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Sunday, Sun, 11 MayMay 2025
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From Afar: Constant battle to be more than a flash in the pan

When are teams a flash in the pan or a phenomenon?

Four New Zealand teams have captured media attention recently for beating the odds and for demonstrating a high work ethic, making them the current darlings and dudes of Kiwi sport.

The Football Ferns drew with Mexico against the run of play in the dying minutes of the game, which gave them their first point at a World Cup event.

As we all know, the All Whites were praised for being the only team not to lose at the recent Fifa World Cup for men, so let us also acknowledge the efforts of the women.

The Black Sticks women's team also exceeded Sparc's expectations and their own when they finished in third place at the Champions Trophy tournament in Amsterdam.

Like the geeky kid who finally becomes popular, the Black Sticks apparently had tournament invitations coming out of their ears before they even left the grounds.

The players won't be leaning on their sticks basking in the afterglow of a great tournament outcome. Instead they'll be putting their nose to the astro-turf, representing their provinces in the national hockey league.

Then it's off to the United States in September, and Hobart in October. They'll have a well-earned but short reprieve in November and December before regrouping in January for the Four Nations tournament and Champions Trophy.

As part of their Olympic build-up they'll play 20 to 25 games from January through to the end of July. If funding was allocated on work ethic, this team deserves every cent of Sparc and NZOC funding it gets! I'm exhausted just typing all of that.

Another team that works hard for their money (and national pride) is the Silver Ferns, who must play six games in seven days at the world championships in Singapore, where the No 1 sport is shopping.

Despite the heat in Singapore, it's great to see the Silver Ferns chose not to pose for the "hot bods" photo shoot featured in the local paper. Apparently, none of the players volunteered to wear a crop top for the promotion, which was all about looks rather than athletic ability.

I'm so proud of the players.

They're not in Singapore for a Next Top Model photo shoot - they're there to shoot goal after goal and demolish other teams on the way to the final.

I've mentioned three women's teams, but I haven't forgotten about the men. One team continues to perform to a clinically high standard, game after game, despite all of the obstacles it has had to overcome.

The Crusaders would have to be the champions of the Canterbury spirit and role models for any athlete or team doing a lesson on mental toughness and focus.

The Crusaders undid the Stormers on their home turf with fewer errors, a better kicking game, individual brilliance, and dominant set pieces. Young and old heads in the team gel together when they have to in order to create the tried and trusted Crusaders brand.

Which brings me back to the question: what is the difference between a flash in the pan and a phenomenon? A flash in the pan is someone who enjoys transient success but then fails. In popular usage, a phenomenon refers to an extraordinary event.

Perhaps it is a bit harsh to refer to teams such as the Football Ferns and Black Sticks as flash in the pans. They have performed extraordinarily well in their respective tournaments, but they are yet to demonstrate they can do this on a consistent basis.

The Silver Ferns and Crusaders, on the other hand, regularly demonstrate they are a force to be reckoned with.

Wouldn't it be great to see not one but two extraordinary events this weekend? I'm all for an overdose of the extraordinary, and the more extraordinary sports teams we have the better. Kia kaha, kia waimarie.

 

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