Diamonds luncheon

I begin by greeting you: Your Excellency Quentin Bryce, Governor-General of Australia; Noeleen Dix and Kate Palmer, President and Chief Executive respectively of Netball Australia; Raelene Castle, Chief Executive of Netball New Zealand; Hon John Rau, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Tourism for South Australia; Dr John Larkindale, High Commissioner for New Zealand to Australia; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen.   May I offer the New Zealand greeting, “kia ora” which translates as “good health”.

Thank you for inviting me to this lunch prior to start of this year’s Holden Netball Test Series and inaugural competition between the Silver Ferns and Australian Netball Diamonds for the Constellation Cup.  My wife Susan is unable to be here as our third grandchild is due and she has decided to stay in Wellington to support baby and mother.

The thought of a cup to recognise Trans-Tasman netball tests goes back three years ago when I was asked to present the Bledisloe Cup for rugby union at Eden Park in Auckland to the winner of that competition on 21 July 2007.  Due to a drawn series, the Cup remained in New Zealand hands and I had the privilege of handing it over to the captain, Richie McCaw.

On the same day that the All  Blacks retained the Bledisloe, the Silver Ferns netballers played Australia in a test in Melbourne, and won which was a cause for much celebration, as can be imagined.

On the next day, Susan pointed out contrasting photographs in the New Zealand media of Richie McCaw holding up the Bledisloe Cup and Kiwi netball captain Adine Wilson with her hands in the air holding up … well … nothing.

Those contrasting images led to the thought that there was a need for an enduring trophy to recognise the intense netball rivalry between Australia and New Zealand.  It is a rivalry which goes back to the first test played in 1938 and it is just as fierce a competition as that which is displayed in rugby union, rugby league and cricket.  Over the 90 plus matches there have been only two draws and only rarely more than a five goal difference either way.

The result of that initial thinking was mention of this between Governors-General level followed by equally positive discussions with both netball associations, which have picked up the concept enthusiastically. 

The Constellation Cup, the name of which links with the Southern Cross seen in the night sky of both nations, will henceforth provide an enduring focus for netball competitions between New Zealand and Australia.

I am sure the Constellation Cup will come to be a focus for the best players of the future in both nations and will be something that young Australian and New Zealand women can aspire to.

I don’t need to reveal in public who I will be cheering for a little later on.  Regardless of the outcome, I am sure we will be treated to a match and a series marked by great skill, athleticism and team spirit on both sides. 

And on that note I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.   No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.