Hi Taz, you could try some of the gaming trust's like pub-charity etc, you can pick them up where ever they have gaming machines, and apply through your local association, as long as they are incorporated. It's hard now though to get funding for overseas travel, its worth a shot though. The NZPF will pay out a small grant of up to $250 if funds are available (probably enough to pay for 1 night accomodation or about 10 beers in Denmark), and pay for your entry of 80 euro. Most just save hard and fund themselves. Would be worth going as I think there are 3 or 4 interested so far, so there would be a good support crew.

Remember all those wanting to compete at the Oceania Champs in Samoa to get your International Applications in. Should be a good one, was over there for the South Pacific Games in 2007 and they put on a good show.

Good post Steve. That bit about sitting back and down is so important, especially in a tight squat suit, you really have to push your glutes and hips back into the suit really hard to get the most benefit (tension) out of it. So many lifters let the suit push their hips foward as soon as the suit tightens up therefore putting the load onto the weaker quads and not reaching depth as early.

I was at a world champs 'after banquet drinks session', discussing powerlifting pro's and con's with good mate Steve Giffin (one of Australia's finest) a couple of years back, and thought you might find his analogy of weight lifting sports amusing. Steve says if Olympic lifting is the equivalent to formula 1 motor racing, then Powerlifting is the equivalent to drag racing, which makes bodybuilding like washing your car!

Just got back from the North Island Champs hosted by CD in Wellington, thanks to Warren, Craig and co. for putting on a great contest at the Powerhouse Gym. What an awesome gym, I'm jealous. Good to see Maria Brightwater-Wharf lifting again and Reuben Simanu totaling over 900 again with a 917.5kg total which included a very comfotable 355kg squat. Good to see alot of new lifters as well. Should see an exciting contest at the nationals between Felix Esterbaur and Doug Menie in the M4 100kg class, at the North Island's they both had the same sub-totals with Felix coming out on top by 20kg, looks like Doug has a bit more in him though. Both have a similar background in weightlifting and could teach some of the younger blokes a thing or two.

This is a bit late coming, but congratulations to Auckland for running a great contest this year. I havn't missed an Auckland champs since 1996, and would have to say this would be one of the most enjoyable ones. The officials and spotters were all fed and watered, the contest ran on time, and above all there was some great lifting. Watch out NZ, Auckland may well be on it's way back to it's former glory as a dominate province if it's junior lifters are anything to go by. Young Strachen, the Burge brothers and big Jono Raddich lifted fantastically, with some to spare. the master's weren't too shabby either, Smokin Joe Tafua, 292.5 deadlift at M2, Neil Lauaki, 320 squat, no suit (super deep too) Again thanks Darren, Craig and co. for putting on a good one