Motions — Silver Ferns and Black Caps—Netball and Cricket World Cups 2019

I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek leave to move a motion without notice and with debate, congratulating New Zealand’s netball team and cricket team on their outstanding performances in the Netball World Cup 2019, and ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

💬 SPEAKER: Is there any objection to that course of action being followed? There is none.

I move, That the House congratulate all the players, coaches, and support staff of the New Zealand Netball Team—the Silver Ferns—on their victory in the Netball World Cup, as well as the Black Caps, who made the world cup final for their second consecutive time.

On behalf of the Government, I want to first acknowledge the world champion Silver Ferns, who defeated three-time defending champions Australia 52-51 in a thrilling Netball World Cup final in Liverpool on 21 July 2019. New Zealand last won the world cup trophy in 2003 in Jamaica, and the victory completes a massive 11-month turn-round from the ferns under coach Noeline Taurua, and her assistant Deb Fuller. Noeline’s work in galvanising the team to where New Zealand now stands as world champions has been nothing short of spectacular. The team were the fittest at the tournament, and stuck to a game plan and structure that saw them put pressure on opponents throughout the court.

It’s a team game, and there were many notable contributions from the whole team in the final, and across the whole squad throughout the tournament. In particular, I think we’d all like to recognise retiring defensive legend Casey Kopua, who was playing her 112th and final test for New Zealand, along with captain Laura Langman, and Maria Folau, the self-described fossils who provided—that’s their words, I need to reiterate—exceptional leadership.

Their finals success comes just 24 hours after their stirring semi-final win over England, again by one point. The semi and final were battles to the end, and the ebbs and flows—while stressful for us as the viewing public—were absolutely enthralling as well. It was a fantastic final, and we were to find a response every time Australia threatened. The Silver Ferns held their nerve, they fought hard, and they rightly deserve to be crowned world champions. This team is an inspiration to New Zealanders, especially young women, for their skill, their teamwork, and their commitment, and let’s hope it leads to further support from sponsors, and the public, to promote and, of course, fund the team.

The Silver Ferns’ success builds on a successful couple of weeks for our national sporting teams, with the Black Caps reaching the final of the Cricket World Cup 2019 at Lord’s. Their journey to the world cup final on 13 July built on their impressive performance in the 2015 world cup, which culminated in the final against Australia at the MCG. I want to acknowledge the dedication of the Black Caps’ coaching and support staff, and their friends and family, who’ve supported each member of the team in the lead up to the Cricket World Cup.

The final at Lord’s was nothing short of an all-time classic that will not be forgotten by cricket fans worldwide anytime soon. The two teams finished on the same scores after regular play and the subsequent super over, leaving the title to be decided on a countback of boundary hits. I know this result will not seem fair to many. The Black Caps may not have won the trophy, but they’ve won the hearts of cricket fans across the world. I’d also like to recognise the standout performance by Captain Kane Williamson in being named the player of the tournament, with 578 runs and two wickets.

Finally, I’d like to reflect on the dignity of the team. They were and are true sportspeople. We have two tremendous teams, the Silver Ferns and the Black Caps, who have made their country extremely proud—I should add that our shearers have recently also taken out some world championships—and whom I have no doubt, in all of their fields, have inspired people across the country with their dogged determination to fight to the very end, and this House congratulates them.

I also rise to support the notice of motion acknowledging the Silver Ferns and the Black Caps. The Silver Ferns’ story is one of resilience and a comeback like no other. The Silver Ferns came into the tournament having not won a world cup for 16 long years, and they suffered a difficult defeat in the Commonwealth Games. The team has succeeded in a hugely competitive environment, and it’s important that we acknowledge Noeline Taurua—or “Noels”, as she’s called. She is rightly today seen as one of the greatest netball coaches in the world. Noeline came in with 11 months to go and helped build this team to the world champions they now are. To bring a team together in the way that she has is a testament to her character and her skill, and I’d also like to acknowledge Netball New Zealand CEO Jennie Wyllie and also Allison Ferguson for their outstanding leadership.

