have been fully sold out, so the organisers urge enthusiasts to book their tickets as soon as possible for one of the iconic entertainment events of the year Central Australia: https://www.desertsong.com.au/soweto-gospel-choir-3/
 
HOPE celebrates songs and anthems from the Freedom Movement of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, and the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King’s America. HOPE is a concert that will sing forever in your hearts! In these concerts, the Soweto Gospel will collaborate with the NIMA award-winning Central Australian Aboriginal Women’s Choir with whom they have developed a close relationship since first meeting these songwomen in 2011.
 
Book tickets to the Desert Song Festival here.

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AFTNews, AFTNews

TaiSPO 2024: Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Sports and Fitness Industries

– Advertorial –

Sports and Fitness Taiwan, also known as TaiSPO, is being organised by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and is scheduled to take place at Hall 2 of Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from March 6 to 9, 2024. This highly anticipated exhibition will showcase a wide array of sports, fitness, and outdoor leisure products, bringing together manufacturers, service providers, and brand operators from both domestic and international markets.

TaiSPO holds a prominent position as the industry’s leading B2B exhibition and sales platform, facilitating interactions, communication, and collaboration among sports and fitness industry players, while also enabling them to enhance their market presence. Exhibitors are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird discount, which will be available until September 30 this year. We cordially invite businesses to register for this remarkable event. TaiSPO holds the distinction of being the longest-running sports and fitness industry exhibition in Taiwan. Following the lifting of pandemic-related border restrictions in 2023, the first exhibition drew an impressive turnout, with over 1,200 international buyers from 61 countries and more than 6,000 domestic visitors. In fact, the overall number of visitors surpassed pre-pandemic levels, experiencing an impressive 80% growth. This surge in popularity clearly indicates the positive reception of TaiSPO’s strategic decision to expand horizontally across industries and seamlessly integrate both soft and hard elements.

Sports and Fitness Taiwan, TaiSPO 2024: Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Sports and Fitness Industries Registration Opens on July 10th

Building on the success of the previous year, TaiSPO in 2024 will showcase a captivating lineup featuring three exciting themes: “Dynamic Fitness Society”, “Alternative Leisure Lifestyle,” and “Sports Tech Next Level”. These themes aim to highlight the diversity within the sports and fitness industry, the array of outdoor lifestyles available, and the boundless potential that technology brings to the sports ecosystem. To enhance the visual experience, the exhibition will introduce a fresh visual concept, incorporating the vibrant colors of “Energetic Light” and “Blue Ocean” that intertwine seamlessly. This choice of colors symbolises the dynamic change in body temperature during exercise. Moreover, polygonal lines will be employed to depict the multifaceted interactions between industries, underscoring the collective empowerment and growth within the sports and fitness sectors.

According to the Global Wellness Economy report, the global sports industry is projected to surpass a staggering value of US$1.1 trillion in 2023, with the Asia-Pacific region emerging as a key driver of high growth. The sports industry has witnessed a significant transformation due to the integration of cutting-edge technologies like the IoT and AI. To align with evolving industry trends and expand market presence for sports industry players, TaiSPO is poised to continue its transformative journey in the upcoming year, 2024. In addition to the existing seven sections encompassing “Indoor Fitness,” “Outdoor Sports,” “Water Sports,” “Health and Sports Fashion,” “All Age Fitness,” “Sports Tech,” and “Sports Marketing and Services,” new sections will be introduced to enhance the diversity of the exhibition. These new additions include “Intelligence Sites,” “Golf,” and “Glamping.”

By incorporating forums, lectures, group activities, and outdoor experiential opportunities, TaiSPO will once again serve as an annual platform for professionals within the sports and fitness industry to engage, establish networks, and discover the finest domestic and international sales channels and partnerships for Taiwanese businesses.

TaiSPO 2024 is scheduled to take place at Hall 2 of Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center from March 6 to 9, 2024. Registration for the event will open on July 10th. For detailed information about the exhibition, please visit the official website: https://www.taispo.com.tw

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AFTNews, AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ

World Record Most Number of People Doing Sit-Ups

Over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years (43.7% or 8.6 million people) have experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life, 21.4% of people have had a mental illness that has lasted 12 months. This number is increasing in the younger generation with 39.6% of Australians between the ages of 15-24 having a 12-month mental illness. This is truly unacceptable, and something has to be done about this yet only 1 in 10 young Aussies seek help.

The Mental Wheels Foundation has made it its mission to understand how to improve mental health through positive actions and research; The Foundation supports the community through the promotion of accessible clinical programs and Mental Wheel of Life Workshops. Partnering MQ Health in research projects and treatment through MindSpot (a free mental online health clinic).

To raise much needed funds, The Mental Wheels Foundation has launched the ‘Sit-Up Challenge’. To take part in the Challenge participants will be doing 66 sit-ups every day for 21 days, this not only helps to improve the participants mental health through physical exercise but will also raise money and awareness. The challenge will take place from September 1.

To rally people to take action, the challenge aims to break a world record! The most people doing sit-ups simultaneously, the current world record set on 17th of November 2016 sits at 2,005 people simultaneously doing sit-ups. The Mental Wheels Foundation plans to beat this – but we need your support in order to do so.

There will also be an in-person challenge held in Sydney, Brisbane and Port Macquarie on Saturday September 2.

For either option, please register here https://the-situp-challenge.raisely.com/

If you ever do find yourself suffering from mental illness and feel it is affecting, you in a negative way please reach out for support from someone you trust and if you don’t feel like there is someone you can trust, seek support through one of these helplines:

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
  • Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

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AFT Features, AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ

Give up a Fiver for Survivors of Slavery right here in Australia!

  • Did you know that there are currently 41,000* people trapped in modern slavery in Australia?
  • Can you imagine your workplace, your school or your local club advocating for human rights and wanting to do something practical to embrace change?
  • Everyone can take action to help victims of slavery in Australia, and it starts with just a $5 donation towards The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School (Fivers for Survivors).

The Freedom Hub, an Australian registered charity announces its annual ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign to align with the United Nations (UN) Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2023 in support of survivors of modern slavery.

The ‘Fivers for Survivors’ campaign has three goals:

  • to drive awareness about modern slavery and human trafficking,
  • to engage communities to look out for one another,
  • to support victims of slavery by donating $5 towards the The Freedom Hub Survivor School.

The Freedom Hub will provide free tool kits and resources to encourage schools, clubs, businesses or organisations to organise their own awareness campaigns about modern slavery and human trafficking. The tool kit contains all the necessary resources, videos, materials, and guidelines to facilitate a successful fundraising event, plus facilitates tips on effective community engagement.

Awareness campaigns can be fun and enjoyable for example wearing a silly hat for the day or hosting a walk, whichever that can engage your group or community. What’s important is the positive engagement of participants while broaching a very serious topic because their support helps get essential services to survivors, enabling them to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

Anyone who is interested to know more or contribute as a volunteer is invited to visit The Freedom Hub during the ‘Fivers for Survivors’ week from 24-31 July 2023 or arrange for a representative from the Freedom Hub to come to your school, club, business, or organisation to speak about the issues surrounding modern-day slavery for a nominal donation fee.

Caption: Sally Irwin, Founder of The Freedom Hub (Photo credit: TheFreedomHub.org)

Founded by social entrepreneur Sally Irwin to fill the gap in specialised long-term care for survivors of modern slavery, The Freedom Hub’s Cafe in Waterloo, Sydney and Ethical Business Services fund the organisation’s administration, meaning 100% of all donations go directly to supporting survivors.

“Once a survivor has escaped their situation, they will have to wait four to five years before their court case is heard – that’s long enough for people’s lives to be destroyed even further than what they’ve already been through. In addition, their mental and physical health usually deteriorates; they can find it impossible to trust anyone or function within society,” said Irwin.

“That’s where The Freedom Hub’s Survivor School comes in; we help them rebuild their lives to live independently and successfully. A small donation can bring impact for survivors, and that’s what ‘Fivers for Survivors’ is all about.

Together, we can make a massive difference, and everyone can be a part of it from as little as $5, and every cent goes directly to survivors,” said Irwin.

