July 10, 2024 • 43 mins
D'Arcy Waldegrave returns to recap an exciting day in the world of sports! Highlights for tonight include:
Blair Tuke - Co CEO of Sail GP New Zealand Team - On the return of the regatta to Auckland in 2025.
Talkback - Are you confident this event will go ahead?
Nick Becker - Auckland FC CEO - Officially signing a five year deal with 'Go Media' Mt Smart Stadium.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
A very good evening to you all. Welcome to sports
Talk care and Newstalk ZEDB. My name's Darcy Wardergrave, with
you through tail eight o'clock this evening, taking your calls,
your texts on the subject of sailing, and we'll touch
on venues for Auckland FC as well. Lines will be
open one hundred and eighty ten eighty free phone number
(00:55):
nation wide. Of course you can text nineteen ninety two
z b ZB. Standard text charges do apply to that.
Bleir Tuke joins us shortly, America's Cup winner co CEO
of sale GPS at New Zealand's team the Black Foils,
talking about the announcement that sale GP will be returning
(01:18):
to New Zealand January twenty twenty five, not so long away,
six months give l take middle of January. That events
do to set down, you're confident will actually get here.
You still got any joy around? This event has gone
through a lot of trouble, hasn't it. But it looks
like it's arriving. We talk bad joke about that shortly
(01:38):
that we'll take your calls from a sailing perspective, from
a big events perspective here in Auckland City, about the
import of this and going well and your confidence around
it actually going ahead after what happened last time round
when they packed the sad and Ranolf christ Jurse. Nick
Becker also joins us. He's the Auckland FC Chief executive officer.
(02:01):
Go Media. Mount Stadium is the choice. It's a pretty
poorly kept secret. It's out of the bag now. That
is where Auckland FC are setting up camp for at
least five years. A good stadium choice. Well, it came
to the fans. What about previous failures down there? We
talk all about that with Nick Becker up toward the
(02:23):
end of the program. Before we do that, let's get amongst.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
This sport today and.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
In sport today, well actually tomorrow the English face the
might of the Dutch in tomorrow morning's Year twenty four
semi final. Well, it's fair to say they're hardly on
a tear, but manager our Southgate is okay with that.
He thinks they'll find a way.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
The external noise was louder than it's ever been, so
I felt we couldn't quite get ourselves in the right place,
and what was impressive was that the players ground it out,
They ground results out and found ways to.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Win, chasing an eighth title on the grass at wimbled
and Novak Jukola chas to get through Ossie demonon first
it's not a shoe and for the quarter finals. As Novak,
he's always had that speed, he's always had that incredible
defense and really crafty hands on all the surfaces, particularly
the quicker ones. Love that description of Alex crafty hands.
(03:21):
It appears that the T twenty results against England aren't
top of mind for the White Films beaten again overnight.
Here's pace bowler lea to who who looking toward the
World Cup.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
That is a looking at different ways of being able
to score, knowing the conditions that we're going to over
there and trying to probably open up more areas of
the ground. And as bowlers, I think most seamers have
got one or two sort of slow balls and different
variations that we've been working on.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
And Darren Baisley has had his work cut out securing
the services of some of his older players for the
Lympic Games. It's essentially an under twenty three comp but
it's still tricky, so this has.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
Been a challenge a months. Really, We've been in conversations
with players and clubs for quite a while working on release.
Because the is not a fee for window. It's different
to a lot of our other squads that we're able
to choose from.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
And that's sports today.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
It's one. Welcome to news Talk z B to co
CEO or Black Foils. We're talking Sale GP bliarch on
the line from Barcelona of all places. How's Europe treating you? Yeah?
Speaker 7 (04:28):
Good, Dasi, all good, thank you. About to hop on
a plane to San Francisco. So yeah, pretty exciting week
ahead of us, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Well, it's exciting for the fans of Sale GP released today.
There the party is coming to Auckland. It's taken quite
some time. You quite satisfied and confident that it will
actually land in Thomaking Makoto this time around.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Yeah, taking time round, but really hopeful and or confident
that it's going to You know, teams right from the
local team to the global team been putting in a
huge amount of work with government and council to make
it happen. So yeah, not too far away now, I
mean It's a little bit interesting timing for us where
we're about to go into the season finale, the last
dance for this season, but obviously greatly that season Canadist
(05:14):
next year come to shape and have a stop and
aldhead or there, so.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Work around what you have to do ahead of this
or more's the point what the people in Auckland have
to do to set this up? Is it quite an
onerous task looking ahead to this? Is there anything that
might get in the way?
