RNZ 2011 CEO Update - October 2008
Seeing the joy on the faces of the Wellington and Christchurch contingents present at RNZ 2011's offices when it was announced that those two cities would each host two quarter-finals was incredibly inspiring for those of us who have been working for months leading up to those crucial decisions.
It was also a compelling reminder that a non-negotiable key to the success of the tournament will ultimately be the need for RNZ 2011 to keep our promise that RWC 2011 will be delivered by our "Stadium of Four Million."
We (RNZ 2011) need to somehow keep finding ways of making sure that this Tournament, in a real and tangible way, touches communities throughout our country and that our people collectively have a meaningful way to directly contribute to and enjoy the success of this event.
It has also been interesting to reflect on the lessons from the Beijing Olympic Games.
From the feedback we have received from a variety of Olympics attendees, both participants and spectators, it is clear that this event was delivered in an operationally superb manner. The facilities and infrastructure were not just world-class but were world-leading. Logistically, things went very smoothly. Prices for tickets, merchandise, food and accommodation seemed relatively reasonable. The paid and volunteer workforces delivering the events were friendly and helpful.
Likewise, on the whole, the participants played their part. Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt were perhaps the most visible star athletes but many others, Kiwis included, provided memorable moments.
What is less clear is whether these Olympics truly captured the essence of "festival" which is now part of a major event of this magnitude.
The opening ceremony was spectacular but subsequently somewhat tainted by the controversy surrounding the fakery around one of the young Chinese singers. The environment surrounding the "Birds Nest" and "the Cube" stadia was beautiful but access to this area was severely restricted, which stifled the atmosphere around the venues. The Paralympics opening ceremony, also very spectacular, was blighted by criticism of the organisers' decision to use able-bodied performers in wheelchairs rather than to use this unique opportunity to showcase genuinely disabled performers. Some media also placed considerable focus on such things as restricted access to information about sensitive issues, the forced "relocation" of many inhabitants and businesses in Beijing to make way for the Games, and China's alleged use of under-age gymnasts.
Perhaps some of this type of analysis amounts to petty criticism when looked at in the context of what China achieved overall, but it is a reminder that small things can have a disproportionate impact on how successful a major event is perceived to have been. In other words, the small things do matter!
However, for me, the abiding memory of the Beijing Olympics will be that it was an event delivered by its organisers in a closely controlled and calculated (albeit, positive) way FOR the people of China and FOR the outside world. I guess that, given the vast size and diversity of China and given the desire of the powers that be to present China's best face possible, this was probably both inevitable and not unreasonable.
In contrast, New Zealand's smallness and compactness, our historical nationwide interest in and support of rugby, and our love of a good time provides us with our best opportunity to deliver our major event, RWC 2011, in a way which is both unique and compelling.
Our "target market" is not just the participants and visitors but is also ourselves. Looking after our guests brilliantly will not only gain us recognition and respect from those we look after but will also give us a tremendous sense of social and cultural unity and cohesion.
If RNZ 2011, and others working with us to prepare for this, do our jobs well then, by kick-off time in September 2011, we believe that we will be in a position to truly deliver RWC 2011 WITH rather than FOR our people. If we do that, and are operationally superb, then
together New Zealand will achieve something special.
Martin Snedden
Chief Executive, Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd