NZ | RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

[Davee]

VBASE RESPONDS

Bryan Pearson, chief executive of VBase, was confident media would be well accommodated at AMI Stadium during the Rugby World Cup.

"Media facilities at AMI Stadium were upgraded last year following feedback from NZRU, CRFU, other clients, Sky TV and other NZ media. Amenity and scale of the permanent media facilities are designed to meet regular stadium event needs,'' he said.

Standards for the Rugby World Cup 2011 media facilities were determined by RNZ 2011 Ltd and RWC media partners, and were on an "altogether different scale''.

"AMI Stadium media facilities for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 would be temporarily expanded and enhanced to meet the specifications,'' Pearson said.

[Davee]

By MARC GREENHILL - The Press



Christchurch's Rugby Road has been hailed a success after thousands of sports fans walked the two-kilometre route to AMI Stadium on Saturday.

Spectators were encouraged to walk the traffic-free route from Cathedral Square to minimise congestion and generate atmosphere for the Bledisloe Cup rugby test.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who walked the 15-minute journey in both directions, said the walk was "absolutely brilliant".

"There was a wonderful atmosphere," he said.

"It was very friendly and people enjoyed themselves walking."

Parker was not surprised the route was packed.

"I thought people were ready to try it and I was really pleased that so many people found it a really novel way to go," he said. "It reminded me of my teenage years when walking to the game was a big part of going to the game."

Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden, who also walked the route, expected it to catch on with sports fans.

"It's a really easy walk," Snedden said.

"There's a nice atmosphere with everyone in a state of anticipation wandering in the same direction."

Christchurch hotelier Tim Nicholls said his overseas guests enjoyed the experience.

"Australians who had previously walked the route up Ferry Rd said it was great having a quiet walk all the way," Nicholls said.

"I was quite impressed by the whole thing.

"It was great for users and great for Christchurch."

More signage was needed to keep pedestrians on the route after the game, Nicholls said.

However, the road closures proved disruptive for an inner-city resident. James Macbeth Dann said he faced traffic problems trying to return to his apartment on the corner of Cashel St and Manchester St.

After being diverted three times, he had to park his car on the roadside and walk three blocks to get home. It was only once the rugby match started that he could retrieve his car.

Other residents would have faced similar problems, he said.

[KLK]

I note that the Sydney journalist - like others have - makes a jibe at us using cruise ships for accommodation in the later stages of the tournament.

It seems he was OK to see them used - 12 in all - for the 2000 Olympics, but not for RWC2011, when a mere 3 will be in operation.

Personally speaking, touring up the east coast and stopping in places like Christchurch, Malborough Sounds, Wellington, Napier and Auckland - and having - in the main - downtown accommodation (which is where they will be berthed in Akld) sounds like an awesome way to do the Cup.....

[Easty]

Originally Posted by KLK

I note that the Sydney journalist - like others have - makes a jibe at us using cruise ships for accommodation in the later stages of the tournament.

It seems he was OK to see them used - 12 in all - for the 2000 Olympics, but not for RWC2011, when a mere 3 will be in operation.

Personally speaking, touring up the east coast and stopping in places like Christchurch, Malborough Sounds, Wellington, Napier and Auckland - and having - in the main - downtown accommodation (which is where they will be berthed in Akld) sounds like an awesome way to do the Cup.....

Yeah look I didnt have time to give my pennies worth when I posted this artical.
Theres an element of taking the micky on the kiwi. Theres also an element of truth.
Personally its a bit of a toss read, but I pasted it from the front page of SMH...on line.
FYI ....dont forget the cruise ships for the Vancouver Winter Olympics...there were a couple there as well.
One of the great abilities when you are a harbour city..


The Vancouver 2010 Cruise Ship
Friday September 18, 2009
The Olympic Games are coming soon in 2010, and many people have the perception that there are no hotel rooms available for them to stay. It’s not so!
There is a totally unique accommodation solution that will be sailing up to Vancouver for the Games, arriving as the biggest hotel in Vancouver, and providing incredible affordable, deluxe accommodation for Games enthusiasts, with or without event tickets.
Newwest Special Projects’ will be docking a floating, all-inclusive resort hotel, the beautiful Norwegian Star cruise ship, in Vancouver’s harbour for 20 nights during the 2010 Winter Games.