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Well, I think the thing about Salgip is that we've
raced what's going to be what fourteen times in a season,
so the model is similar wherever we go. But obviously
you need to localize it, localize it and each venue
has its own peific things as to how you activate it.
But because the models there, I think it can be
can be done very well. I'm confidently going to have
(05:51):
a great event. And I guess the thing is that
Kiwi fans are amazing. I mean the racing we've had
in Littleton for two years now has been the crowds
has been amazing, so there's no you know, I can
see that happening again in Toomacky Makoto, So just yeah,
pump to be able to race it again at home.
We're a team that been the whole year racing away
all these different places around the globe, but they have
(06:13):
the opportunity to race in front of our home fans
on the waiting car is going to be the epic.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
So what changed between the cancelation last time around them
moving back down to christ and the go ahead this time?
What was the major shift to get this event up
and running? Blair?
Speaker 7 (06:29):
I think, first of all, I'm not you know, obviously
we're the cocos of the team, so where this has
been led by the league with the local league representatives,
so it's not on the ins and outs of it.
But I think the league just more satisfied that we're
going to have an event that we want to show
and obviously still pretty early on in the growth phase
(06:50):
of LGP, and we want to make sure every time
we're going out there, we're putting on an awesome Spectaclener.
I think the conference there is there now to do
that in Auckland, so I just can't wait to have
the opportunity to do that. Sen Or, it's going to
be eleven if he's ripping around in a Harvard it's
going to be unreal.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
It's going to look crazy seeing these these craft because
it's hard to call them boats in this day and age.
And the wind sweat to Watamata. It promises a massive
amount of excitement and great fan viewing. And I think
that's why we're in a situation where Russell Coots was
so keen to actually place it where he's placed it
(07:31):
in that wind, you'd quarter you get the best wind,
you get the best opportunity to view that. That's the
premium spot, isn't it, Blair?
Speaker 7 (07:38):
Yeah, sure has. That's been the model in sol gp
Rup from the outset is that we want to have
fanned as close to action as possible and as many
fans as we can. You know the plans for how
that's going to get activated down there, and you know
the amount of people that are going to be very
close to racings. Yes, it's looking great. You know there's
people listening now that experience. That thing done in Littleton
(07:59):
was an epic event and you have to be able
to do that now and in Auckland's going to be unreal.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So you're saying before your coat, CEO of the Black Four,
so don't have a great deal to do with the
building or the structure behind what actually happens on when
you point, But how deeply involved are you? To what
degree are you engaged with the preparation, with your knowledge
I suppose of New Zealand conditions, your knowledge of sale GP.
(08:26):
Do you have any any flesh in the game.
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Of course we do because it's our local event and
we want that to be a success. Like I said before,
we race all around the world, but to have the
opportunity to race in front of our home fans is
a really important one for us. And as you know,
we're still are releive the new new team growing. A
lot of how we present or how the events presented
(08:50):
and how how the teams activated through that is videly
important to us. So of course we're involved, but we're
not in and out of running the event. There's you know,
we run out team in the league, and you know
that's the I guess the league and how run from
an organizational point of view that separate outside of the team,
(09:11):
much like any other not much like any other league
or any other sporting event would around the world.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
But the big story around last time around was the
contaminants on the site. There was a lot of pushing
and pulling around that the lease has ended, the site's
being remediated as far as the toxicity of it. How
deep are you involved in the knowledge around how that
came about.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm did rather the beginning. We're
having these convos that's in January, but I'm pretty much
full head down and trying to lift the trophy this
season at the moment. But obviously we've got to a
level where the league's got to a level with the
local council where they know they can put on a
successful event, and the councils have it, you know, they
obviously want to have a successful event for Auckland as well.
(09:58):
So we've got to that stage and that we've got
going to have the opportunity to race it home.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I don't think bleache you can overstate the importance of
the White Matar and of Auckland New Zealand's involvement in
something like the sale GP for you guys to be
performing at home, and of course it's Sir Russell Coutcher's
baby and he really wants to desplike it to the
world in his own shore. So there's really it's bit
of work to get this done, huge amount of happiness
(10:24):
and you're positive that it is actually going to go ahead.
