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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Medellin, Colombia – 13 April 2010
The final country to visit on the Why Sport Matters tour of South America was Colombia. To say that Colombia is different than what we had expected is an understatement. Not only is it naturally beautiful with several diverse climates, but the people are warm and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and introduce us to the real Colombia. In addition, their passion for sport has been intertwined with the history of the country, and is a good example of how sport reflects culture.
The capital city of Bogota is the business centre and largest city. Although located right on the equator, it sits at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, which means it never gets very hot. It has a vibrant nightlife, with several bustling universities and many cultural attractions. It is amongst the steep and mountainous terrain of this region that some of the world’s top cyclists are found, with Colombians world renowned as the best climbers in racing. As a result, cycling is very popular in Colombia. Bogota originated a programme called Ciclovia, where every Sunday the main streets of Colombia’s largest cities close down to allow citizens to hit the streets in bicycles, rollerblades and running shoes.
Colombia has a stronger cultural association with the USA than most other countries in South America. This can be seen in Cartagena, a colonial city that lies on the northern coast of the country where the climate is hot and humid and typical of a Caribbean beach town. Across the entire coastal region, baseball fields are found everywhere and cheering from nightly matches can be heard in the air. Both men and women play baseball – and various forms like softball and kickball. Check out the YOUTUBE VIDEO that Why Sport Matters shot from a night game. In addition, this region also produces some great boxers, not to mention some notable football players including the legendary Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama (see photo which is evidence to his continuing popularity).
Why Sport Matters timed a visit to Medellin for the 2010 South American Games, a multi-sport competition for the continent that takes place every four years. Medellin is a stunning city of 3 million wedged in a valley between 2 mountain ridges. The city has been plagued in recent history from the time of the drug traffickers and the notorious Medellin drug cartel (see Pablo Escobar), and years of violence. But the city is transforming itself through investment in the city and engaging its citizens to get involved. City planners are using these South American Games as part of this resurrection and change in identity, and Why Sport Matters made the above video report to capture a bit of this amazing story. Some of the stories of these Games are fascinating: free entrance to all sporting events, a closing ceremony conducted in the open street (also free to the citizens), and an athlete village built in the middle of one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, where local families will move into the apartments following the Games.
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