Clarke and Dawe (palliative care after extraordinary meeting at #DUD)

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 19, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Growth first. Then these other things can be dealt with, whatever they are.
“Joe Hockey, Australian Treasurer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 20/11/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 12, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – A Busy Time at the Great Hall as We Prepare for Guests
“Tony Abbott. Prime Minister of Australia” Originally aired on ABC TV: 13/11/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Nov 5, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – The G20 explained
“Godfrey Marketz, Economic strategist.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 06/11/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Oct 15, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – International Diplomacy. A Users Guide.
“Rowan Machine, a resident of Albury.” Originally aired on ABC TV: 16/10/2014

ClarkeAndDawe Published on Sep 17, 2014
Clarke and Dawe – Des is Eliminated Here But at Least he Isn’t at Work.
“Mr Desmond Traction. Fear Maintenance Officer” Originally aired on ABC TV: 18/09/2014

http://www.mrjohnclarke.com | http://www.twitter.com/mrjohnclarke | http://www.facebook.com/ClarkeAndDawe

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Sao Paulo: Arena Corinthians (Itaquerão) crane collapse

Arena Corinthians – Itaquerão Costing $360 million, the Sao Paulo stadium will seat nearly 70,000 people. The crane collapse may have been caused by unstable soil after a rain storm. [Image: @FutebolnoPonto]

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### 3News Thursday 28 Nov 2013 5:41a.m.
Two dead in World Cup stadium collapse
By Tales Azzoni and Stan Lehman
Part of the stadium that will host the 2014 World Cup opener collapsed Wednesday, killing two workers and aggravating already urgent concerns Brazil won’t be ready for soccer’s signature tournament.
The accident at the Arena Corinthians, known locally as the Itaquerao, could hardly have come at a worse time – just a week ahead of the draw that will determine the tournament’s schedule and with the top names in soccer all descending on Brazil.
The stadium was nearly finished before the collapse, which occurred when a construction crane crashed into a 500-ton metal structure. That structure then cut through the outer walls of the venue, destroying part of the outside of the building and rows of seats and slamming into a giant LED panel that runs across the stadium’s facade. AP
Read more + Video

[Images: businessinsider.com.au]

[updated] ### 3News Thursday 28 Nov 2013 8:47p.m.
Deadly crash puts light on Brazils WCup troubles
With one thunderous crash, Brazil’s troubled preparations for the World Cup are thrown in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, just as soccer gears up for the high-profile setting of the schedule for next year’s big event.
The newspaper Estado de S. Paulo said public prosecutors had previously pointed to 50 irregularities at the venue, including some related to emergency drills. AP
Read more

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### 3News Thursday 28 Nov 2013 10:34a.m.
Past problems at Brazil World Cup, Olympic Stadiums
A look at problems suffered by some of the stadiums being built or renovated for the 2014 Football World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Architect: Zaha Hadid —Al Wakrah Stadium, Qatar

[zaha-hadid.com]

“The stadium will have a gross capacity of 40,000. The top-tiers of the stadium will be modular, allowing the stadium’s capacity to be lowered to 20,000.”

### zaha-hadid.com 18 November 2013
Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee unveils concept design for Al Wakrah Stadium

AL WAKRAH, QATAR: 16 November 2013 – The Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee today unveiled the new concept design for Al Wakrah Stadium. AECOM, in association with Zaha Hadid Architects, have developed the new, innovative design under the guidance of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee. Al Wakrah – famous for its fishing and seafaring heritage – is the proposed southern-most Host City for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Read more + slideshow

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[thedailyshow.com]

“Designed by famed architect Zaha Hadid whose signature style appears to be making some of the world’s most f**kable buildings…like Georgia O’Keeffe of things you can walk inside…I guess maybe it is time things evened out a bit.” –Jon Stewart

Unnecessary Muffness Originally aired at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 19 Nov 2013). Qatar erects one of the world’s most f**kable soccer stadiums in preparation for the 2022 World Cup, but Al Madrigal can’t even find the press box. (04:56)

█ Video: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/q9k5o3/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-unnecessary-muffness

Comments at Archinect blog:
Unnecessary Muffness; Jon Stewart discusses Zaha’s “f**kable buildings”

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Ratepayers, another windfall —Fifa under-20 World Cup 2015

### ODT Online Thu, 15 Aug 2013
Dunedin to host FIFA U-20 World Cup games
Dunedin will be a host venue for the biggest football tournament to be held in New Zealand.
Forsyth Barr Stadium will host games in the 2015 Fifa world under-20 tournament, organisers confirmed today. Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, New Plymouth, Wellington and Whangarei are also hosting games. Read more

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Wow. The Spooks have worked overtime on this release, fired by opinion (and even a footnote of purpose) —not, ratepayer budgets.

Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Dunedin Confirmed as a Host City for FIFA’s Second Biggest Tournament

This item was published on 15 Aug 2013.

With just under two years until kick off in the first match of the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015, FIFA and the New Zealand Football Local Organising Committee (LOC) have confirmed that Dunedin will play a significant role in the tournament.
Dunedin will host seven matches altogether, including a Round of 16 clash (the round before the quarter finals). All of the games will be played under the roof of Otago Stadium.
The naming of Dunedin as a host city followed a robust selection process where a total of 7 successful cities were named – Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Whangarei, Christchurch and New Plymouth.
Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull is delighted the city will be participating in one of world football’s premier events.

“This is a wonderful outcome for the city and will be a great opportunity to showcase Dunedin to players, officials and supporters. Hosting 2011 Rugby World Cup matches in Dunedin means we are well equipped to deal with another high-profile international event. We can build on what we learnt hosting RWC matches and will be working closely with Football South and other stakeholders to ensure we get the maximum effect from the event and give visitors to the city a fantastic welcome.”

Mr Cull says the city has negotiated excellent value for the ratepayers with FIFA although the terms of the arrangement will remain confidential at this time.

“Due to the considerable work done by staff, we are confident it is a sound investment.”

Darren Burden, CEO, Dunedin Venues, the company which operates Otago Stadium, is thrilled Dunedin will feature in the tournament.

“Our Stadium is an ideal football venue for players and spectators alike and, with the internationally significant scale of this event, it’s a privilege to host top class football under the roof. This announcement reinforces the importance of having an outstanding venue as a draw card to host international sporting events. I think we’re all in for a sporting spectacular in 2015.”

As for Rugby World Cup 2011, Dunedin’s Stadium will be known as Otago Stadium for the lead up to and duration of the tournament to meet FIFA’s clean sponsorship rules.
Matthew Holdridge, Chair of the FootballSouth Board, says, “On behalf of all the players, supporters, and administrators in the FootballSouth region, I would like to express our delight at the fantastic news Dunedin will host seven matches at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“This is a major event for our Football Federation, one that, if we missed, may not have come around again in our lifetime. I know our football community is keen to be part of this event. FootballSouth will be working closely with FIFA and the Local Organising Committee to ensure our 7,800 affiliated football members and the wider community gets as many opportunities as possible to engage with the event and the teams playing at Otago Stadium.”

Dave Beeche, CEO FIFA U-20 World Cup 2015, is full of praise for all of the cities that were involved in the bidding process and feels that having access to a covered stadium adds significantly to the tournament.

“We’d like to thank all of the cities that put in a bid to host matches for their work over the last year to get to this point. The feedback from FIFA was very positive following the recent site inspection tour and they are looking forward to a highly successful tournament in 2015. With the tournament being played during the winter, it’s fantastic to have a full covered stadium as it means we’ll have ideal pitch conditions and visitors will have another good reason to head south. The FIFA delegates were very impressed with Otago Stadium and see the roof as a major benefit given the timing of the tournament. To have seven stunning venues locked in nearly two years out from the first match gives us a great planning timeframe and we’ll use all of it to ensure that a standout event is delivered. This tournament has a huge global following and that’s the opportunity we have with this event – to deliver exposure for New Zealand and host regions, both directly during the tournament and via a massive international television audience. With the world’s best footballing talent on display and stadiums full of colour, noise, and atmosphere, it will be a new experience for New Zealand that everyone will want to be a part of.”