Register your event, donate, and read more about Fivers for Survivors on our website:

www.thefreedomhub.org/fivers-for-survivors.

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AFTNews, AFTNews

Media Statement in Response to Victoria Government 2026 Commonwealth Games Host Withdrawal

We were informed today that the Victorian Government has walked away from their agreement to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

This is hugely disappointing for the Commonwealth Sport Movement, for athletes around the Commonwealth and the Organising Committee who are well advanced in their planning and preparation.

The reasons given are financial. The numbers quoted to us today of $6 billion are 50% more than those advised to the Organising Committee board at its meeting in June.

These figures are attributed to price escalation primarily due to the unique regional delivery model that Victoria chose for these Games, and in particular relate to village and venue builds and transport infrastructure.

Since awarding Victoria the Games, the Government has made decisions to include more sports and an additional regional hub, and changed plans for venues, all of which have added considerable expense, often against the advice of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA).

We are disappointed that we were only given eight hours’ notice and that no consideration was given to discussing the situation to jointly find solutions prior to this decision being reached by the Government.

Up until this point, the Government had advised that sufficient funding was available to deliver the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.

We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement.

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AFTNews, Diet & Nutrition, Features Malaysia

Sustainable farming by the original guardians of the forests

AFT RECOMMENDS the OA Organik series of videos, showcasing the Orang Asli (OA) or aboriginal / original people of Malaysia. The Malaysian Ministry of Education reported that 42.29% of OA students did not complete Form Five high school education. There’s so much that can be done for the OA community and this story highlights a project spearheaded a local non-profit organisation that has picked up the ASEAN The Struggles Of Education: The Extraordinary Effort Of Fazilah Apong To Complete School – OA Organik (wordpress.com)  

In each video, you’ll listen to the authentic voices of the Orang Asli community in Malaysia, working as Organic Farmers in a unique collaboration with the Foundation for Community Studies and Development (FOCUSED), or YKPM in the Malay language, a registered nonprofit organisation that was founded on 22 September 1993. YKPM accepts tax-deductible donations and is a registered society – Society Reg. No.: 276769-D with the aim to empower left-behind communities, both rural and urban, by working alongside them.

On World’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day (9th August), a fairtrade community enterprise launched a series of video explainers to share how they partner with the Orang Asli (indigenous people) at Ulu Gumum and Melai of Malaysia. Through organic farming, OA Organik has helped lift many Orang Asli households from poverty and earn an income. The project aims to build a green economy and fight for climate justice. Learn more: https://www.ykpm.org.my.

Through organic farming, the Orang Asli (OA) are indirectly protecting Malaysia’s largest natural resource: the rainforest. With just RM1 million, the OA can set up a collection center and provide fair markets for 20 OA villages. This will improve livelihoods and empower them to conserve their forest.

Meet the Orang Asli – Organic Farmers and Guardians of the Forest – https://youtu.be/66uOAdU18Sw
OA Organik: Restoring Dignity
OA Organik: Forging Unity
OA Organik: Farm Nutrition
OA Organik: Forest Custodians
OA Voices 05: Forest Water – https://youtu.be/ORVsnaTgPT4
OA Voices 06: Forest Crafts – https://youtu.be/wLwHIzlpoDo
OA Voices 07: Forest Recreation – https://youtu.be/QZoxmewLybo
OA Voices 08: Forest Herbs – https://youtu.be/U0hW1ppj9uw

Learn more about OA Organik by visiting their website: www.oaorganic.com.my.

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AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ, Features Australia/NZ

NZTE Made with Care: Bringing New Zealand’s very best Food & Beverages to Australia

2 June 2023, Sydney – New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) is thrilled to unveil the fifth phase of its NZTE Made with Care campaign, as the demand for kiwi produce down under continues to soar. The global initiative aims to elevate New Zealand’s exceptional produce and highlight its reputation for great-tasting and ethically manufactured food and beverages. The continuation of the campaign signifies New Zealand’s commitment to crafting outstanding produce available to purchase in Australia and beyond.

