asn sports and fitness news . . .

nabba 2004 media release (16th february 2004)

Local labour hire company throws its weight behind national bodybuilding event Hobart to host 2004 NABBA Australian Bodybuilding and Figure Championships

What do Tasmanian business The TESA Group and Australia's best bodybuilders have in common? Not much, you might say, but they do indeed share at least one characteristic - they know what it takes to compete successfully at a national level.

And it's this shared commitment to reaching the top of a chosen field - whatever it may be - that has prompted TESA to support the first national bodybuilding event to be held in Tasmania.

The NABBA 2004 Australian Bodybuilding, Figure and Fitness Championships will be held at the Wrest Point Convention Centre, Hobart on Saturday 18 September.

The news was announced at TESA headquarters, Albert Rd, Moonah, today by company Chairman Craig Ransley and NABBA Australia's Tasmanian representative and National PR Director, Laura Clements.

As naming rights sponsor for the competition, TESA, has provided Tasmanians with an opportunity to see the nation's - and in some cases also the world's - top bodybuilders, figure-shapers and fitness stars strut their stuff on stage.

It will also be a rare opportunity for Tasmania's small, but talented community of bodybuilders show a home crowd that they can mix it with the best in the business, and possibly win a trip to represent their country at the NABBA Universe in the UK two weeks later.

"Like many sporting organisations, NABBA is run by volunteers, so we rely on sponsorship and in-kind support in order to run events at state, national and international level, and to raise funds to allow competitors to compete overseas," Laura said.

"Thanks to TESA's considerable support, the burden on volunteers has been reduced and this means that we can spend more time focussing on making this the best-ever national competition."

Craig, who is no stranger to pumping iron, said TESA was pleased to be able to support another first for Tasmania.

"The TESA Group is all about innovation - we like to stand out from the crowd and pride ourselves on out ability to achieve great success nationally from a Tasmanian base," he said.

"From this perspective, we have something in common with bodybuilders, who certainly stand out.

"TESA is pleased to be able to give something back to the Tasmanian community, which has helped our company to grow and now operate our skilled labour resourcing business from two sites in Tasmania (Hobart and Devonport), as well as establish operations in Victoria, NSW and Queensland."

The Australian Championships generally attract about 80 of the country's best male and female competitors, from teenagers to glamourous figure competitors to master competitors (whose physiques are often the envy of people half their age).

"The beauty of NABBA competitions is that they also include fitness oriented categories under the World Fitness Federation (WFF) banner. This means that there is a division for just about everyone," Laura said.

"For example, the WFF offers Mr Athletic divisions and fitness divisions for men, women and couples.

"Within NABBA we have the traditional bodybuilding divisions, as well as the figure divisions for women. Here, competitors have the chance to be a little more glamourous, which means wearing high heels, posing differently and displaying a certain look that takes into account femininity, poise and grace - along with muscularity; condition and shape."

Australia will host the NABBA World Titles on the Gold Coast in June, and Laura said this event has brought many of Australia's most successful competitors out of retirement.

"Hopefully this means some of them will also make the trip to Tasmania to compete in September, as they may be keen to also qualify for the Universe competition," she said.

"However, even if they don't compete, the judging panel will consist of a number of national, world and universe titleholders.

"I am hoping to persuade a couple of them to guest pose and show the Tasmanian audience what it takes to be a world champion."

Laura is confident that the competition will attract an audience of at least 500.

"Even at our state shows we've been able to attract 200 -300 people, and the crowds are always very vocal and appreciative, which is something you don't always get in the mainland. I think interstate visitors will be pleasantly surprised at the kind of reception they will receive," she said.

"In terms of visitor numbers, we are looking at about 100 people. I've already received calls from as far as the Northern Territory and Cairns, so the message is out there.

"We certainly won't make a huge dent on the local economy, but competitors, officials, families and friends generally spend at least a few days in the host city to 'celebrate', enjoy the sites and indulge in local delicacies.

"The Cadbury factory will probably be popular with competitors!"

The TESA 2004 NABBA Australian Championships will be held at Wrest Point Convention Centre, Hobart from midday on Saturday 18 September. The two overall winners will be crowned 2004 Mr and Ms Australia and will receive air fares to the Universe Championships in Newcastle, England.

Anyone interested in competing, sponsoring the event, or assisting on the day, contact: