Editorial: The joy that sport can bring

Glenn Phillips and Ajaz Patel celebrate after beating India. Photo / Getty Images

EDITORIAL

New Zealanders are knowledgeable and passionate sports fans — we look for simple things in our athletes: effort and victory.

For Kiwis, it’s okay to fall short of the victory podium, provided you gave it 100%.

In recent days, we’ve been treated to both.

From Barcelona to industrial Penrose, from Dubai to Texas and Bengaluru: New Zealand’s sporting stars shone bright in what’s being called our greatest sporting weekend.

None were brighter than the White Ferns, who secured the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup. Team New Zealand’s successful America’s Cup defence showed, again, the unique grasp our sailors have on this sporting fixture.

The Black Caps stunned India, Liam Lawson dazzled the motorsport world and this city’s newest sporting attraction savoured its time in the sun — Auckland FC highlighting how great it is to take kids to sport.

The efforts of everyone — from athletes to administrators, coaches and volunteers — to bring these sporting efforts to the public should be saluted.

The weekend’s triumphs served as a reminder of the joy great sport can bring. And all of them hint at great seasons to come.