The latest installation of the campaign will showcase 36 Aotearoa New Zealand brands, featuring both returning food and beverage favourites as well as exciting new additions. These include New Zealand’s only 100% farmer owned red meat co-operative, Lumina Lamb, health and wellness tonic brand, No Ugly, all-natural vodka soda company, Finery, and premium New Zealand honey from 1839 Ltd.

The NZTE Made with Care campaign reinforces the country’s values, which are rooted in Māori culture and are fundamental to the exceptional produce grown on its land. These values include Kaitiakitanga, which involves safeguarding and nurturing people, place, and planet for future generations; Manaakitanga, which emphasizes caring for others and demonstrating hospitality, kindness, and respect; and ingenuity, which involves challenging conventional norms with innovative and daring solutions.
Australia Pacific Regional Director of NZTE, Glen Murphy, is thrilled with the campaign’s success thus far and its contribution to increasing the demand for New Zealand’s products in Australia. “The success of the NZ Made with Care campaign has been tremendous, and thus the decision to continue this initiative was effortless. We are thrilled to have new brands joining us for this fifth phase and will continue working
with our partners to promote and increase awareness and demand for New Zealand’s exceptional and nourishing produce, which is grown and manufactured with integrity. It is evident that Australian consumers share our passion for supporting sustainable food and beverages and preserving and safeguarding our planet.”

Being one of Australia’s closest neighbours, New Zealand’s proximity provides easy access to a complete ecosystem of exceptional food and beverage products of global standards. With such a diverse and exceptional selection, Australian consumers have an abundance of choices when it comes to selecting premium New Zealand products.

Photos: supplied

New Zealand’s beverage industry

New Zealand’s beverage industry has established a worldwide reputation for producing top-quality and award-winning products, including beer, cider, spirits, natural juices, soft drinks, and sparkling water. Some of the best beverages to sample in Australia include the exquisite wines from Rockburn, Te Mata Estate, Summerhouse, Babich Wines, Palliser Estate and Te Whare Ra Wines. Those who relish in the sound of a can tab popping should go straight for New Zealand’s Zeffer Cider. For something a little “higher up the shelf”, new premium vodka soda brand Finery and Strange Nature Gin are worth a try. For those who prefer zero-alcohol beverages, have a wide range of options to choose from, including: Eden Orchards cherry juice, ŌKU NZ herbal tea and elixirs, Six Barrel Soda syrups, Giesen’s 0% alcohol wine, Nutrient Rescue’s life changing booster shots and new wellness tonic brand No Ugly.

Culinary Delights

New Zealand is proud to offer yet another impressive selection of culinary delights that not only benefit the planet but also enhance the lives of consumers. Healthy options (that don’t skimp on flavour) include Fix & Fogg nut spreads, Pacific Harvest edible seaweed, Rutherford & Meyer’s crackers and pastes, The Crafty Weka Bar good-for-you and nature bars, Justine’s Cookies, Pic’s Peanut Butter, trans fat-free Proper Crisps, Pure Delish muesli and cereal, Tom & Luke natural snack packs, Little Beauties freeze-dried fruit, Blue Frog and breakfast cereals, Juicies frozen apple pops, sustainably farmed NZ King Salmon and new addition premium New Zealand honey by 1839 Ltd.

Photo: supplied

Article extracted from New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE)

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AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Fitness

25,000-strong at Dreamhack Melbourne 2023

Record attendance at Australia’s second DreamHack festival in Melbourne for a weekend of gaming, esports & more

The April 28-30th 2023 weekend saw Australia’s biggest gaming, esports, and lifestyle festival, DreamHack Melbourne, return to Melbourne & Olympic Parks with a total of 25,851 passionate fans in attendance across three days (up from 21,000 in 2022). Attendees were treated to a smörgåsbord of activities, including a sold-out Bring-Your-Own-Computer LAN party with $40,000 in prizes, a $16,000 Cosplay Competition, live music performances, an artist alley, the latest tech & games at the DreamHack expo, content creator meet & greets, and educational panels.