While docked, guests will be able to enjoy the Olympic Games, explore cultural entertainment, the city nightlife or stay onboard and experience world class entertainment and gourmet dining – without extra cost or hassle. Unlike other venues in Vancouver, there will be no line ups at the Norwegian Star’s 13 restaurants, 8 lounges, luxurious spa, indoor pool and fitness center.
Situated in the harbor, no other hotel in Vancouver will be able to equal the service, entertainment, access and pure enjoyment of the Norwegian Star during the Winter Games, or offer such incomparable views from the water of the mountains and Vancouver’s dynamic cityscape.
While in Vancouver, the ship will feature all the amenities, activities and entertainment programs as if at sea, with a pampering ratio of one crew member for every two guests. Newwest’s fabulous deluxe accommodation packages include all meals, airport transfers, local transfers, city tours and much more, starting at just $350 per person, based on double occupancy.

[Indictable]

Whats the places to be pre/post games in our cities? Like how Brisbane has Caxton etc

[whizz_pat]

Christchurch looked stunning on TV this weekend. Stadium looking great!

[buildemhigh]

under a year to go now, where is the buildup/hype around this event? We by now should have a focal point but unless I am missing the obvious there isnt anything in the CBD that as a tourist would identify that we are hosting this event at all, let alone in 365 days.......

[Snorky33]

So it's now only a year out and how better for Auckland to celebrate...IT'S POURING WITH RAIN of course typical Auckland spring weather...what a shame that Eden Park hasn't got a roof. As a conclusion Auckland rugby fans damned, Dunedin rugby fans blessed.

[greenwelly]

Originally Posted by Easty

FYI ....dont forget the cruise ships for the Vancouver Winter Olympics...there were a couple there as well.
One of the great abilities when you are a harbour city..

No there weren't

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/van...17211-qmi.html

VANCOUVER — The only Norwegian Star at the 2010 Winter Olympics may be a Nordic skier because accommodation aboard a cruise ship by that name was cancelled Tuesday.

The 1,108-room luxury liner chartered by Edmonton-based Newwest Special Projects was supposed to leave Los Angeles Saturday and arrive Feb. 10 in Burrard Inlet. But a lack of bookings and rising costs forced Newwest to sink the plan. Refunds, according to a news release, would be issued “in a timely manner.”
...
The ship was supposed to stay at the Kinder Morgan industrial dock in North Vancouver until March 2.
...
Newwest is the second cruise offering to sink because of the poor economy. The DEAP Group failed to get financing last fall to berth seven smaller ships in two locations.

[Snorky33]

An absolutely brilliant article from Peter Bills...yes well done NZ taking the softly softly approach to the upcoming RWC was a grand idea, what SA choose to do with the recent SWC has become a disaster only of nightmares. May the world always have these two examples there to learn from...one final note with the 2014 SWC and 2016 Summer Olympics staged in the one country, do think Brazil will learn? somehow i have my doubts.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/a-stadium-...ectid=10665895

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

An absolutely brilliant article from Peter Bills...yes well done NZ taking the softly softly approach to the upcoming RWC was a grand idea, what SA choose to do with the recent SWC has become a disaster only of nightmares. May the world always have these two examples there to learn from...one final note with the 2014 SWC and 2016 Summer Olympics staged in the one country, do think Brazil will learn? somehow i have my doubts.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/a-stadium-...ectid=10665895

Rugby World Cup is a tiny, TINY drop in the ocean compared to the FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup is currently the largest sporting event in the world and so has extremely strict criteria to meet for hosting. NZ wouldn't come close to being able to fulfil FIFA criteria for hosting the World Cup, yet what they've done is adequate for the Rugby World Cup.

Compare like with like. That article was stupid.

[Snorky33]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

Rugby World Cup is a tiny, TINY drop in the ocean compared to the FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup is currently the largest sporting event in the world and so has extremely strict criteria to meet for hosting. NZ wouldn't come close to being able to fulfil FIFA criteria for hosting the World Cup, yet what they've done is adequate for the Rugby World Cup.

Compare like with like. That article was stupid.

WRONG how about rereading the article? we all know that the RWC is well behind the SWC, Peter Bill's is just highlighting all the white elephants that SA now have, after all the hype has settled down and the dust has settled all those flash new stadiums costing billions now just sit there looking pretty...the classic examples being Durban & Cape Town.

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

WRONG how about rereading the article? we all know that the RWC is well behind the SWC, Peter Bill's is just highlighting all the white elephants that SA now have, after all the hype has settled down and the dust has settled all those flash new stadiums costing billions now just sit there looking pretty...the classic examples being Durban & Cape Town.

I did read the article quite clearly in the first place. If a country is left with white elephants following investment then they simply shouldn't have been given the tournament in the first place. For example, the big spending and huge infrastructure improvements that occurred in Germany for the 2006 FIFA World Cup have resulted in a lasting legacy for the country including vastly improved facilities, improved transport to games and general infrastructure improvements.

The same was noted in the 2002 World Cup in which Korea and Japan were left with stadiums (most of which were new-build) which are, largely, continuing to be well-utilised. Why? Because all of these countries continue to have large football leagues and thus utilise the stadia for purpose. South Africa doesn't have the same level of football participation on the whole nor the wealthy population to support the tournament ergo the stadiums will become white elephants as they already had fit-for-purpose stadia for the sports they are actively involved in.

So in summary:

#1. Compare developed nations with developed nations.

#2. Compare OTHER tournaments where new-build stadia have been utilised fully such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

#3. Compare countries which have an established base for the sport in question. NZ has an established rugby culture, Japan, Korea and Germany have established football culture ergo the venues will be successful post-games.

#4. Compare games of equal standing. The Football World Cup is a different beast to the Rugby World Cup.

#5. Use a better researched article.

Also, it's the Football World Cup, not Soccer (hence FIFA, Fédération Internationale de Football Association not FISA).

This article is only attempting to justify why things have been done on the cheap and why we aren't getting legacy facilities that would have done much more for the country in the long run. Infrastructure spending in terms of transport infrastructure and hotel facilities should have been upgraded more fully than they have been.

This is not to say I don't think our games are going to be successful, more that I don't think we should be crowing with delight at doing things on the cheap.

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

WRONG how about rereading the article? we all know that the RWC is well behind the SWC, Peter Bill's is just highlighting all the white elephants that SA now have, after all the hype has settled down and the dust has settled all those flash new stadiums costing billions now just sit there looking pretty...the classic examples being Durban & Cape Town.

So Peter Bills is the light? the all seeing oracle? Firstly alot about what he says on the stadiums is totally false. The stadiums in Durban and Cape Town have hosted a number of events since the World Cup. Durban has concerts coming up in Novemember and December, it is busy every single day with tourists and way over 200000 people have now visited the top of the arch, each paying R50 to ride the SkyCar that takes you up. The many restaurants and bars at the base of the stadium hum on weekends, heck there is even a club and a massive new Virgin Active Health Club opening soon. Not to mention the 1000s that are bungee jumping off the arch.

So yeah, they seem to really be just sitting there looking pretty...

So quick to jump on a bandwagon, so slow to look for the real facts.

That said, good luck with Rugby World Cup

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

The same was noted in the 2002 World Cup in which Korea and Japan were left with stadiums (most of which were new-build) which are, largely, continuing to be well-utilised.

#2. Compare OTHER tournaments where new-build stadia have been utilised fully such as the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Good response, but this has to be challenged. Many have been demolished since the tournament

[Snorky33]

Originally Posted by dysan1

So Peter Bills is the light? the all seeing oracle? Firstly alot about what he says on the stadiums is totally false. The stadiums in Durban and Cape Town have hosted a number of events since the World Cup. Durban has concerts coming up in Novemember and December, it is busy every single day with tourists and way over 200000 people have now visited the top of the arch, each paying R50 to ride the SkyCar that takes you up. The many restaurants and bars at the base of the stadium hum on weekends, heck there is even a club and a massive new Virgin Active Health Club opening soon. Not to mention the 1000s that are bungee jumping off the arch.

So yeah, they seem to really be just sitting there looking pretty...

So quick to jump on a bandwagon, so slow to look for the real facts.

That said, good luck with Rugby World Cup

Oh please...tell me which two venues (being just over the road from each other) stage the most sporting events per year? Kings Park? or Moses Mabhida Stadium?

[Svartmetall]

Originally Posted by dysan1

Good response, but this has to be challenged. Many have been demolished since the tournament

What? All Korean stadiums are still being used in the K-league or have current tenants. Same with all the Japanese stadia too - they all take part in the J-league or have current tenants. Where did you get the information from that the venues have been demolished? It simply isn't true I'm afraid. Many have changed names due to sponsorship, much in the same way that Allianz Arena in Munich had to change its name for the WC.