You've got no concerns about that.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
No, no concerns. Yeah, full conference and team and like
say Russell and the league, you want to put on
a good event. I know they'll be if. I'll be
working hard to make sure it's a great showcase and
we'll be pushing from where we are to make sure
we have a you know that to the level we
want and we can put on an amazing show. The
(10:48):
key we for handed you know, so amazing to see
how much they've got behind us the last couple of
years gone in christ Church and I know that's going
to be the same in Auckland, so you can't wait
for that. It's going to be a thing.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
On the subject of season four, it comes to an end.
You be fairly comfortable with we you're at, although I'm
saying that way this is run, You're probably not ever
going to be comfortable at all, as that's the nature
of it. But your thoughts moving into Grand Final time
on what looks like a pretty cool stretch of water
at San Francisco.
Speaker 7 (11:19):
Final Event this weekend is going to be Yeah, awesome.
It's what we've been working towards for over a year now.
And no, the I mean, you're never comfortable because in
SOLGIP it comes down to one race. Although we're leading
the championship heading into the final weekend, we know it
comes down to that one twelve minute race on Sunday
(11:40):
and that will crown the season champion. So yeah, we're
full focused into that. At the moment, it seems in
great place and just really looking forward to going out
there and executing a good weekend like we know we can.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Seems odd that you've got such a large global season
and it still just comes down Look, you've got to
get in the top three, but it just comes down
to one race, as you said, ten or twelve minutes.
That is it inherently right? Is that fair? Does that
that give the leader a decent advantage? Is the structure
to me is quite strange. But you're happy with.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
That player, Well, it doesn't give the leader any advantage
when it comes to that race. Are you into that
race with three boats three boat final and any of
those boats can win. There's no advantage of being first,
second or third there so but.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
You get in you get into the final three, that's
the main thing. If you're up ahead, so that's the
only advantage, isn't you actually qualify? But beyond that there's nothing.
Is that fair?
Speaker 7 (12:37):
Yeah, well that's the way it is, and it's you
know how soldip structured right from the start, and I
think it's good. It puts a lot of impas on
that one race that corrects height. Something that's been added
this season which I think is actually recognizing that overall
season points scorer champion, so which we're we haven't. We're
(13:03):
pretty much all but tied that up. Obviously, there's and
so penalty points if you have a collision to that
probably one thing that could buye us if we had
a crash in the first part of the weekend before
the final race, But other than that, we've tired that up.
So I guess that probably recognizes that point that you're
talking about a little bit. But then when it comes
(13:25):
to the siding between those top three, then you're all square.
And so where it gets off that start line the
best and beat the other ones around the racetrack is
it's going to be the champions of the season. So
huge amount of pressure, but yeah, it's a pretty awesome
opportunity for us to go out there and show everyone
what we can do.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
And not let the Australians win five on the bounce.
It's the last thing we need. And finally and thanks
Blead Cheeks for joining us. Thank you very much. Throughout
the whole season so far. Is there actually a big
lesson that you've picked up out of your success so
far this year that you can one shape or form
apply to this final weekend in San Francisco.
Speaker 7 (14:04):
Well, we've raced very well and the finals and it's
a different style of racing when it comes to three
boats compared to ten. You have to adapt for that.
So right now in our preparation we've been there's the
first five races which constitute the San Francisco event, and
then twenty minutes later week we go okay, bomb. This
is the season's final, three three boats all on, So
(14:27):
switching mentality there and then executing a good race is
basically what it's all about. So you'll see the boats
and the start there be faster than normal, so all
the three boats will hit the start line at sea
with more of a run up, and then the San
Francisco racetrack allows opportunities for passing if you do end
(14:48):
up behind. It's similar to the christ Church or Littleton
Harbor where we had a longer court. That's similar to
that where there are some opportunities we are behind. It's
not just the first boat to the first market will win,
but that does give you a good advantage to a
huge amount of our focus will be on the start
and get into that mark in a good position.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Been a cracking season so far, highly entertaining. The television
pictures have been amazing from all over the world. Really
looking forward to seeing what you guys can pull out
and hopefully Black Foils can walk away with the title. BLEACHUK,
thanks very much for joining us. You go well.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Thanks looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
Forget the riffs call you make a call on eight
hundred eighty eighty.
Speaker 8 (15:28):
Sports Talk on your home of sport, these talks it
be Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Look, I don't want to be the guy that said,
well I've been there, done that, but I'm going to
anyway because it's very rare. I actually leave the country.
