Monday, 29 April 2013

Random Ramblings


So many sporting events this week. So many random thoughts going through my head. So I thought I should comment on all of them, here and now.

Atmos
Over the past week I’ve attended two sporting events. One I’d describe as semi-professional; the other undoubtedly amateur. But both of these events had one key thing in common; a fantastic atmosphere.

Firstly, the amateurs. On ANZAC Day I was a spectator at the already boggy Lyndhurst Park in Tawa near Wellington to witness the local rugby derby between Tawa and Northern United. There was one former top level player – former Hurricane Api Naikatini, one or two players having played at the next level down – Wellington Lion Dean Brunsdon – and one or two up and comers – in particular the impressive first five eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop who is one year out of Scots College. But the majority of the players were, as is the case with the majority of club rugby these days, young players who more than likely will never progress beyond that level.

But with the exception of kicking expertise (why can so few club players kick properly? There were far too many skewed spirals heading into the stream adjoining the park) the skills on show were actually really good. And what transpired was a fast, entertaining game that resulted in something that is missing at almost all fixtures at Westpac Stadium this year – a buzz.

I didn’t count them but I’d estimate there were no more than 250-300 spectators. But the noise generated by both sets of fans meant it was often difficult to tell whose home game it was. And the players seemingly fed off this energy to produce even more scintillating moments (including a fantastic Benji Marshall-esque back flick resulting in a long-range try to Norths).  My kids were about as interested in the game as they are in any programme that screens on the Living Channel , it was getting cold and my team (Norths) were losing. But despite all this, I stayed till the end of the game (sorry kids) and would happily go along again next time. Why? Because there was a good sized crowd (for club rugby anyway) and a great atmosphere.

Then on Friday night came, what I would describe as anyway, the semi-professionals (although, I have no idea what a player at this level would earn) of the National Basketball League. The Wellington Saints were hosting the ‘The Good Home Taranaki Mountain Airs’. I’ll be honest – one of the main reasons we were there in the first place was because we had secured season tickets at a fantastic price. We walked in about 15 minutes before kick-off (or is that tip-off??) and the place was a) packed – at least 90% full and b) absolutely pumping. 

There was music, the players were warming up and there was a DJ from a local radio station MC’ing the whole event. And that’s exactly what it felt like - an event. The game was more often than not fast-paced and electric, the players seemingly feeding off the energy created by the attentive and excited crowd.

Breaks in proceedings were filled with music, dancers, DJ’s, a gorilla, basketballs tossed into the masses and kit-kats thrown into the crowd in a manner that seemed to prove that lolly scrambles should never have been banned. Not related in any way, but the old classic schoolyard pastime of bullrush needs a reprieve too. Some basic rules (no spear tackles, no high tackles, no deliberate ripping of buttons on the school shirt, compulsory transition to a game of touch if a teacher appears nearby) would suffice and kids would once more be able to enjoy this rite of passage to adulthood.

But I digress. Let’s analyse this Saints package. Well-priced tickets, plenty of entertainment throughout and teams that fed off the energy of an engaged and thoroughly entertained crowd. Although the food and drink could certainly be cheaper, I for one will certainly be back for more.

Without wishing to repeat myself, Wellington Rugby Union and Welnix please take note!  Make the tickets cheap as chips. And while you’re at it, charge less for the chips. Kick a few rugby or soccer balls into the crowd (back in the day Captain Hurricane used to do just that while piloting his mini plane around then touchline). Get some atmosphere and the fans will start to return.

Top of the Class
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to produce your own performance review at work? Or your own exam results at school? That’s the case for the NZ Rugby Union who, in their 2012 Annual Report, have self-awarded a mark of 87%. I have no problem with most of the ‘results’. Except for one; they self-scored just under 80% under the heading ‘Outstanding Competitions’.

Although there are numerous contributors to this category, the main ones are surely Super 15 and the ITM Cup. Both competitions have seen dramatically reduced crowds. And the Cup formerly known as the NPC, which was once the flagship competition, is in real danger of being considered a second rate development competition full of up-and-comers or players who are not generally good enough to step up to the next level.  So, pretty much like the Sevens circuit.

Sideline Guy’s marking would say ‘50%. Must do better next term.’

Advantage, Contact
Watching two consecutive ANZ Championship netball games on Sunday night was like watching the substance used to write on blackboards versus watching food made from the pressed curds of milk (chalk versus cheese).

The first game was an all-Australian match-up between the Queensland Firebirds and the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The T-birds have a defender named Bulley. And a bully she was. She spent an awful lot of time and effort battering giant Jamaican shooter Carla Borego. And she wasn’t the only one as there were more collisions than a night at Te Marua or Western Springs. 

The second all Kiwi affair between the Pulse and the Magic was still a full-on match-up, it just didn’t have the same level of bashing and colliding.

Aussie umpires seemingly have little problem with this approach, while umpires from other countries are far less lenient. And that’s the problem. As soon as rules in any sport allow umpires or referees to rule subjectively in any way, that’s the start of a slippery slope to dissatisfaction and confusion for both players and spectators alike. The powers that be need to make a statement and, if that’s the way they want to go, change the rules. As it stands now, contact is contact. It’s against the rules of netball and accordingly should be penalised. If some level of contact is now deemed appropriate, just say so and teams can change tactics accordingly.

A Quick Bite
Luis Suarez. For those who don’t know that name, he plays football in the Barclays Premier League for the MIGHTY Liverpool Football Club. This week, obviously feeling extremely frustrated at being so closely marked he decided to have a quick nibble on an opposition player’s arm.

Suarez is a brilliant player as evidenced by his 30 goals this season. There’s no question about that. But there is a fairly substantial question over his temperament – he actually bit another opponent three years ago. When under pressure he is a few sandwiches short of a picnic. A burger short of a combo. The elevator doesn’t go to the top floor. The mall is open but nobody’s shopping. Ok, you know what I mean.

Biting an opponent is reprehensible. A ban is justified. But 10 games? What damage was really done? Even the British Prime Minister has weighed in to give his view that Suarez is effectively the devil incarnate. So next time a football defender deliberately goes over the top of the ball and breaks the leg of an attacker, what will the penalty be? It should be more than 10 games, shouldn’t it? But it won’t be. Not unless it’s Luis Suarez, that is.

Unfortunately for us Reds fans, Suarez has I believe become more of a liability than an asset and probably needs to go. What a shame.

We have a Pulse
And finally; go the Pulse!  Wellington’s entrant in netball’s ANZ Championship has started to come of age this year, culminating in a first ever win over last year’s champions the Magic on Sunday night.

The big test for the Pulse will be next week in Melbourne. Better get out those shoulder pads and mouthguards, girls!

Till next time,
SG

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