Porirua police staffer Sian Law has wrestled the prized title of police association sportsperson of the year.

Law, 30, was the first female wrestler to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the World Champs in Russia last year.

The award was presented to Law by Police Association president Greg O’Connor at the Royal New Zealand Police College yesterday afternoon.

“Our award recognises the outstanding achievements of this police sportsperson. Her dedication, mental toughness and determination shown in pursuing her sporting goals are qualities that are highly-valued in members of police,” Mr O’Connor said.

Law, who works in business service for the police, said she was elated and surprised by the prize.

“When they told me I’d won, I was like, are you joking?

“I didn’t expect it – I work with a lot of people in police who are amazing athletes.”

People were often surprised to learn she was a wrestler, Ms Law said.

“I think sometimes they have to do a double take and say: are you sure?

“I think now that I’ve been involved with wrestling for so long now, I’ve raised awareness a bit. They seem to know now that you don’t have to be big to take part.

“You still get all the jokes though. And you get the tryers – people who come of the street and think they can take you on on the mat but that doesn’t usually work out for them.”

Her next goal is to make it to the Olympics – either as a competitor or a coach. She has set up training programmes for kids at the Tawa-Linden wrestling gym.

“Many of them come from broken families so it’s been great to be able to put something back into the sport and also for them.”

New Zealand Olympic Wrestling Union & Associated Styles (Inc)

2012 OLYMPIC GAMES NOMINATION CRITERIA

Follow the link below for details on the Nomination Criteria

2012 Olympic Games criteria

Note:

(Only Athletes  registered as members of the New Zealand Olympic Wrestling Union & Associated Styles can compete internationally)

Andrei Paulet- NZ Wrestling Rep

A wrestling clinic was held  on Sunday the 7th August at the 272 fight gym in Wellington.  24 keen grapplers attended the fantastic wrestling sessions taken by NZ’s best wrestling technician and Commonwealth Games team member Andrei Paulet.  Andrei was supported by fellow Commonwealth Games team members Nick Lane and Sian Law which ensured that all attending  the clinic had plenty of one on one time with quality wrestling technicians.

NZ Wrestling would like to thank Gareth Lewis head trainer at Lockdown MMA situated at 272 Taranki Street the home of Lockdown MMA and GSW for the excellent work done to promote the clinic and ensure it was a great success in a fantastic venue.

Gareth was pretty happy with the turn out at the clinic despite some late cancellations, ” everyone attending got a lot out of the techniques drilled by Andrie, Nick and Sian.  We have been extremely fortunate to have three members of the NZ Wrestling Commonwealth Games team running these types of clinics”

With the growing popularity of Mixed Martial Arts [MMA] in both the USA and New Zealand, wrestling is gaining in popularity.  Certainly in the United States a large number of the high performing athletes in the UFC come from a wrestling background.

The clinics have been a great success,  if clubs or gyms would like to  run similar clinics please  make contact with  NZ Wrestling through the web site contact.

Gareth Lewis, Andrie Paulet, Nick Lane

Group photo

Andrei showing a technique

Sian Law helps out with techniques

Connor McColl, suffered a broken neck during competition on Monday night and has since had surgery to put a plate into his spine. Suffering a fractured vertebra in his neck during an international match has destroyed competition hopes for a Taranaki wrestler this week.

Connor McColl, 15, of Alton, was competing in the Australasian Down Under Wrestling Tournament in Brisbane on Monday when he was injured by a move similar to a spear tackle, his father, Hugh McColl, said yesterday. Initially paralysed on his left side by a broken vertebra in his neck and dislocation between two discs, he has shown signs of improvement.

Since an operation to insert a plate into his neck, Connor had developed sensations and had been able to flex a thigh muscle and raise his forearm slightly, Mr McColl said. “There are signs of messages getting through. It’s wait and see.” It was Connor’s second bout as part of the New Zealand secondary schools team on the first day of competition against teams from Australia and the United States. “When you’ve got kids you do think about that sort of thing now and again when they are playing contact sports,” Mr McColl said.  ”And you just hope that it doesn’t happen to yours.”But when it does you just have to deal with it.” “The priority is to be making sure that Connor’s getting the best treatment available and support.”

His mother has flown to be by his side while his father has stayed behind with Connor’s sister and two younger brothers. Connor is in the Princess Alexandra Hospital spinal unit in Brisbane. His family is grateful for the support of friends and family, Mr McColl said.”The surgeon has said he is going to be in Brisbane for weeks, he doesn’t know how many weeks.” Mr McColl said his son would need to go to the Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch for rehabilitation when he was able to return home. Connor is the second highest-ranked wrestler in the North Island in his 63 kilogram weight range.

Connor McColl Trust Fund Collecting Bank National Bank – Hawera

06-0649-0144164-00

If your club would like to donate please include a reference for acknowledgement at a later date.

Gi & No-Gi Grappling Tournament

An awesome series of grappling tournaments that started with Grappling Central 01-ROLL FOR CHRISTCHURCH, is now followed by 02 – THE BEGINNING to prepare you and/or your team mates for Oceania’s Sydney 2012 selection, and who knows, maybe one day the Olympics. Come on Kiwis let’s Roll!

Saturday 9 July 2011

International Pacific College Gym, Pacific Drive, Palmerston North

Weigh-Ins:         7:30-9am

Event:        9am-5pm

Codes:        International BJJ Federation Gi FILA No-Gi

Divisions:  Male & Female, Veterans, Seniors, Juniors, Intermediate, Children

Grades:        {White Belt}, {Blue Belt},{Purple/Brown/Black Belt}

Fees:        $20 per Division plus

(Intermediate & primary children Entry Fee only)

$20 Early Bird Entry 10 June

$30 Good Bird Entry 6 July

$40 Cash on the Day

Coaches, trainers & therapists must register for free entry

Spectators:        $10 Adults $5 Children $20 Families of 4

Contact: Ian.Graham@CombatSportsCentral.co.nz

Tournament Director

Mobile: 022 085 6677

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CombatSportsCentral

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/CombatSportsIan