title: Self-organising map analysis of rugby placekicking biomechanics

authors: Hébert-Losier, Kim

subjects: artificial neural network

abstract: Our aim was to use a self-organising map (SOM) to examine key biomechanical variables previously identified to discriminate best from worst placekicking attempts. Placekicker and ball 3D biomechanics were acquired from three competitive placekickers who performed 10 kicks outdoors, 35-m from the posts. Seven key variables were extracted for SOM analysis and kicks were categorised into "best", "typical", and "worst" for each placekicker based on kick outcomes and player and coach ratings. SOM output indicated that three clusters best explained intra-cluster similarities and inter-cluster differences. The three clusters highlighted differences between the biomechanical variables of the three placekickers rather than the best, typical, and worst kicks. Within-clusters, however, the best and worst kicks tended to be represented by nodes in separate map regions.

text: Self-organising map analysis of rugby placekicking biomechanics Our aim was to use a self-organising map (SOM) to examine key biomechanical variables previously identified to discriminate best from worst placekicking attempts. Placekicker and ball 3D biomechanics were acquired from three competitive placekickers who performed 10 kicks outdoors, 35-m from the posts. Seven key variables were extracted for SOM analysis and kicks were categorised into "best", "typical", and "worst" for each placekicker based on kick outcomes and player and coach ratings. SOM output indicated that three clusters best explained intra-cluster similarities and inter-cluster differences. The three clusters highlighted differences between the biomechanical variables of the three placekickers rather than the best, typical, and worst kicks. Within-clusters, however, the best and worst kicks tended to be represented by nodes in separate map regions.

year: 2018

title: More English than the English? Cricket fan culture in New Zealand

authors: Gibbs, Danny Wiremu

subjects: Geography

abstract: This thesis focuses on cricket fan culture in New Zealand. It examines academic theory in relation to sport, sport(s) fandom, cricket, and cricket fandom, and identifies their relevance to human geography. Theoretical constructions underpinned the data collected from New Zealand cricket fans over the course the 2017-18 summer. Cricket fan culture in New Zealand has not had sufficient reasoning to be defined in its own unique manner. Historically a lack of on-field success by New Zealand cricket teams, scarce amounts of domestic cricket being played in New Zealand, and culture clashes with prominent sports in New Zealand, led to stagnation in the development of a cricket fan culture throughout the twentieth century. Research of historical influences on contemporary cricket fan culture in New Zealand is combined with data collected from cricket fans via participant observation and semi-structured interviews. This research determines while that cricket fan culture in contemporary New Zealand mitigates against easy definition, the study of sporting fandom offers much potential for future geographic research Challenging historical and contemporary ideologies of cricket fan culture in New Zealand highlights the complexities, richness, and diversity of sports fandom.

text: More English than the English? Cricket fan culture in New Zealand This thesis focuses on cricket fan culture in New Zealand. It examines academic theory in relation to sport, sport(s) fandom, cricket, and cricket fandom, and identifies their relevance to human geography. Theoretical constructions underpinned the data collected from New Zealand cricket fans over the course the 2017-18 summer. Cricket fan culture in New Zealand has not had sufficient reasoning to be defined in its own unique manner. Historically a lack of on-field success by New Zealand cricket teams, scarce amounts of domestic cricket being played in New Zealand, and culture clashes with prominent sports in New Zealand, led to stagnation in the development of a cricket fan culture throughout the twentieth century. Research of historical influences on contemporary cricket fan culture in New Zealand is combined with data collected from cricket fans via participant observation and semi-structured interviews. This research determines while that cricket fan culture in contemporary New Zealand mitigates against easy definition, the study of sporting fandom offers much potential for future geographic research Challenging historical and contemporary ideologies of cricket fan culture in New Zealand highlights the complexities, richness, and diversity of sports fandom.

year: 2018

title: Ka Māpuna: Towards a rangatiratanga framework for the governance of waterways

authors: Martin, Betsan

abstract: Rangatiratanga is thenavigational courseforthis research, the aspiration that guides a frameworkfor thegovernance which, in respect ofwaterways and Te Taiao secures mauri, ecosystem health, and water for domestic and commercial use. Rangatiratanga encompasses mana whakahaeredecision-making throughout all relevantgovernance systems. In respect of resource governance, this needs to be achieved through mana whenua authorities and co-governance institutions and procedures.

text: Ka Māpuna: Towards a rangatiratanga framework for the governance of waterways Rangatiratanga is thenavigational courseforthis research, the aspiration that guides a frameworkfor thegovernance which, in respect ofwaterways and Te Taiao secures mauri, ecosystem health, and water for domestic and commercial use. Rangatiratanga encompasses mana whakahaeredecision-making throughout all relevantgovernance systems. In respect of resource governance, this needs to be achieved through mana whenua authorities and co-governance institutions and procedures.

year: 2021