Whanganui has always been a sporting town, Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall says. Photo / Lewis Gardner
With thousands of athletes in town for the Downer New Zealand Masters Games, Logan Tutty asks what the value of sport is to Whanganui.
Whanganui has always been a sporting city, with deep ties to national and international success, Whanganui mayor Hamish McDouall says.
It was the first town in New Zealand to ever host a World Championship when William 'Billy' Webb defended his world title on the Whanganui River in 1908.
Whanganui has the oldest sporting club in New Zealand - the Wanganui Jockey Club formed in 1848.
And it is the birthplace of seven Olympic medallists.
"It's not just the elite," McDouall said. "Sports are a fundamental way with the way we live."
McDouall said we are spoiled with sports facilities scattered around Whanganui such as Cooks Gardens, Victoria Park, Springvale Park, Wembley Park and water facilities like the river and Lake Wiritoa.
"It hosts the Water Ski Nationals every couple of years. It's just right there."
With thousands of people converging on Whanganui for the next two weeks for the Masters Games, the impact will be felt across multiple facets of society.
Sports Whanganui chief executive Danny Jonas said the Masters Games was a financially crucial event to both the city and all sports clubs involved.
"Economically, it's worth over $3 million. Through accommodation, food, shopping, petrol and everything else. It is absolutely massive."
The Masters Games provide a major fundraising opportunity for sports clubs and organisations.
Jonas estimated around $200,000 was reimbursed to the clubs in Whanganui who run the events for the Masters Games.
"With the individual codes running their own events, it really helps keeps them afloat for the next 12-18 months."
While it is a great financial boost for the community and sports clubs, it's the social experience that can't be bought, Jonas said.
"The social connectivity and wellbeing side, we can't underestimate that. Sport might be the vehicle, but it has far greater leverage and benefits other than just playing the game.
"I caught up with mates that I swam with when I was 15 and 16, I hadn't seen them for 20 odd years. It wasn't about the swimming, it was just about being in that environment and reminiscing."
McDouall said getting kids outdoors and them involved in sports was key for their development.
"I've certainly seen it in my own kids. These were great social times for them. It would break them out of their school peer groups and introduce them to people right across the city.
"Equally, it's just good to keep kids active."
Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Russell Simpson said kids participating in sports and staying active had more than just physical benefits.
"Physical activity has a number of positive physiological benefits, ranging from mental health, mental wellness, through to improved cardiovascular and respiratory health," he said.
"Besides from that physical activity, it keeps our youth occupied and engaged in meaningful activity. It also addresses many of the childhood issues around social interaction with other peers, understanding rules around sports and also a sense of self and importance and improvement in self-esteem."
Simpson urged everyone to try to put some time aside each day for physical activity.
"If you have a healthy mind, stresses at work or in the environment become a lot less significant and you can manage it a lot better," he said.
"There is always time for physical activity and work will always be there tomorrow."
Jonas said Whanganui was an 'incubator' for elite level sporting talent, but priorities were changing to today's youth.
"Whanganui is definitely a breeding ground. But I think our future generations on what they want and need now is quite different."
He said the early specialisation in sport is "just not right."
"All our surveys are telling us the main reasons they play sport is to be with their mates and have some fun. It's not to say they are not trying to be competitive," he said.
"It's about that feeling and connecting with others."
Jonas said the possibility of a professional sport team in Whanganui's future isn't out of question, but striving at the elite level shouldn't be the only driver.
"It creates pathways for young people who want to strive to go higher, but it shouldn't be the only thing."
Whanganui District Councillor Philippa Baker-Hogan said Whanganui produces national talent, but can struggle to retaining athletes who want to reach the elite level.
"Whanganui has pushed well above its weight. One of the key benefits of that is having role models and believing they can get there no matter where they live," she said.
"As elite sport has changed, it's been harder to keep people in the regions."
Baker-Hogan said sport had been a bit undervalued in terms of all the benefits it has for Whanganui.
"Sport has been a bit of the poor cousin and perhaps hasn't been recognised how much it does contribute economically, socially and psychologically.
"It's not about us competing with arts, but there is an acknowledgement at the council level that sport hasn't been looked at properly and the wider benefits of all the things it brings."
Baker-Hogan said sport transcends cultural and religious differences.
"We have a boys quad that has a Kiwi, a Muslim, a Japanese and an Indian-South African. They have to adapt a little bit when we go away.
"It keeps our youth occupied and supported, you can't underestimate the importance of that."
Jonas tipped his hat to all the volunteers involved with sports teams, who are one of the most crucial cogs in the sporting machine.
"If it wasn't for them, I wonder what sport would look like in New Zealand. It simply wouldn't be possible."
Jonas said sports isn't always about winning, but giving something a go.
"I get so much enjoyment seeing someone completed something or trying something for the first time. It is just awesome.
"The power of sport or activity is way wider and far reaching than standing on the podium and putting a gold medal around your neck."
Riders and spectators in Whanganui are anticipating the start of the last race.