We have some very good sportspeople in New Zealand who regularly compete at world class level and are among the top names in their respective sports.
First to mind of course are our rugby players, cricketers netballers, hockey players, rowers, middle distance runners and sailors but 'we' also get awards or honourable mentions in golf, tennis, basketball, skiing, motor racing and a host of other sports. It's not bad for a small country with a low population and tiny sporting budgets.
The International Tennis Federation approved the change of citizenship and representation and Sun played in the New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup team for the Asia/Oceania Group One event in China in April. Sun also has claimed the biggest title of her career, winning the $US100,000 World Tennis Tour tournament in Bonita Springs, Florida this month.
I mentioned that New Zealand has a low population . If you don't believe me then here are the latest statistics:
I mentioned that New Zealand has a low population . If you don't believe me then here are the latest statistics:
With a small population and a land mass the size of the United Kingdom, the density of population as measured by the World Bank is shown here:
If that's not clear, here's a graph to explain it (I know that you like graphs):
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The USA bless 'em (as, if those idiots sneeze we all get a cold) has for decades 'stolen' the best athletes and potential athletes and sportspeople from around the world with 'study grants', 'scholarships' and guarantees of citizenship to further their international prowess. Shame on them. In addition to this the level of sports grants, professional training and sheer promotional and advertising benefit has enabled USA sporting teams and individual athletes and performers to 'punch above their weight'. While it was no doubt a post WW2 'Cold War' necessity it, nowadays is a bit of a joke and threatens to undermine the Olympics.
New Zealand and other small countries need to level this playing field. Playing under the flags of lesser countries shouldn't compromise sports people's chances unless there is a serious lack of overseas sponsorship. It hasn't hurt Lydia Ko, Kane Williamson, Israel Adesanya, Chris Wood, Steven Adams, Scott Dixon, Zoi Sadowski and many others.
New Zealand needs to welcome returnees like Lulu Sun and look to ease the path to citizenship for others who wish to make a home here (at first a base) to bring up their families.
12 comments:
Welcome back, I was getting a bit worried about you.
I thought the graphs were serious...so I thought right I'll show him, (afterall I failed statistics three times)!
Interesting that NZ has near zero population growth, what do you expect when 'family planning' kills 14000 New Zealanders every year.
It's also worth considering who is doing the breeding. You have personal experience of this Rob.
Just saying.
Booze, cigarettes, driving, cancer, heart problems and religion kills more each yera.
Yay! The Old Girl's back home.
Oh no! The Old Girl's back home (I'll be tossed out of my study tomorrow).
I'm with Richard on this one. A good percentage of those 14000 if born might die early from domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, crime violence .... oh, they are born (to parents or parent who can't support them and do end up that way.
Remind me (I've been away), how do you access Robert's blog?
Clicking on his name is no bloody use at all. Maybe i'd be better off calling out 'Beetlejuice' or 'Candyman' three times.
What I find interesting is that none of the readers commented (except for Robert, slightly, before he whizzed off at a tangent) on the actual post I wrote which is interesting and has a discussion stimulating theme.
Really, I might as well write about Kim Kardashian's bum.
Maybe write about NZ bass players.
I can't even get back into my blog!
Think I'll downgrade the security a notch.
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