Altogether the tournament will host 24 national teams, include 52 matches, and will run for three weeks from 30 May until 20 June 2015. This is during the local football season, which will provide a great opportunity for the sport’s large youth playing base to be inspired by the world’s best players. With an average of three goals scored per game in the last three FIFA U-20 World Cup tournaments this will be dynamic, exciting football at its best.
The tournament will be broadcast to more than 100 countries and a global television audience of more than 170 million people[1], providing exposure for the tournament, the host cities, and New Zealand on a massive scale. It is estimated more than 7,000 overseas fans will pour into New Zealand for the tournament and to support their teams.

FIFA Factsheet (PDF, 188.2 KB)

[1] Based on the FIFA U-20 World Cup Columbia 2011 Television Audience Report produced for FIFA TV by KantraSport

Contact Mayor of Dunedin on 477 4000.

DCC Link

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Related Posts and Comments:
25.10.12 Council bid lacks cost/benefit analysis: Fifa under-20 World Cup 2015
7.12.11 D Scene: Cull and councillors captured by Fifa bid, it will cost

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

*Image: tourismnewzealand.com – NZ U20 WC logo

Debate over new stadium

CHRISTCHURCH —This means to see the All Blacks play at home against the best opposition, we have to build a stadium that is almost double the size of what we really need just for one event per annum.

Christchurch Stadium concept by architect Thom Craig of AMO Design

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The former chief executive of the council-owned VBase events management operation, now working in the private sector, offers his perspective on the debate about a new stadium for Christchurch.

### stuff.co.nz Last updated 08:39 10/05/2013
Opinion
‘Boutique’ stadium a better option
By Bryan Pearson
I follow the various discussions around stadiums and venues with interest, and thought that the following might help inform that debate. The most recent issue to surface in this debate is about co-location versus integration. If we are simply co-locating other facilities like offices, hotels, and so on, adjacent to the stadium (as shown in the design where there are standalone buildings at each end of the stadium itself) then, while it will add life and activity to the stadium precinct, it will have little if any impact on the stadium business case.

If we are talking about integrated facilities and design which reduce the cost of building the stadium and/or deliver non-event regular income streams for the same cost/investment, then it will improve the stadium business case.

The latter sounds attractive until you start to consider the operational challenges of fully integrated facilities where the 24/7 tenants are effectively displaced on event days. Of course, then there is the issue of supply and demand for commercial office space and accommodation. Already we are seeing large city fringe commercial developments (Victoria St, Lincoln Rd). Then there is the central city where some developments are under way but many developers are already struggling to build the business case due to high costs of construction and soft demand once you get beyond about $400 per square metre.
So where will office space adjacent to the stadium fit in a market which is already showing signs of weakness and over-supply? The reality is the only thing that truly impacts on stadium viability is commercial event days.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

DCC: Carisbrook pristine. Portobello Domain playing fields lack upkeep!

### ODT Online Sun, 7 Apr 2013
Anger over rabbit holes on Domain
By Tim Miller
Coaches and parents of players at the Hereweka Junior Football Club are livid the Portobello Domain is still not in any condition for games to be played there, with the start of the season only two days away.
None of the Hereweka Junior teams have been scheduled to play at the ground this weekend. A spokeswoman for FootballSouth said there had not been any instructions from the Dunedin City Council to move games away from the ground, and it was only by chance no games were to be played there this week.

All sports grounds in Dunedin were visited by contractors regularly but the council also had to look at prioritising grounds which got the most use.
–Lisa Wheeler, DCC parks manager

As reported in The Star last month, the club was given assurances by the Dunedin City Council that the ground would be ready and prepared by the start of the season, after it had been damaged by rabbits during the summer.
Read more

Previously, via The Star:
24.3.13 Rabbits rip into domain

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4.4.13 Rob Hamlin first notes the return of Rugby goal posts at Carisbrook with this comment.
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

Council bid lacks cost/benefit analysis: Fifa under-20 World Cup 2015

Interesting. DCC and DVML aren’t sharing information on the cup bid. General manager Sue Bidrose looks like a fool again (perhaps she is), and Darren is Darren. Nevertheless, all councillors are responsible for the lack of a full cost/benefit analysis.

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### ODT Online Thu, 25 Oct 2012
Code clash with cash implications
By Chris Morris
The Highlanders could be kicked for touch, and the company running the Forsyth Barr Stadium left out of pocket, if Dunedin secures a share of hosting rights for the Fifa under-20 World Cup in 2015. That was because Fifa required exclusive use of all tournament venues, beginning 10 days before each venue’s first match and continuing until a day after the last match, tournament organising committee interim project manager Peter O’Hara said. That could mean a clash between Fifa’s tournament and the Super 15 rugby competition at stadiums around New Zealand, as the two tournaments would overlap.

