CYCLING: `Le Race' chief for HB event

SHANE HURNDELL
If anyone knows about the highs and lows involved with managing sporting events its Cantabrian Astrid Anderson.
Anderson, the race director of the Le Race cycle race between Christchurch and Akaroa, dominated the national headlines in 2001 when a competitor in the race was killed.
Anderson was later found guilty and fined after being charged with "criminal nuisance" under a section of the Crimes Act 1961.
When being sentenced Anderson was told she had failed to take reasonable precautions against endangering human life and she was lucky to avoid a prison sentence.
Although Anderson's conviction was later overturned it was regarded as a landmark case for the organisation of road-based sporting and recreational events and highlighted the need for greater safety for all those involved in such events.
Hawke's Bay people involved in organising sporting and commercial events will have the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by Anderson at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena on Friday.
Sport Hawke's Bay's Kevin Murphy, who has organised the workshop, described it as "great opportunity for all Hawke's Bay people involved in event management."
Topics which will be covered include event organiser responsibilities and liabilities, holding regional events and placing them in a regional strategy, managing successful shoulder-season events and potential future opportunities for Hawke's Bay.
Murphy said Anderson's versatility made her the ideal person to host the workshop. In addition to being a race director for Le Race Anderson is the founder of one of the South Island's premier event management companies and has experience in both sporting and commercial event management, public relations, marketing, business planning and relationship building.
Other high-profile events she has managed include Savour New Zealand and the Registered Master Builders' House of the Year.
Murphy has planned two other workshops for later this month. Both will be hosted by international event organisers Tee Macpherson and Justine Mathews.
The first to be staged in Havelock North on November 23 will focus on developing and managing your event. The second to be staged in Havelock North the following day will focus on sponsoring events effectively.