I was in San Francisco a couple of months ago
looking out at the c You don't want to sale
on that is Chales. It should be highly highly entertaining
the final of season four of sale GP Bleadchuk joining
us there. But let's move forward six months or so
(15:57):
to mid slightly late what was the eighteenth nineteenth of
January next year when sale GP arrives in Auckland. And
it arrives in Auckland, it's something that Sir Russell Coots
is very keen on and he absolutely packed a sad
last time around when he didn't get his way because
he's not used to it right. So they went and
(16:18):
they disappeared down to or to take christ Church, who
loved it very much. And then some dolphins turned up
and then we've got the temp Atatrum again. Underwhelming fact
matter is it's not going back to war to Tahoo,
but it is staying here in New Zealand and it
will be in Toommakimikoto and it is a sale city.
People love sailing, they love getting out there on the ocean,
(16:40):
and I expect it would be enormously popular and it
will go down particularly well if it goes ahead.
Speaker 9 (16:49):
Now.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I say f because when you look at what's surrounding
this as far as the site they want to build
on with the petroleum contaminants on the site. I hope
they do get it over the line. I have a
sneaking suspense that the rhetoric around this talks about mitigating
(17:14):
risks of using the site for a reasonably short amount
of time. I get the feeling that the stakeholders, the
businesses around the Sir Russell Coots and like said, we
have to make this work. Do whatever you can. It
needs to come to the Whites Matar. We need this here.
(17:35):
Work your magic by hook or by crook. I'm not
basing this on anything I've read or heard. You just
get the feeling that it was too important for Auckland
and the stakeholders and the light to actually miss out
this time around. So they went in their full noise
and got their way. I think this is a good thing.
(17:57):
I'm looking forward to it. I'll get out there on
the water, in my bath tub or whatever it is
to take a look. Should be magnificent. I can separate
the politics from the sport itself. It's the same with
the America's Cup. I'm not entirely impressed at all the
way teams in and have been behaving. Taking the America's
(18:18):
Cup off to the other side of the world. More
money get you. I understand why they don't like it,
but I still like the racing. So all the politics
around the sale GP will we won't we? What about
the dolphins? Is it contaminated? I don't like this? This
is a rich man's sport. Blah bah bah bah bah blah.
(18:38):
Does that detract from your enjoyment of this series? And
will it determine your stance on whether you engage or
not in this so? Does the politics cast a shadow
over the event so much so as you can't see
the event anymore? I have a friend who hates the politics,
(19:02):
can't stand all the arguments, and as a direct result,
it's completely turned. I don't even care anymore. I don't
even want to know. What about blah blah. I can
recognize the politics, you don't necessarily have to enjoy it,
but you can separate, right. It's like the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games is like outside of the games itself,
(19:23):
it's raught, isn't it terrible? But I can take that
away when I watch the games and enjoy the athletes
and the games for what they are. Same with the
America's Cup, same with sale GP. So it's coming to Auckland.
I asked you the question, how important is this for Auckland?
No America's Car, no Volvo race or Whitbread or whatever
(19:45):
it's called. Now it's so important for the city to
turn up, But don't care about the politics. Doesn't bother
me as long as it's here. So give me your
opinion on that. How much does the politics and the
bickering and the arguing overshadow your enjoy of a sport?
(20:09):
I don't care. I'm in. I can't wait to see it.
I don't have to like what goes on behind the scenes.
I don't have to enjoy the characters involved. But I
can enjoy it for what it is, and I think
for Auckland is awesome. Massive news. I eight hundred eighty
ten eighty it's coming to Auckland. Are you buying into
this or are you fit up to the back teeth
(20:31):
with all of this talk? Well, they won't they win,
they can they can't, they ill eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
I'm in up to my neck? What about yourself? As
this news talks? The b lines are up in one
hundred and eighty ten eighty, it's twenty six minutes after seven.
Speaker 10 (20:47):
Can show me.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
You hear it from the biggest names and sports men.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Have your say on eight hundred eighty ten eighty sports
Talk or on your home of sports and news talks
it be, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Come take it, set of flow.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Now there's that spat Stalk care and Newstalk z B
GPS coming to Auckland. Well overdu he buying into this?
(21:30):
Can you avoid the drama and the trouble and the controversy?
Wa and still climb in? Was that just put you off?
Speaker 6 (21:39):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Bryce? How are you?
Speaker 11 (21:42):
Hey do how are you?
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Not so bad. I'm looking forward to what happens in
mid January.
