797 days ago

Dubious Dubai

Michael from Trentham

In watching the men's and women's rugby sevens in Dubai, and living in Wellington makes one very frustrated.

Ok, a little history. Wellington Regional Stadium staged a leg of the international sevens tournament for years and though it dwindled in spectator numbers due to a number of fixable factors, upwards of 38,000 people had turned up each day of the two day event.

Then it went to Hamilton and good year-on-year numbers went through their stadium gates.

But now - from the 2023-24 internationals series on into the near future at least, neither Hamilton nor any other part of NZ gets to host the sevens. And yet Dubai hosts the event in conditions that can reach an unhealthy, sticky 40c and with several hundred spectators watching main;y from the back of sub-standard stands in largely less than enthusiastic conditions that are dispossessed of such things as ridiculously dressed-up and/or gentle beer swilling people.

And just now like in many other years, NZ is the world number one in both women's and men's rugby sevens.

I enjoyed the international rugby sevens at our stadium both as a spectator and in the capacity as a volunteer. One year my wife and I dressed up in Fijian garb and sat among the Fijian supporters and thoroughly loved it. Another time we dressed as dignified Indians and that was fun too.

But I wouldn't be travelling to Dubai to watch rugby sevens anytime soon. The international rugby sevens in Dubai is not a joke and of course money is finding its way into the coffers of world rugby though not via the turnstiles of the park used for rugby in that city.

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Local Highlight

23 days ago

Poll: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Wellington’s Te Awe Library on Brandon St will be closing its doors for good at 5 pm on March 1. It’s been the city’s largest temporary library, and now it’s making way for the exciting return of Te Matapihi Central Library!

We want to know: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

Want all the details? The Post has everything you need to know.

Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

46.9% Yes

46.9% Complete
53.1% No

53.1% Complete

286 votes

1 day ago

THE WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY COMMUNITY MARKET IS ON TOMORROW

Gary from Waikanae

WHERE:- Waikanae Beach Community Hall,
22 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach,

WHEN:- Sunday 8 February 10am-1pm

Enjoy a Sunday outing with your family and friends by visiting this great friendly community market where you will discover handmade treasures and local creativity by highly talented stallholders where every piece tells a story.

FOR THE KIDS:-
Bring the kids along so they can meet jane with her quality handmade crochet toys, along with Helen and her huge range of awesome handmade children's dress ups and dolls clothes etc and Viv a local author of Children's Books and an accomplished creator of Pet Portraits.

NEW STALLHOLDERS:-
Viv Walker who writes and illustrates children's books, creates art prints and offers portrait commissions for people and pets will be joining us along with Nicky with her Fresh Flowers.

DISCOVER UNIQUE AND QUALITY ITEMS:-
With Valentines Day fast approaching do your gift shopping at the market where you'll find a huge variety of high-quality, reasonably priced ideas.

MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:-
Meet up with a friend or 2 and enjoy a Sunday outing at this great Community event.

Don't miss it... support local!