The management gurus say ‘culture eats strategy for breakfast’. And what we saw over early breakfasts this morning was New Zealand’s Black Caps showing the world the best of team culture, admirable character and a group that not just carries the silver fern as representatives of this country, but does what it does in a way that shows the best of this country’s values. How different that is from the behaviour of another supposedly New Zealand team this month.
New Zealand’s victory in cricket’s World Test Championship was a victory of perseverance and humility, in the best traditions of Sir Edmund Hillary. As Brendon McCullum put it, this is a team that, like New Zealand, punches above its weight and did remarkably to take the world title ahead of countries such as India and Australia, where the sport is often described as a religion.
It’s the kind of team and culture that you want your kids to watch and emulate.
How different from (supposed) Team New Zealand, holders of the America’s Cup. I don’t meant to bag the amazing prowess of the sailors and the character of individuals in that team. In many ways the two word champion teams share a lot in common.
Like the Black Caps, Emirates Team New Zealand punches above its weight in their own sport. The sailors are champion underdogs. And the winning record has been impressive. But how you do something matters as much as what you do. And the cultural traditions around Team New Zealand have long spoken more to avarice and ambition than good character.
You only have to think back to the ‘leadership’ shown by Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth after the victorious 200 America’s Cup campaign, when they bailed on supposed Team New Zealand and New Zealanders’ ‘red socks’ commitment for higher bidders overseas. This team has form.
The 2003 campaign pulled on our “loyal” heart-strings. And after winning in 2018 they again wrapped themselves in the flag, taking $136m in taxpayers’ money for their efforts. It was agreed by both government and the yachties that for the investment to be truly worthwhile, we’d need to see two defences here in New Zealand. But the government, on behalf of Kiwis, gambled on Team New Zealand being able to win the races. We backed them at the cost of any number of hip operations.
Then came a global pandemic. Many sports events were cancelled or postponed, but the collective efforts of New Zealanders and flexibility at our borders allowed the racing to go ahead. Supposed Team New Zealand owe the fact they even had the chance to compete last year to the ‘Team of Five Million’.
A proper, national New Zealand team would want to seize the chance to ‘give something back’.
As Auckland Chamber of Commerce boss Michael Barnett said, “The public and the Government and Auckland have ploughed hundreds of millions of dollars into backing their campaigns. There must surely be a pay-back rather than heading off to the highest bidder."
After every America’s Cup since 2003, New Zealand taxpayers have given their hard earned dollars to supposed Team New Zealand. We bet on them again after 2018. We’ve spent millions on infrastructure. Our pandemic response allowed the racing. And this year we put together a $99m offer (though much of it was kind, not cash) to stay. As Barnett says, surely that means something if you are representing your nation.
But no. Again the yachties are off to find a higher bidder.
Now if you’re just a commercial operation and your bottomline is the bottomline, that’s fine. Just own it. Don’t fake it with this ‘Team New Zealand’ bollocks. Don’t pretend to be a representative side. The official name was Emirates Team New Zealand and what Grant Dalton and co have made clear is that the ‘Emirates’ part of that name is what matters, while the ‘New Zealand’ bit is disposable. Stop pretending.
Dalton says, "No matter where in the world we are, we will always be Team New Zealand." Tosh. Ironically, supposed Team New Zealand is better at spin than the Black Caps.
Can we all just please accept now that supposed Team New Zealand is a business, not a representative sports team? They represent themselves and their sponsors, not this country and its values. Take off the flag the team has so cynically draped itself in to keep milking taxpayers for its own benefit. They had the chance to give back - even just promising one more defence and backing themselves to win again - but they chose not to.
Let’s judge them by their deeds, not their word and and let them sail away. They’ve chosen gold over black. Good luck to them. Sports Minister today nailed how the Black Caps are so different. He said in a statement:
“They play cricket in the very best of spirit; fair, but hard. They clearly play for one another and their country and they have made us so proud.
This is a golden age of cricket in New Zealand and one that will inspire generations to come.”
So don’t pretend you’re sailing for me and my kids any more supposed Team New Zealand. We’ll be too busy backing the Black Caps and a winning culture that celebrates the best of New Zealand’s values.