[Dunedin Venues Management Ltd chief executive Darren Burden] did not yet know the details of Dunedin’s bid, which was being handled by the Dunedin City Council, but hoped “sensible solutions could be found”.

The council was expected to contribute up to $450,000 towards Fifa’s tournament costs if its bid was successful, but council city strategy and development manager Sue Bidrose said that was if the city won the right to host a number of matches, including the final. The cost could be reduced if the city’s bid was only partially successful, but the true cost – including lost revenue if other stadium events were disrupted – was not known, she said.
Read more

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

What won’t get printed on ORT’s front page (pssst, about the Albatross…….)

UPDATED POST June 10, 2012 at 7:10 pm

A response at ODT Online.

Ahem
Submitted by farsighted on Sat, 09/06/2012 – 5:58pm.

There have been 18 major events since the stadium opened in August 2011. So it’s not “weekend in, weekend out”; on average it’s less than one a fortnight.

For the grand opening: around 650 (no hire fee); North Otago game: about 7500 (hire fee written off as bad debt to ORFU); Canterbury game: 14067 (hire fee written off); RWC: 4 games, attendance 30700, 25687, 20117, 28027 (no hire fee paid due to arrangement with RWC2011, cost to city $400K); Phoenix game 1: 15000; Phoenix game 2: 4628; Otago United games: 3 games at around 250 per game; Elton John: 35500 (no hire fee paid); Super Rugby: 5 games, attendance 22500, 17670, 18417, 18207, 14967.

Total attendance: 234337; Average attendance: 15240; Total cost of opening: 5 events at $30K, 13 events at $100K = $1.45M; Hire fees paid: 7 events out of 18; Total written off: $800K; Total cost to the city: $2.25M or $10/person (operating cost only).

These figures are useful to project what needs to happen for DVML to break even. They need to do that on approximately 300K visitors, 26 events per year. One event per fortnight is $2.8 million in operating costs, plus DVML’s $2M or so administration costs and the $5M or so they need to pay DVL, so they need revenue of about $30-$50 per visitor. At the moment, the average ticket price is around $20/person (student tickets sell at around $12 each), or a shortfall of $4M, which squares with the reported figures.

Read full comment

Plus one: Big Night In – around 20,000 visitors (zero income); in addition to the $100K opening costs, DCC paid [$70K] for the event to take place.
(ODT Link)

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SPREADSHEET
Supplied. Entries verifiable from public sources. It may be possible in most cases to report the ticket prices for sales via Ticket Direct website for past events.

stadium-event-attendance1 (21.5 KB)

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

D Scene: Cull and councillors captured by Fifa bid, it will cost

Front page news, the mayor fancies spending more ratepayer funds on stadium events (he’s smiling, after all). Like Rugby World Cup, though, the events will deliver profits to very few local businesses and almost nothing to council coffers. Your mayor isn’t an economist, it’s hard sticking to a household budget.

Register to read D Scene online at
http://fairfaxmedia.newspaperdirect.com/

### D Scene 7-12-11
“Having a ball?” (page 1)
Dunedin is planning an ambitious pitch for games in the 2015 Fifa under-20 Football World Cup, Mayor Dave Cull says – including a bid to host the final. See page 3. #bookmark

Millions would see Dunedin (page 3)
By Wilma McCorkindale
The tournament will bring 24 countries and 52 games to New Zealand and is the most prestigious international football event next to the senior men’s FIFA World Cup. The tournament is broadcast to about 500 million television viewers in more than 200 countries […] Category 1 hosting could cost the city up to $1 million in cash and “in kind” resources, such as traffic and crowd management, infrastructure, and services.
{continues} #bookmark

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“This further bailout of the ORFU, a private entertainment business, is an abuse of ratepayer funds.” -Bev Butler

New stadium agreement another ORFU bailout (page 4)
By Wilma McCorkindale
Ratepayer advocate Bev Butler is outraged the Dunedin City Council was left out of contract discussions between its venue company and the Otago Rugby Football Union [ORFU]. Councillors able to be contacted this week confirmed they had no idea Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) and the ORFU were combining services at Forsyth Barr Stadium […] Most contacted supported the contract, saying it made commercial sense.
{continues} #bookmark

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Editorial: City needs return on investments in rugby (page 7)
Mike Houlahan says “it stretches belief that rugby follows on from rubbish and roading as core business for council”.
{continues} #bookmark

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

New stadium frenzy (heaven)

In the wake of the decision to hand the 2018 and 2022 world cups to virtual footballing minnows (with all respect to Russia), the race is on to design and build a plethora of new stadia.

