Louisa Wall: Pride paves way to recent triumphs

Haven't we done well this year and don't the Aussies dislike it? Dangerous words, maybe, given the first Chappell-Hadlee ODI being played today at Eden Park. But you never know, our recent success over the old foe might just lift the Black Caps to unexpected victory.

The new director of the Australian Institute of Sport, Professor Peter Fricker, has had a gutsful of our wins in rugby, league, rowing and netball. And now they are going to be selfish about granting us access to their institute.

So, kei te pai, we understand that, in the business of sport, knowledge is power and that the difference between winning and losing can be the finest of technological advancements. So, thank you for your help, it has been much appreciated.

But actually, the success of Kiwi teams this year has not been so much about technology (although I note our recent cycling advances), but is down to an appreciation of the pride and history associated with wearing the black jersey with the silver fern - the sense of representing something greater than yourself.

And it seems to have not been so much about professionalism in its monetary or career-related sense but rather about family and community and commitment to the cause and a belief in each other and the team.

No one more fully embodied this than Kiwi coach Brian McClennan, whose enthusiastic antics may have raised some eyebrows (but not mine) at the end of the Tri-Nations final. Such celebration of success was entirely justified.

And it is that priceless, unquantifiable passion that determines success.

It is also about remembering the pioneers of the past and honouring their sporting legacy .

It was great to see that one of the Kiwi Warriors' first acts on returning to New Zealand was to visit their supporters on their home turf, Ericsson Stadium.

Captain fantastic Ruben Wiki had the cup in tow and, with friends and family, the team celebrated the victory with their fans. And that's what it's all about. It is not about the I but the we.

We are blessed as a country that this attitude seems to have permeated many codes and many teams, and many of them have won for themselves international recognition.

Dick Tonks and Graham Henry have been honoured by their respective international bodies as coaches of the year. The All Blacks are team of the year, Wiki received special recognition for his contribution to league as the most capped player in test history (Irene van Dyk holds this honour in netball), Beatrice Faumuina was selected as a United Nations Ambassador and what a year Michael Campbell has had.

Preparations look good, too, for Dean Barker and Team NZ, the Commonwealth Games teams are being announced (and the Silver Ferns look hot for gold), and I can't wait to see what our swimmers and triathletes and track athletes will do.

So, Black Caps, we are with you all the way. Let's hope you, too, have been inspired and in turn will inspire. I am sure it is a challenge you are all looking forward to and, in the end, the game is yours to win, not to lose.