I’d like to interrupt my regular incoherent weekly blog, for the first of two special posts. The first one concerns sport, particularly rugby union, rugby league, football and cricket.
Whether you are aware of it or not; and I do apologise if you already do, but the 2021 Rugby World Cup1 was hosted by New Zealand, and the final was played on Saturday 12th November, between England and New Zealand, aka the Red Roses and the Black Ferns.
Running parallel to this tournament is the 2021 Rugby League World Cup2 which is currently being held in England. Also next year the 2023 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted between Australia and New Zealand.
Now for those of you that are keeping score, I’ve just named three of my favourite sports, with the exception of cricket.
So what do these three tournaments have got to do with the price of milk and each other? That’s a no brainer, because all three tournaments are for female players. This is important; because I feel at least in my country, we’re at a point where women playing international sport that has been traditionally identified as male, is finally going to get primetime coverage, attention and recognition.
Firstly, the Black Ferns won on Saturday, claiming their 6th World Cup title. Along with England, they put on an amazing display of rugby, that showcases how fantastic the game is to the entire world. My wife, UMC1, UMC2 and myself have watched as many games as possible, and we have not been disappointed. This tournament has lifted the profile of the sport, maybe forever.
The Kiwi Ferns will also be playing England on Monday 14th November at 7.30 pm (local time) in the 2nd semi-final for the Rugby League World Cup. These games I’ve been watching via highlights because of the time zones difference; we’re 13 hours ahead of the United Kingdom. Added to the fact that next year, the best 32 football teams in the world, will travel to Australia and New Zealand to fight for football supremacy.
As a sports fan, a New Zealander, and as a human being, this is phenomenal. Across these codes; and yes, I am including cricket with this, these World Cups were only introduced recently; 1991 for rugby and football, 2000 for rugby league, and 1973 for cricket.
What I’m driving at; and I’m going to sound corny, is that all of these players across these codes; are amazing. Simply amazing. Somewhere along the road, whether it was when they were a girl, teenager or as an adult, these players would have run into obstacles.
They may have been told that they couldn’t play their preferred sport, because it was only played by boys. It could have been they were told to just stick with sports, that are only played by girls, whether at school or at a club level. Maybe they were rejected for being the wrong size, height, or build.
There also could have been the issue of their school or community, not having the resources, staff, management or teams, to run a girls competition in rugby, rugby league, football or cricket. Maybe these players needed to travel hours to another town or city, to fit into a team that could take them in; committing to travel for trainings and games.
Whatever the case, they would have found an obstacle and discovered a way to climb over it, to go around it, and simply, to go through it. To me, sport is sport. You can have team sports like rugby, or individual sports like swimming, that deal in male or female competitions, and that’s fine. However, and it’s what I teach UMC1 and UMC2, there is no such thing as boys sport, or girls sport; there is only sport.
All of these players, regardless of their sport and country are inspirational. They are playing the sport they love; and they are also showing the current and next generation of players and supporters, that sport is for everybody, regardless of your ability and gender. They are role models for girls and boys to support and admire. Seriously, sport is sport.
So what’s next? Well, if you truly believe that sport is sport, you should do something about it. Demand more games from your broadcaster, so you can watch them; attend live games and if the case arises, buy tickets for the games; volunteer your time as a coach; buy merchandise like jerseys or posters; but just do something to support them.
I’ve taken my own advice, because I’ve purchased tickets for the FIFA World Cup next year. UMC1 and I will watch New Zealand (Football Ferns) vs Switzerland in Dunedin and we can’t wait.
Anyway, congratulations to the Black Ferns. Tino pai rawa atu! Damn, I love rugby.
Thanks for reading, go watch some sport, read some banned books, and I’ll see you on Monday for the second special blog.
1 Thanks COVID-19 for delaying it one year.
2 Once again, thanks COVID-19 for delaying it one year.
SOME GEEK TOLD ME 
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