[content_protector password=”running”]In case you hadn’t noticed, New Zealand are now rugby union world champions.
In a tense final at London’s Twickenham stadium, the All Blacks defeated Australia 34-17 to lift the Webb Ellis trophy – the first ever team to win back-to-back rugby world cups. It’s a truly remarkable event from a wonderfully talented group of players. The support back home, here, in New Zealand has been outstanding, and we are all looking forward to the next world cup in Japan in 2019.
But don’t worry, rugby fans, because there’s plenty else going on between now and then. What should we Kiwis be getting excited about? Who should we be supporting? Here’s a handy Kiwi Kids News guide for a few ideas of what’s up in the next year or so:
2015:
November:
World Weightlifting Championships (Houston, USA)
2016:
January:
Australian Open tennis (Melbourne, Australia)
National Cowboy Poetry Gathering (Elko, United States)
February:
Winter Youth Olympics (Lillehammer, Norway)
Battle of the Oranges (Ivrea, Italy)
Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo, Japan)
March:
World Track Cycling (London, England)
Molten Iron Throwing Competition (Nuanquan, China)
April:
Masters Golf (Atlanta, USA)
May:
French Open tennis (Paris, France)
Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling Championship (Brockworth, England)
July:
Tour de France
Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (New York, USA)
Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival (Edirne, Turkey)
Roswell UFO Festival (Roswell, USA)
Nathan’s World Hotdog Eating Contest (New York, USA)
August:
Olympic Games (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
World Bog Snorkeling Championships (Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales)
World Pokemon Championship (location to be confirmed)
December:
World Swimming Championships (Windsor, Canada)
This is just a flavour of some of the sporting and cultural events where we can show our support and interest. Many of these events – and more – will feature proud Kiwis who, just like our might All Blacks, will be keen to represent New Zealand to the very best of their abilities.
So, rugby fans and others, pick an event, find a sport, show your support to Kiwis and others in whichever international contest they are taking part in.
Go New Zealand!
[colored_box color=”green”]This is an opinion-based article designed to provoke debate, discussion and further inquiry amongst your students: [/colored_box] [colored_box color=”yellow”]Critical Thinking Challenges:
1. Why is it the All Blacks who get all the media coverage?
2. Do you think that the wall-to-wall media coverage for the All Blacks is justified?
3. How could small sports and events create more of a buzz or generate more support?
[/colored_box] [colored_box color=”green”]Practical Tasks:
1. Choose a sporting event in the list above that you know very little or nothing about. Find out if any New Zealanders are taking part (or have ever taken part) – write a little guide to the event.
2. There are some months in the list above with no (or few) events. See if you can fill in some of the gaps with some other less-well-known world events. As an extra challenge, try and find ones that Kiwis will be taking part in.
[/colored_box] [colored_box color=”red”]Have Your Say: [socialpoll id=”[socialpoll id=”2305944″] [/colored_box]
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