https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/84757441/on-the-ball-football-by-the-numbers--popularity-surges-among-youth-and-women
You see, from the grassroots upwards, New Zealand is slowly ditching rugby in favour of football. Or if you prefer Soccer. But only Americans call it that. So please don’t.
This many not be the earthshaking news that you were expecting but it’s something, and it’s real. Well as real as I can make out. In the short space of four years since we arrived on these shores, perhaps imperceptibly at first, local kids are swapping the incomprehensible for the comprehensible. Yes the Beautiful Game is coming to New Zealand so you’d better watch out! Or watch it at least! You won’t regret it.
So why are kids and young adults turning their attention to football? It’s a good question. Maybe it’s because it’s much simpler and easier to play as a small group? All you need is a ball and a couple of jumpers for goal posts and you’re away. Or is it because it’s not quite as dangerous and less likely to result in an injury to the head or neck? Or maybe, just maybe, and I’ll say this quietly to avoid causing offence, it’s just a better game? Whatever the reason it’s great to see it taking off and who knows, maybe in ten years New Zealand will be competing regularly on the global stage against the best in the world. Wouldn’t that be something?
It’s fair to say, however, that it’s got a long way to go. For those who are tuned in to world events, you will know that there’s currently a tournament playing across in Russia. Maybe it’s big news where you are? It’s not here. Unless you went looking for it, you wouldn’t have a Scooby. Even bars, usually the first refuge for a football fan, steadfastly refuse to show any of the action. Admittedly, the time difference doesn’t help, with games mostly happening during the night, but what about highlights? For now, the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand is only for the diehards and foolhardy who eschew a decent night’s sleep for some sorely missed football action.
For those that tuned in last night would’ve witnessed another kind of quiet revolution. The sight of an England football team playing as a team and not a collection of over privileged individuals. Under Gareth Southgate’s watchful eye, the England football team are composed, organised and determined. They may not have played the best teams yet, so I’m fully aware that these words may come back to haunt me, but they look world class. World-beaters even, and with the big names all misfiring at the moment, who knows. Maybe “You won’t win anything with kids” but let’s just see.
It’s fair to say that I haven’t wholeheartedly supported an England side since 1990 after which fame and fortune seemed to take the shine off those who appeared in the famous white strip. It just seemed....well a little bit seedy and as if the players were doing us a favour by turning up when they could’ve been lazing about on their yacht. And maybe that’s still the case. But it doesn’t appear to be the way.
Wouldn’t it be great if both New Zealand and the England side under Gareth Southgate prove that there is still joy in football beyond celebrity status, and that skill counts for more than tabloid column inches. The signs are encouraging.