Thankfully The Telegraph from the UK has a nice feature on the stadiums either under development, redevelopment or still in the planning stage.

Firstly, FIFA Football World Cup 2018 Russia

and

are just two examples from the winning Russian bid.

While these are from the Qatari winning bid for the FIFA 2022 winning bid (basically the bid I was hoping that was going to Australia).

As soon as I get a chance to get more details of these stadium projects I’ll post more.

Post by Paul Le Comte

Qatar football stadiums

Tweet:

@wired Qatar has some insane soccer stadiums planned for the 2022 World Cup. via @wiredplaybook: http://wrd.tw/hk4fRb

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Post by Elizabeth Kerr

All Whites and the stadium…

### ODT Online Sat, 28 Aug 2010
Football: Keen to keep the ball rolling
By Steve Hepburn
New Zealand Football boss Frank van Hattum says the sport has had a year of absolute excitement but it will not be easy to maintain that momentum.

He also confirmed the new Forsyth Barr Stadium was definitely in the mix to host All Whites games… Van Hattum visited the Forsyth Barr Stadium yesterday and said it would be a fantastic asset for Dunedin. “It has every chance in the world of hosting an All Whites game. It is a possibility when everything is up and running.”

Read more

Post by Elizabeth Kerr

UNStudio – Dalian Football Stadium, Dalian, China, 2009

### Arch Daily 07 Oct 2009
New Dalian Shide FC Stadium / UNStudio
By Karen Cilento
After winning a limited competition, UNStudio will move forward with their design of a 38,500 m2 stadium for the Dalian Shide FC, China’s most successful club in the Chinese Super League. The new stadium will be located in the Shide’s hometown of Dalian, on the southern tip of Liaodong peninsula.

Working with the idea of layering and overlapping, an aesthetic deeply rooted in ancient Chinese cuju football, Ben van Berkel has created a stadium where the articulation of the structure and its openings and overlapping moments serve as “the starting point for visitor experience”.
The stadium will accommodate approximately 40,000 spectators in addition to providing areas for TV broadcasting, administration, VIP lounge, players’ facilities and two training fields. A public concourse in a layered envelope extends on ground level to provide outdoor public areas that rest above the parking facilities.
Read more + photos

█ UNStudio website http://www.unstudio.com/

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

New urban stadiums: not straight forward

In lands far away…more stadium debate, issues we share and those we don’t…

greatergreaterwashington.org Feb 18, 2009 9:03 am
How to create a successful urban stadium
by Cavan Wilk

DC United intends to build a new 24,000 seat stadium in Prince George’s County. This is a golden opportunity for our region to gain another vibrant, regional, walkable, urban, Metro-adjacent, transit-oriented development. Except on game days, stadiums have been centres of un-activity for the past sixty years. However, they don’t need to be like that and haven’t always been that way. In fact, with proper design and context, they can be major activity centres. Equally important, they can serve as anchors of vibrant neighbourhoods that generate tax revenue in perpetuity.
Read more

(Feb 18, 2009 10:59 am) In reply to the post Mike licht says: “I recall reading that the “most successful” publicly-funded stadiums return taxes at the rate of the average veterinary clinic.”

Cavan Wilk became interested in the physical layout and economic systems of modern human settlements while working on his Master’s in Financial Economics. His writing often focuses on the interactions between a place’s form, its economic systems, and the experiences of those who live in them. He lives in Wheaton, Maryland.

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The two stadium proposals before city council are about more than sports. They’re about building Ottawa…

### Ottawa Citizen April 6, 2009
Back to the beginning on a new stadium
By David Reevely

We’ve got a really strong package of reporting on the competing stadium proposals in Tuesday’s paper [see below], but here are some quick preliminary thoughts.

