Listening to Martin Sneddon this morning, talking about the Rugby World Cup in 2011 reminded me of the lady, just a week or so ago, who was raving on to me about Rugby and particularly the Rugby World Cup.
This vitriolic spinster seemed to think Rugby was the root cause of all New Zealand’s ills and she stated she was sick and tired of hearing about the World Cup and the enormous cost that New Zealand was going to incur to host it.
Let me put this poor demented soul right.
The Rugby World Cup, to be held in New Zealand in 2011, is the biggest promotional opportunity that this country has ever had. It will put New Zealand on the world stage in a way no other event has ever done. The tens of millions of dollars that the government is putting in to this project is not an expense, it is an investment. It is an investment in our future and the wellbeing of generations to come.
Here in New Zealand we look around at our magnificent scenery and say of course we are a tourist destination, just look at what we have got to offer. But the fact remains that there is a very large number of people in the world who have no idea that we exist. Even in reasonably affluent countries – the United States is a good example – where interestingly Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports – in many parts of the States they have no idea where New Zealand is. Most have heard of it but many think it is part of England or by South Africa or somewhere near Australia.
The Rugby World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand to raise its profile in the world.
And don’t forget the benefits all the domestic activity around the Cup brings to your community. At a time of high unemployment, the building of new stands, replacing lighting, upgrading of the infrastructure needed for such an enormous event, all provide much needed jobs for Kiwis.
This Rugby World Cup will benefit New Zealand in direct relation to the effort each and every one of us puts into supporting it. So lets get behind those who are working so hard to bring this event to New Zealand – it is very much in the interests of all of us to do so.
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