Esports fans were treated to a spectacle across two stages in Margaret Court Arena, as Movistar Riders took out the top spot in the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ESL Challenger tournament, while The Chiefs scored the win in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania Finals, with over $200,000 awarded in prize money across the weekend. Aspiring professional gamers competed in the Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) LAN competition across VALORANT, Fortnite, Rocket League, CS:GO, Age of Empires and more.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos attended the opening ceremony of DreamHack Melbourne 2023 at Rod Laver Arena to welcome competitors, spectators and visitors of all ages to Melbourne.

“DreamHack’s return to Melbourne was a roaring success. The diverse range of content at this year’s festival resonated with fans, which resulted in record ticket sales & attendance – the highest we’ve ever seen in Australia.”

Nick Vanzetti, MD & SVP at ESL FACEIT Group Asia-Pacific Japan.

“We’re incredibly proud of how DreamHack Melbourne has evolved this year, bringing together a diverse range of fans to experience the incredible atmosphere of DreamHack.” said Christoffer Melin, Director DreamHack Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “It was an honor to be a part of this vibrant celebration, where the passion and energy of our community took centre stage.”

DreamHack Melbourne tournament results:

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (ESL Challenger)

1st: Movistar Riders (Spain) – $50,000 USD

2nd: Bad News Eagles (Kosovo) – $20,000 USD

3-4th: Grayhound.Rivalry (ANZ) – $10,000 USD

3-4th: Ecstatic (Denmark) – $10,000 USD

League of Legends (League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO) Finals)

1st: The Chiefs (ANZ) – $15,000 USD
2nd: Team Bliss (ANZ) – $10,000 USD

Cosplay Competition

1st: Zaphy Cosplay $7,500 AUD
2nd: Miss Twisted $5,000 AUD
3rd: Robb Props & Cosplay $2,500 AUD

Images: Supplied

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AFTNews, Features Australia/NZ, Virtus Global Games

Sport Inclusion Australia name Australian team for the Virtus Global Games

In March 2023, Sport Inclusion Australia announced the Australian team for the 2023 Virtus Global Games taking place in Vichy, France with a total of 121 athletes representing Australia across 10 sports from 4 to 10 June 2023.

“We are very pleased to see so many athletes qualify for the Games following on from the very successful Oceania Asia Games held in Brisbane in November 2022”

Sport Inclusion Australia President, Helen Croxford

Virtus Global Games 2023 will welcome over 1,000 athletes from over 50 countries with Australia’s team expected to be the second largest behind host country France. Australia has a proud record at the Games finishing on top of the medal table at all Global Games except the 1st in Bollnas Sweden in 2004 where they finished second.  With such a large team travelling to France, officials are hopeful of maintaining their position on top of the ladder.

Australia is leading the way with participation of women with 47 women across 8 sports. Athletics is the largest component of the Australian team with 30 athletes, followed by swimming with 24 and Basketball 22.

Seven of the ten sports (Athletics, Cycling, Judo, Taekwondo, Table tennis, Tennis and Swimming) have all confirmed their selections.  Basketball, Futsal and Equestrian are expected to confirm selections in the coming weeks.

Sport inclusion so no one is left behind

The 2023 Virtus Global Games will also see the inclusion of athletes in the II-3 (Autism) group competing with full medal status following Virtus’s announcement of the finalised eligibility criteria earlier this year.  Australia will field athletes in all three groups II-1 (intellectual disability), II-2 (intellectual disability with significant other impairment) and II-3 (autism).

Equestrian will make its debut at the Games.  In recent years Australian athletes have been able to compete internationally in virtual competitions.  Riders will have the added challenge of riding new horses supplied by the local organising committee with just three days to adjust.

“Striving to increase the number of elite Australian athletes competing at the Global Games is an on-going partnership with the National Sporting Organisations, who continue to work with SIA to grow the sport, and for more athletes to have access to more competition, thereby increasing our capacity to bring a strong team of elite athletes to the Global Games in Vichy,”.

“The Australian team is leading the way with athletes competing in 10 out of the 13 sports on offer and with competing athletes in all three eligibility groups – we will be working to defend our championship from Global Games 2019 and bring home the first II-3 medals in a Virtus Global Games event.”

Robyn Smith OAM, Head of Delegation

Going for Gold & Glory

Ms Smith also said the Australian team is a team of champions and are fundraising to ensure every athlete is supported to their needs. Donations can be made via My Cause, search “GG2023” or click this link: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/306721/going-for-gold-and-glory-at-gg2023.