The [city] staff report is three quick slaps across the face for anyone who’s been getting starry-eyed about the prospects for rebuilding Frank Clair Stadium at Lansdowne or putting up a new soccer venue in Kanata. The Kanata stadium is by far the simpler and easier one for the city, and probably the more profitable, but it doesn’t happen to solve the city’s immediate problem … which is what to do with Lansdowne.

This ain’t gonna be cheap, no matter how much we might wish it were, and lots of cities have gotten themselves deep into trouble by pretending they can build great big things without having it hurt.
Read more

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The following story attracted 91 comments…

### Ottawa Citizen April 7, 2009
Lansdowne proposal scores higher, but council must decide if we need a stadium at all, city report says
By Jake Rupert and Patrick Dare

Monday was not a good day at city hall for two private-sector proposals for developments that include outdoor stadiums.

A much-anticipated city staff report found going with either could cost taxpayers big — $150 million over 30 years, including borrowing costs for just a stadium, and up to $300 million over the same period if extras aimed at public use are added. The numbers are higher than expected and gave sticker shock to some city council members, who must now decide what to do.
Read more

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### Ottawa Citizen April 15, 2009
Why a stadium matters
By Maria Cook

City council is poised to decide which of the two stadium proposals to endorse. Both will cost millions and affect the shape of Ottawa for decades to come. The Citizen reviews the proposals and explains why the buildings are more than just sports facilities.
Read more

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### tsn.com 4/19/2009 2:36:45 PM
The Sports Network (Canadian Television): Blogs
Suitor: What’s to debate over two Ottawa Stadium Proposals?
By Glen Suitor

It seems like the debate has gone on for months. In Ottawa, everyone and his brother have weighed in on the two stadium proposals that are currently awaiting a decision from city council. If you don’t live in the Ottawa area, I’ll outline the short versions of the two plans…
Read more

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Eugene Melnyk expresses profound disappointment in failure of Council to share his vision for a world-class open-air stadium

### OttawaSenators.com Apr 22, 2009, 6:32 PM EDT
Melnyk issues statement to City Council and citizens of Ottawa

Senators Sports & Entertainment owner Eugene Melnyk issued the following statement to City Council and the citizens of Ottawa:

“A full and proper revitalisation of Lansdowne Park and the construction of a new open-air stadium are both defining, city-building priorities for Ottawa. Both represent powerful and necessary catalysts to drive our economy, bolster civic pride and define Ottawa as a world-class city.”

We all need to keep in mind that stadiums represent a challenging business model. If it were easy, our city wouldn’t be wrestling with the stadium predicament it currently faces… Stadiums are complex businesses requiring an arsenal of very specialised expertise with an understanding of the long game.

“Today’s decisions by Council suggests its first priority is to take action and deliver meaningful steps towards an appropriate community-focused revitalisation and greening of Lansdowne Park… And while I continue to disagree with the strategic placement of a stadium at Lansdowne Park adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage designated Rideau Canal, I have too much passion for this city to stand in the way of a project that will create positive and significant change.”
Read more

Poor Crowd Indeed

In response to Sam, his poor sources and his stereotypes.

without wanting to disappoint you, I am very much not a”Rugby Union Type”, my first love is Football – the beautiful game – the worlds game, my second love is that most English of games with whites and a little shiny red ball, my third sport would be Baseball, fourth Ice Hockey, fifth American Football then Rugby and Darts more or less equal. Dang where does F1 fit in there?

But once again stereotypical assumptions are very easy to create when debating this stadium project. Imagine my disappointment when I saw the design of the stadium that didn’t include cricket.

NZ may bid for 2015 women's soccer World Cup

From the NZ Herald

The first moves in New Zealand’s bid to host Fifa’s 2015 Women’s World Cup could come as early as next month.

New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading said “future strategy” was on the agenda for next month’s board meeting. The idea of considering such a bid had, he admitted yesterday, gained momentum in light of the success of the Under-17 Women’s World Cup.

At a pre-under-17 tournament interview when asked whether a successful age group tournament here could lead to “bigger and better” with the 2015 Cup an obvious target, Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke said he could see no reason why not.