Straight from the press release:
Individuals and companies from as far away as Hertfordshire, UK and companies & individuals from all over the North Island of New Zealand are supporting an initiative to raise money for - and increase awareness of - the Auckland Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) and The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA).
CROSS CONTINENTAL INITIATIVE
TO RAISE MONEY
FOR THE AUCKLAND DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
AND THE NEW ZEALAND DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION
Hatfield, Hertfordshire-based Dave Ciano, former international petanque player, former manager of the British Petanque team and current member of Welwyn Club de Petanque in England, as well as a member of the Cockle Bay Petanque Club in NZ, is organising a Petanque competition on Sunday 16th November 2008 at the Herne Bay Petanque Club with the full support of the club
Players of all ages and levels, including beginners, will take part in an open doubles tournament, with all teams being guaranteed at least four games. The winning team will receive engraved trophies and at least 36 bottles of wine; there are engraved trophies and wine for the top four teams in the main event and for the top four teams in the plate event. The total bottles of wine given as prizes exceed 150 bottles.
The game of petanque was reputedly devised in 1910, in a fishing town in Southern France and is an adaptation of Jeu Provencal, now a much less popular game than petanque. The rules of Jeu Provencal stipulate that a player has to take a run-up of one or two paces, gaining momentum before letting go of the boule. However, when one of the game’s most passionate players was confined to a wheel chair following an accident, his fellow villagers voted to change the rules whereby all players had to place both feet in a rough circle scratched in the dirt of about 2 feet in
diameter, and take no run-up at all before throwing the boule. So
they began to play ‘pieds tanques’ (in the regional dialect ‘feet
together’), and thus the new game was created whereby able or disabled players could play on an equal basis.
Dave Ciano’s youngest grandchild, James, has Down syndrome. “My daughter Francesca Voykovich lives in Howick with husband Ben and their four children. The ADSA have been a great help to her, and to other families across Auckland. This competition is a way of offering people a fun day out, as well as raising awareness of DS and a few dollars for a fantastic cause.”
Companies so far supporting the day with gifts for the competition and a raffle include, Obsidian Winery, Passage Rock Vineyard, Rydges Hotel, Simply New Zealand, Tuatara Press, Waitangi National Trust, Cable Bay Vineyard, Goldwater Estate, Heritage Hotel, Hotel Grand Chancellor, The Limit, Chiltern Region of the English Petanque Association, Twilight Winery, Sky Tower, Family Story Inc,, Basalt (Howick), Kloser Portraits, Continental Express, Subway, Special Kiwis, Peninsula Estate Wines, Aquadeli, Boules to You, and Miro Vineyard. In addition, many individuals have donated gifts for the competition and raffle.
So what is Down Syndrome? It is a lifelong condition that delays learning and development. It is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21 inside each of the body’s cells. It is a genetic accident and not caused by anything the parents may or may not have done before or during pregnancy. It cannot be cured, but the problems caused by Down syndrome can be reduced with the right help and a positive accepting attitude from others. In New Zealand one baby in 700-1000 is born with Down syndrome; that is one or more babies born each week. Down syndrome is a condition that shows no prejudice, any family can have a child with the condition.
The Auckland Down Syndrome association (ADSA) is a not-for-profit organisation. They support over 300 families within the greater Auckland region. They aim to inform and support families/whanau of people with Down syndrome; promote and advocate attitudes in the wider community; promote the rights and inclusion of people with Down syndrome; review policies and lobby government and other institutions and to promote positive public awareness through educational and media initiatives.
ADSA provide support to new and existing families. They provide ‘new parent’ packs and have trained volunteers who undertake home and hospital visits. They issue a newsletter four times a year and aim to inform people with regard to all aspects of Down syndrome, particularly education and health related issues.
Until 6th November, to interview Dave Ciano or for more information contact david.ciano@ntlworld.com or telephone ++44 (0)1707 884398 or 07954173268. After 8th November Dave will be in Auckland on voyk@orcon.net.nz or telephone 092724148 or 07954173268
To interview Dave Ciano’s daughter, Francesca Voykovich, or young James please call 092724148 or 07954173268 or voyk@orcon.net.nz
Editor’s Notes
Venue: Herne Bay Petanque Club, Salisbury Road, Herne Bay, Auckland, New Zealand
Start: 10.00am
More about Petanque
http://www.petanquenz.com/
http://www.britishpetanque.org.uk/
More about DS
http://nzdsa.org.nz/
NZDSA Telephone 08006973724
ADSA Telephone (09) 6360351
http://www.downs-syndrome-london.org.uk/
Down’s Syndrome Association, London Telephone 08452300372
More about Herne Bay Petanque Club
http://www.aklpetanque.org.nz
Team Hornbill Petanque Sibu has sendt us some pictures from a local tournament in Malaysia.
Finally the BBC has folded: Petanque is the main story on their web page today!
A nice shot from Nice, France.
Straight from the press release: Individuals and companies from as far away as Hertfordshire, UK and companies & individuals from all over the North Island of New Zealand are supporting an initiative to raise money for - and increase awareness of - the Auckland Down Syndrome Association (ADSA) and The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA).
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