Johannesburg, South Africa – 13 July 2010
It was a long time in the making, but the first ever football World Cup was finally held in Africa. And the host country should be proud – well done to South Africa!
Why Sport Matters returned to South Africa, but this time with a different assignment — producing video reports for MLSSoccer.com as well as video fan research interviews. Click HERE to see all of John’s reports which appeared on Major League Soccer’s website.
The week leading up to the 11 June opening match saw a festive atmosphere throughout the country. The yellow colours of the Bafana Bafana (South African national team) were seen everywhere and hum from the celebrated vuvuzelas could be heard at all hours. Hope and happiness helped put the South Africans in a party mood, and it was incredible to see the rainbow nation finally coming together as one. Spirits were still high following the opening draw with Mexico. Why Sport Matters was at the heart of this passion at the official FanFest in Johannesburg and celebrated alongside about 10,000 South Africans (see video).
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Auckland, New Zealand – 7 May 2010
Kia Ora from New Zealand!
Many times in this small island nation of 4 million people we heard the expression that New Zealand “punches above its weight” when it comes to sporting achievement. And it’s true.
Most people will associate New Zealand with its national passion of rugby, which indeed dominates the sport scene. The national team is the All Blacks, which have one of the highest winning/success rates in any team in sport, and are always a feared opponent on the rugby pitch. This is felt even more when they perform the inspiring war chant — the “Haka” — at the beginning of every match. Check out this funny YOUTUBE VIDEO we filmed at the rugby museum in Palmerston North.
The biggest news in rugby right now is that the country is set to host the IRB Rugby World Cup in 2011. While only a small country, its rugby culture runs deep and the country has many top facilities, which makes it an ideal place to host the tournament. The Rugby World Cup is getting so much public support that one of the tournament taglines says New Zealand will be a “Stadium of 4 Million People”. Why Sport Matters was able to speak with a few people in the rugby community, and even caught up with the actual trophy during its world tour (see photo).
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Samoa – 27 April 2010
Talofa from Samoa!
The first stop in the South Pacific region for the Why Sport Matters journey was Samoa, a small Polynesian island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (more or less half-way between Hawaii and New Zealand). In this tropical paradise, they do things the Samoan Way, or Fa’a Samoa, and this is reflected in their sport culture. With a total population of less than 200,000, Samoans have a great passion and a proven ability in a wide variety of sport.
The national sport in Samoa is clearly rugby — and you cannot be in this country without seeing the effects of it, as they have remarkable international success for such a small country. At this time, Samoa is currently the #1 ranked team in the world for Rugby Sevens, having won the previous three tournaments in the Sevens World Series Circuit. Interest in the sport is sure to keep growing thanks to the IOC’s decision to add it as an Olympic sport, and it will get its big debut in the Rio 2016 Games.
Rugby’s influence comes from the earlier days of British and New Zealand rule, both countries passionate about their rugby (Samoa began independent rule in 1962). As Samoa found success on the international stage, it now seems every Samoan youth dreams of playing for the Manu Samoa – the national team of rugby. While rugby is technically amateur status in the country, many of the players go abroad to play club rugby in places like New Zealand, Australia and Europe. In addition, rugby is also the passion sport in neighboring island nations, especially Fiji and Tonga, which creates a healthy rivalry amongst the islands for rugby supremacy. Samoa is eager to participate in the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand – don’t miss the Samoan war chant, the Siva Tau, delivered before their home matches.
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