From afar

Why, despite some top-notch players, is Central Pulse still flat-lining?

Although the Black Caps are getting a lot of media attention in Bangladesh, very little focus is directed at their female counterparts, the White Ferns, who are also competing in the ICC World Twenty20 competition.

Rivalries in sport capture our attention, and there is no denying the showdown between shot putters Jacko Gill and world indoor bronze medallist Tom Walsh is much anticipated in New Zealand.

Spare a thought for our three Paralympians doing their best to compete despite the conflict between Russia and Ukraine over Crimea, and in spite of the weather which fluctuates between balmy spring weather, fog and rain.

The shocking change in weather conditions recently supports the claim that change is the only constant.

If Buxton Popoali'i needs some reassurance as he waits on the sidelines for future surgery and recovery over heart issues, he needs only to look at the performance of Robbie Fruean for inspiration.

Although we live, work, play and train globally we still expect athletes to put a stake in the ground and pledge their allegiance to one particular country.

New Zealand nearly made one of the strongest political statements on the international sporting stage at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, but unfortunately for human rights activists, supporters of gay rights, LGBT athletes, and openly gay short track speed skater Blake Skjellerup, he missed qualifying by one slot.

Does it matter how you acquire medals and trophies? Is it the destination or the journey that makes these objects valuable?

Watching Roger Federer clinically defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open the other night was highly satisfying.

Did Rotorua successfully host the national sevens tournament for the first time this year?

Rugby League player Russell Packer, best known to the general public as the urinating Warrior, has received a maximum two-year sentence for assaulting a 22-year-old at a Sydney bar in November last year, and Brian Lima has had to quit his role with Samoan rugby while domestic violence allegations involving his former wife are investigated and brought to court.

'Tis the season to start patting people on the back for a job well done in sport.

Miguel Herrera, the latest coach of the Mexican football team not to get the axe, has been nicknamed Barney Rubble by the media because he looks (and acts?) like the likeable Flintstones character.

Did you know that the Rugby League World Cup was the first competition to be known as the ''Rugby World Cup''?

''For every door that closes another one opens.''

What a coup for Lydia Ko. She used an All Black to put a different slant on her announcement that, after weeks of speculation, she had finally turned professional.

At the Massey University Blues Awards, Olympian heptathlete turned high jumper Sarah Cowley spoke about how she lived and breathed the dream of being an Olympian.

Cups and trophies - old and new - have been battled over recently, including the Auld Mug, the NRL premiership trophy, the Constellation Cup, the Ranfurly Shield, the Rugby Championship Trophy and the JJ Stewart Trophy.

I'm glad I'm not a sailing fanatic or America's Cup follower.