[buildemhigh]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

An absolutely brilliant article from Peter Bills...yes well done NZ taking the softly softly approach to the upcoming RWC was a grand idea, what SA choose to do with the recent SWC has become a disaster only of nightmares. May the world always have these two examples there to learn from...one final note with the 2014 SWC and 2016 Summer Olympics staged in the one country, do think Brazil will learn? somehow i have my doubts.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/a-stadium-...ectid=10665895

You constantly bang on about Eden Park and Dunedin for that matter, are you now saying that Eden park is a good outcome?

[dysan1]

Originally Posted by Snorky33

Oh please...tell me which two venues (being just over the road from each other) stage the most sporting events per year? Kings Park? or Moses Mabhida Stadium?

MM hosts at least two soccer fixtures a week with Amazulu having the stadium as their base. It is hosting a massive Heritage day celebration festival today. It is hosting a 70000 capacity MTN8 Championship Soccer Final next weekend. It has SA vs India T20 cricket with 70000 tickets going on sale in October and will most likely be sold out in hours such is the hype. Plus more.

Kings Park, or Absa stadium, is lucky to host one rugby game per week.

Heck even on rugby days the neighbouring MM is full with people taking all the tours, using all the bars and cafes and stores.

And lets be honest. Kings Park will eventually be demolished and the Sharks will move across.

Knock at your own leisure to make yourself feel better, but dont come jumping on a bandwagon you really know little about. You dont see me harping on about how shocking it is that NZ really have not done much for the Rugby World Cup - simply because i do not know enough on the matter to comment.

[Mr_kiwi_fruit]

image hosted on flickr

RWC 2011 by craigsydnz, on Flickr

I think that you are all missing the point of the article, it is not only based on the lack of events at the stadiums in South Africa but it is more directed at the expense of the stadiums. Nobody can deny the fact that there was huge budget over-runs on most of the projects related to the FIFA World Cup when the money could have been used more responsibly and redirected towards the people of South Africa who are in dire need of assistance. In a country where millions are living on approximately a $1 a day in slums not fit for human habitation. It is clear that South Africa was short-sighted, they had to prove a point and create iconic structures at the expense of the poor. New Zealand on the other hand places citizens first and doesn't need to prove anything to the world.

Eden Park might not be iconic but it is a huge improvement - nobody can argue against that. Other stadiums in NZ are fantastic and we have created stadiums that will serve New Zealand's needs, not that of a country twice the size. Also, almost everything being built for the rugby world cup is way ahead of schedule and under budget, that in itself is a huge feat and a job well done. The legacy for Auckland will be immense, 3 new hotels at the airport, major motorway upgrades, entire streets in the city centre are being ripped up and being turned into shares spaces, Aotea Square upgrade, The Auckland Art Gallery upgrade, a brand new waterfront which will serve as the foundation for bigger things to come, train station upgrades, improvement districts have been formed for Kingsland and Eden Valley, Queen's Wharf has been reclaimed as a people friendly space, Q Theatre, the beginnings of a tram network for downtown Auckland, Civic crescent, the area around Eden Park has seen some major improvements for the people living there and lets not forget the K'Road overbridge upgrade. If it wasn't for the RWC we would probably wait for a couple of years to see all of this develop at the current rate.

The above-mentioned projects are far more important than a stadium which will only be used for a couple hours, every other day. It is Kiwi's who will be left with a much improved city, not just during the RWC but long after that, and most important of all extra cash in their pockets. As for doing things on the cheap, bullshit, public spaces are upgraded to the highest quality using the best products they can afford. If you want to see cheap then you must go and visit South africa and make a fair comparison. We don't use ash bricks for paving, bus shelters without any decent form of seating, 80's brick landscaping, twigs/branches for barricades and concrete benches - you get top-notch quality here and it is evident in all the recent public realm upgrades.

You might like to disagree with the article but he is on the money (his points are valid although some of it might be outdated) ... for a little island downunder with a population of 4.3 million we can be very, very, very proud of what we have achieved thus far. I am willing to bet that most of the rugby supporters won't even notice the stadium/s, it is only people like us who are interested in architecture and we are in the minority. Who cares, let the party begin. It is going to be a huge bash for all to enjoy in style.