Watching major sports events increases participation

Every four years, following the Olympic Games, there is a world-wide surge in participation in sport, particularly Athletics and Aquatics, which receive generous media attention during the games.

YMCAs, Swimming Clubs, High-board Diving Clubs, and Athletics Clubs are among the many organisations to benefit from the extensive media coverage of sport during the Olympic Games. A quick Google search reveals countless examples from all over the world reporting increases, some of between ten to fifteen percent, in participation immediately following the Olympics every four years.

After viewing athletes amongst the best in the world competing at the top level, it becomes common for young people (in particular) to aspire to be like the Usain Bolt’s and Michael Phelps’ of recent Olympic success. This leads into the importance of having good role models, which is another topic altogether.

Although it is obvious not all these “new recruits” will continue to participate long-term, it is also clear that significant events such as the Olympics have a major impact on global participation. The same is true for major local events too. Events such as the Weet-Bix Tryathlon, held in a number of regions throughout New Zealand, have hugely increased participation in the sport of triathlon, again most commonly amongst young people.

Hosting national and international sports events, especially in smaller regions like Manawatu where they are more accessible and affordable for a larger portion of the population, have the obvious economic benefits of bringing in visitors from outside of the region, but more importantly aid in inspiring young and old alike to either get into, or get back into sport.

The Manawatu is fortunate to have some of the best sports infrastructure in New Zealand. We are an accessible location, have affordable accommodation, and have low cost on-ground assistance for event organisers. Organisations such as Destination Manawatu, Sport Manawatu, the Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council along with our accommodation and location benefits, help to make us the ideal destination for multiple major sports events and national tournaments.

During the month of September, this year alone, Manawatu is playing host to two national hockey tournaments, a national football tournament, the largest and most prestigious basketball tournament held annually in NZ, a national cycling championship, two rounds of national championship netball, as well as Air New Zealand Cup, and National Hockey League games.

Each of these great events provide either free or very low, reasonable cost, along with hours of entertainment! Some of the country’s best current and up-and-coming talent will be on display right here in the Manawatu.

With proof that watching major events on television can inspire athletes around the world, imagine what experiencing them first hand can do for our young people. Often all they need is to see where they could be in a few years, which is what many of these events will show them.

The options are endless. Events in the Manawatu are affordable and accessible, so get together with some friends, your children, your class, your partner, or on your own, and check out some of these major national events that are happening in our own back yard.

And you never know, you might be inspiring the next generation of New Zealand’s top athletes.
For more information on sports events in the Manawatu throughout the year check out Sport Manawatu’s event calendar at www.sportmanawatu.org.nz/events .