On the surface, the idea of major sports events being free-to-air would benefit the majority, so long as that majority is comprised of viewers, but New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has reservations regarding the scheme. The most obvious threat, according to Key, is that Kiwi sports stars would jump to greener pastures in search … Keep Reading “Free-to-Air Sporting Events Have Potential to Send Athletes Packing”

Kiwi cycling great Bruce Biddle, the Warkworth native, had the courage, or perhaps the audacity, to say something that has probably been on the minds of many cycling fans ever since Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France medals for using performance-enhancing drugs and lying about it. Simply distilled, it is this: … Keep Reading “Bruce Biddle Claims Armstrong Scapegoated”

A popular New Zealand jockey and mother of three, Rebecca Black, has died following a fall at Gore racecourse near the final stages of a 2000-metre race on Sunday. She was riding Point Proven at a meeting conducted by the Tapanui Racing Club on the South Island when she and Misscattlecreek, ridden by Terry Moseley, … Keep Reading “New Zealand Jockey Rebecca Black Killed in Gore Racing Accident”

High Performance Sports New Zealand has put its wallet where the metal is, granting the biggest funding increases to the Kiwi sports that had the best showings in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Athletics funding increased by $375,000 as a result of four medals being awarded for those events. Sailing also brought four medals back … Keep Reading “Olympic Medals Equals Funding Boost for Kiwi Athletes”

Jason Taumalolo, along with New Zealand captain Jesse Bromwich and Tohu Harris, is one of three finalists for the award of Kiwis Player of the Year. Taumalolo should be favoured to win, as his name has been connected to a potential code hop to the NFL, the ultimate goal of all rugby players, judging by … Keep Reading “Kiwi Rugby Player of the Year Looks to be Three Man Affair”

New Zealand has its first heavyweight-boxing champ as the result of Joseph Parker earned a narrow WBO victory over Andy Ruiz Jr. in Auckland. The win was by split decision, with two judges giving Parker at 115 – 113 edge and the third calling it a 114 – 114 draw. The 24-year-old Parker initially appeared … Keep Reading “Joseph Parker First Kiwi Heavyweight WBO Boxing Champ”

Auckland City Football Club failed to close the deal in the FIFA Club World Cup playoff in Yokohama, Japan, surrendering an early lead over the Kashima Antlers that resulted in a 2 – 1 defeat for Auckland. The first half of the game and the onset of the second saw a tight tactical battle where … Keep Reading “Auckland City FC Eliminated From FIFA Club World Cup”

It is certainly some measure of the respect in which Australian boxing trainer Johnny Lewis is held when it is learned that he will be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2017 at the same ceremony that will see the induction of four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Lewis is and has been … Keep Reading “Aussie Boxing Trainer Johnny Lewis to be Inducted into WBHOF”

The Saint Helens of Super League will soon be playing at Totally Wicked Stadium after reaching an agreement with the maker of electronic cigarettes on a five-year sponsorship deal. The side has been sponsored by Totally Wicked since 2013, but until now, the stadium was known as Langtree Park. St. Helens chairman Eamonn McManus announced … Keep Reading “Super Rugby Side St Helens to Play in Totally Wicked Venue”

It is awards season, the time of the year where outstanding contributors are recognized for jobs well done in 2016 and perhaps supplying some impetus for similar accomplishment in 2017. In New Zealand, that means the All Blacks, or in the case of the Super Rugby League, the Hurricanes, for which Dane Coles occupied a … Keep Reading “Major 2016 Contributors to New Zealand Rugby”