But we need to acknowledge also, of course, the athletes. They beat Australia by one point, and the way that they worked together on court was simply tremendous. Their win will be huge for Netball New Zealand and the young players that all over our country look up to them. We also know that we must have change for women in New Zealand and globally in sport. The reality is it’s unacceptable in 2019 to have a situation where our world-class female athletes, in a globally significant sport where 20 people play—netball—could be arriving home without prize money. I hope that between the sponsors and the Government, this can be worked out. Our ferns deserve to be recognised.

In regard to the cricket, there are a lot of New Zealanders who stayed up throughout the night to watch what was one of the greatest cricket matches of all time. The reality is the stakes couldn’t have been higher with this final at Lord’s, on England’s home turf, with two teams who have never won the Cricket World Cup before. Both teams played with passion and skill, which was thrilling to watch. We take a moment to acknowledge the effort that it takes the individuals and their families to play at this level. We acknowledge CEO David White, the support staff, and the coaches, who prepared for years for this match. Unfortunately, in a heart-breaking couple of overs, the Black Caps lost to England. We need to recognise and celebrate England for their victory.

What has been acknowledged throughout the world has been the Black Caps’ response. They have shown humility and been so gracious to the English team. We know that at this level the match can come down to a few precious moments that don’t go one’s way. We should be proud of the example that the team has shown to young cricketers and New Zealanders. It’s important and healthy to have a future discussion about the rules in the super-over situation, and it’s good that the International Cricket Council are looking at the rules. Our thoughts are with the Black Caps and Kane “Steady the Ship” Williamson and the New Zealand cricket family as they deal with the loss and prepare for the future. Kia kaha. New Zealand can be proud of their achievements.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on behalf of the Green Party to support the motion that absolutely congratulates our Silver Ferns netball team and our Black Caps cricket team.

Noeline Taurua, you are an absolute hero. You have been absolutely vindicated as a wonderful choice to lead our netball team into incredible victory: the Netball World Cup, which has not been in our grasp for far too long. I loved the little baby of Casey Kōpua in the interview afterwards, trying to lick her mum’s salty skin. I thought that was an absolute example of what our women athletes work with and work for on the international world stage. We’re doing really well in showing that we can do all the things, and I want to support my colleague Simon Bridges’ call for some equity in media and funding in really acknowledging the true worth of these incredible professional athletes on the international stage.

There are a few new fans of cricket. People who have not watched cricket ever before in their lives have suddenly been talking about overs and unders and all sorts of things that never came out of their mouths before, and this is testament to the thrilling game, right to the bitter end, that our cricketers led and it is testament to the dignity and the character and the spirit of that team that was shown around the world.

These successes find their roots in grassroots sports all around the country every weekend. Our schools, our volunteers, our parents, our coaches do this for the love, because we love our sports and because we love what it brings to our community and our children, and this is where these successes are started. I want to congratulate not just our international stars but our grassroots community sports teams and campaigns all around our country. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join with other party leaders to congratulate our sportspeople on their tremendous recent successes. With regard to the Silver Ferns, I have to agree with all the other leaders that the story of the turn-around is absolutely phenomenal. It wasn’t so long ago that we had the Silver Ferns crying on television, having been questioned about whether they were even proud of the black dress. The diametrical turn-around that they have made in only 11 months is absolutely phenomenal. They should all be so proud of themselves, their families should be proud of them, and we as a country which has performed so well in the last couple of weeks against other countries whose populations are anywhere from five to, in the case of India, 200 times greater than ours—if there was ever a country that punched above its weight, it is New Zealand.

I’d love to say that I stayed up all night watching the cricket, but, being so devoted to my constituents, I was early to bed, and it was only when I woke up thinking the game would be over that I tuned in to Scotty Stevenson and the Alternative Community Collective to hear the most extraordinary sporting commentary that certainly I’ve heard in my life. We could dwell on the fact that they were robbed by poor umpiring, but that would be a disservice to the phenomenal leadership and humility that that has been shown by the Black Caps in the wake of that decision and that result. So I’d like to conclude my comments by saying isn’t it wonderful to have a Parliament that is unanimous and united around the fine traditions of sporting excellence in New Zealand. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Motion agreed to.