The team may feature three pairs of siblings with Victoria’s Montana and Jamieson Whiteley already named in the Cycling team.  ACT’s Brittany and Taylor Anderson and South Australia’s Keenan and Zachary Georg-Dent have been selected in squads for Basketball.

New South Wales will provide the majority of athletes with 36, closely followed by Victoria with 33 and Queensland with 25.  All states and territories except for Northern Territory will be represented.

New South Wales athlete Kelly Wren (Tennis) will contest her 6th Global Games having competed in all Games (Sweden 2004, Czech Republic 2009, Italy 2013, Ecuador 2015, Brisbane 2019 and now France 2023).  Wren will be the oldest Australian competitor at the Games and has also represented Australia in Basketball.

Team Australia

Athletics: Aaron Houston (NSW), Amelia Mazzei (NSW), Annabelle Rodgers (NSW), Belinda Slatter (QLD), Blake Carr (NSW), Ebonie Cooper (QLD), Eliesha Byrt (VIC), Ethan Parry (QLD), Georgia Powning (VIC), Hugo Taheny (SA), Jack Connors (NSW), Kyle McIntosh (NSW), Liam Griffett (VIC), Lillee Wakefield (SA), Lindsey Hendy (QLD),  Lleyton Lloyd (NSW), Malachi Canning (NSW), Rebecca Mathers (TAS), Riley Mann (QLD), Sam LeFeuvre (QLD), Sammy Muamba (NSW), Stephanie Schweitzer (NSW), Telaya Blacksmith (NSW), Timon Sideris (SA), Timothy D’Abrera (ACT), Phoebe Mitchell (VIC), Kobi-Lee Dyer (VIC).

Basketball Women: Brittany Anderson (ACT), Taylor Anderson (ACT), Jasmin Funnell (ACT), Montana  Haag (VIC), Madilyn Janssen (ACT), Jessica McCulloch (VIC), Evangeline Patterson (VIC), Louwanna Sheridan (ACT), Mackenzie Wills (NSW), Mia Wilson (VIC)

Basketball Men: Brayden  Cowell (TAS), Frazer  Dawber (VIC), Jake  De La Motte (VIC), Keenan  Georg-Dent (SA), Zachary Georg-Dent (SA), Jack Innella (VIC), Jack Gilbertson (NSW), Brad  Kinross (SA), Justin  Koenig (ACT), James Myers (VIC), Matthew Farrar (VIC), James Doyle (NSW)

Cycling*: Andre Ascui (VIC), Nathan Glarvey (QLD), Cameron Marshall (VIC), Jamieson Whiteley (VIC), Montana Whitley (VIC), Georgia Powning (VIC), Molly Thatcher (VIC), Harry Mezger (VIC), Oliver Hutchison (QLD)

Equestrian: Andrew Driffield (NSW), Sarah Sherwood (QLD) Sui Watts (NSW)

Futsal (Squad): Andrew Hoatson (ACT), Joshua Long (QLD), Samuel Mills (SA), Rocco Muemeci (NSW), Samson Samason (VIC), Brad Southwel (NSW), Nathan Whelan (NSW), Ayden Brenton (SA), Bradley Bettens (SA)

Judo: Robert Girdwood (WA), Phoebe Ladlow (TAS), Tobias Sampson (TAS), Lillee Wakefield (SA), Liam Hudson (SA)

Rowing: Bronte Marshall (NSW), Julia Story (NSW), MacIntyre Russell (QLD), Aaron Skinner (VIC)

Swimming: Joshua Alford (ACT), Bailey Stewart (QLD), Jarred Dyer (NSW), Darren Sisman (NSW), Liam Schluter (QLD), India Biesse-Fitton (VIC), Jade Lucy (NSW), Kael Thompson (QLD), Airlie Davis (QLD), Stephanie Bruzzese (NSW), Charles Wilkins (SA), Bradley Doolan (VIC), Russell Booysen (QLD), Katrina Coffey (NSW), Alexander Hejaij (NSW), Gabriel Cregan (SA), Isaac Howells (NSW), Amelia Moore (NSW), Gabriella Howells (NSW), Bel Dabic (WA), Jakob Thompson (NSW), Madison Hinds (NSW), Ryan McGrane (VIC)

Table Tennis: Sam von Einem (SA).

Taekwondo: Chaeyon Seo (QLD), Damon Vasterink (VIC), Jack Arrah (WA)

Tennis: Kelly Wren (NSW), Carla Lenarduzzi (VIC), Breanna Tunny (QLD), Andriana Petrakis (SA), Archie Graham (QLD), Mitchell James (QLD), Damian  Phillips (NSW), Luke Barker (QLD), Tim Gould (QLD), Hunter Thompson (QLD), Simon Ma (NSW)

* A number of athletes may still be added to the team subject to completion of eligibility.

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Image: SportInclusionAustralia.org.au

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AFTNews, Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Urgent action needed to tackle stalled progress on health-related Sustainable Development Goals

Via AFTNN

20 May 2023 – Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) released the 2023 edition of its annual World Health Statistics report with new figures on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and the latest statistics on progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The report with data up to 2022 underscores a stagnation of health progress on key health indicators in recent years compared with trends seen during 2000-2015. It also alerts us to the growing threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and climate change and calls for a coordinated and strengthened response.

COVID-19 cost in lost lives and health progress

The report documents updated statistics on the toll of the pandemic on global health, contributing to the ongoing decline in progress towards the SDGs. During 2020-2021, COVID-19 resulted in a staggering 336.8 million years of life lost globally. This equates to an average of 22 years of life lost for every excess death, abruptly and tragically cutting short the lives of millions of people.

Since 2000, we saw significant improvements in maternal and child health with deaths falling by one-third and one-half, respectively. The incidence of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria also declined, along with a lowered risk of premature deaths from NCDs and injuries. Together, these contributed to an increase in global life expectancy from 67 years in 2000 to 73 years in 2019.

However, the pandemic has put many health-related indicators further off-track and contributed to inequalities in access to high-quality health care, routine immunizations and financial protection. As a result, improving trends in malaria and TB have been reversed, and fewer people were treated for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

“The World Health Statistics is WHO’s annual check-up on the state of the world’s health. The report sends a stark message on the threat of noncommunicable diseases, which take an immense and increasing toll on lives, livelihoods, health systems, communities, economies and societies,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  “The report calls for a substantial increase in investments in health and health systems to get back on track towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”

NCDs—an ever-increasing health threat for future generations

Despite overall health progress, the share of deaths caused annually by NCDs has grown consistently and is now claiming nearly three quarters of all lives lost each year.

If this trend continues, NCDs are projected to account for about 86% of the 90 million annual deaths by mid-century; consequently, 77 million of these will be due to NCDs – a nearly 90% increase in absolute numbers since 2019. 

Stagnating progress calls for acceleration

More recent trends show signs of slowdown in the annual rate of reduction (ARR) for many indicators. For example, the global maternal mortality ratio needs to decline by 11.6% per year between 2021 and 2030 to meet the SDG target. Similarly, the net reduction in TB incidence from 2015 to 2021 was only one-fifth of the way to the 2025 milestone of WHO’s End TB Strategy.

Despite a reduction in exposure to many health risks – such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, violence, unsafe water and sanitation, and child stunting – progress was inadequate and exposure to some risks such as air pollution remains high.

Alarmingly, the prevalence of obesity is rising with no immediate sign of reversal. Furthermore, expanded access to essential health services has slowed compared to pre-2015 gains, coupled with no significant progress in reducing financial hardship due to health-care costs. This drastically limits our ability to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is an important reminder that progress is neither linear nor guaranteed,” warns Dr Samira Asma, WHO Assistant Director-General for Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact. “To stay on track towards the 2030 SDG agenda, we must act decisively and collectively to deliver a measurable impact in all countries.”

This year’s report includes for the first time a dedicated section on climate change and health, and we anticipate that this will be of more relevance in the report going forward. For this issue and all other areas timely, reliable and disaggregated data are critical to track progress and improve national and global health policies.

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