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Yeah, I think if we could. I like your point
about I guess I separate. I separate the politics from
the sport and have done for years because I'm not
a big fan of politics. However, one thing I would
say is if you look at the example of like
Formula One, obviously a lot of politics throughout, and now
(22:09):
they've decided to turn it into entertainment, and I think
it's ethic like that. The drive to survive all those
series on Netflix, it's just root blot and if anything,
I think when it's turned into entertainment. It makes it
more exciting. It's just how they manage the politics sometimes
if they make.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Sense, So what would be and I know what you're
saying here. So in the case of so GP, particularly,
then it could be covered in a more empathetic manner
that brings the entertainment to the forum and use the
politics to their advantage.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
Because the kind of you know, you get to know
the players a bit more. You go, oh, who are
the characters who are involved? And I suppose you've become
a little bit more interested in it, passionate and ceruse
I mean, I suppose there's lots of examples of people
being passionate about their sports teams and the politics going
(23:06):
that being really successful with salgup. I love the sport.
I don't know enough. I don't know I don't have
enough time to invest in it to find out who
the characters are, and so the politics can be a
bit annoying. But if I understood it more, then I
might entertain that idea a bit more.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
If you understood, sorry, the competition a bit more, understood
what the bickering was about.
Speaker 11 (23:30):
Both both both pretty much I kind of get it.
And it looks really exciting and I would definitely go
watch it, and I think they're incredible and I know
we're a proud nation when it comes to sailing. But yeah,
the politics are a little bit beyond me because I'm
not from a sailing family or a sailing background. So
as a general punter who was kind of marveling at
what they do, I think being able to understand what
(23:53):
the hell they're bettering about, and that would be and
who the players are. I mean, that's what I would
do if I was saying, I'd just say do what
Formula one's done.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
I want to do this. Now they're all trying to
do they've seen the success. I think Dry to Survive
is turning to attacking TV series myself. I think it's
just a wann thank you man. The first couple of
series were brilliant, but then it just became like Netflix rubbish.
But that's that's okay because it's dragged people into the sport,
and that's all these sports want to be. So to you,
(24:25):
the human stories, even if they might be headbutting human stories,
they're the ones that will drag you into the sport
and make you want to understand it more.
Speaker 11 (24:36):
Yeah, I suppose it's the way the world is now.
You you just expect to know more, you expect to
probably have access to more information, just the way the
world works with media or whatever. So I think that
would be kind of nicest. Yeah, So, I mean they're
always going to It's kind of like goal for you,
Like you pretty much name a sport, there's always going
(24:58):
to be politics around it. And the ones that seem
to capture the imaginations are the ones where you, I
guess you buy into it a little bit more, you know,
a little but more they I don't know, the characters
become more real.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
And more.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
And crazy.
Speaker 11 (25:15):
Well we've got i mean, helmet even with I don't
know a lot about sailing, but you know when I
look at old Dennis Connor back in the day and
him and that old the Homes interview, and like, I
don't know anything about sailing, but I know about that,
and I know about these larger than life characters and
the bitter rivalries and and that, and that makes the
sport seem a lot more appealing. It just seems to
(25:37):
have a story and perhaps depth, and it just it's
it's wonderful. It makes the thing incredible. So I don't
know if this is a thing they should go down,
but I will watch the racing regardless of the politics.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
But Bryce, thank you very much. Made some really relevant points.
You should ring out more around us. And I suppose
when you look to arch villains and you look to
the protagonists and the antagonists of any great story, you
need those in sport to drive interest in that. When
you look at the America's cut, I don't tell you
once every hand full of years, but Jimmy Spittal, what
(26:11):
a villain, What a fantastic villain. Everyone rattied against the
guy and you bought him because it's a human exchange.
It's a human drama, and we're people. We love peoples
and we will love other people. So when it becomes
that that situation where it's just massed men and machines,
you do lose an attachment. Brett High, how are you?
Speaker 9 (26:32):
That's a good thanks. Just a brief comment. I was
attendant both events down down in christ Church and and
for the for the for the front consumer person sitting
in the grandstand or watching online. It's a great spectacle.
We're involved a little bit behind the scenes and in
(26:56):
the politics. Really the first year around the politics and
the process really round the UF Actually.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
What part of it wounds you up, Brett?
Speaker 9 (27:05):
What? Well, there was a lot of relied a lot
on local club support, which is great. There's a lot
of enthusiasm too, and different clubs had different different experiences,
I'm sure, and there's a lot of promise and high
punts get involved. And then that just felt very very
stuff and it sort of topp away from a bit
(27:27):
of a better the unspect of the splash boats racing around.
And so second time round we went and with a
little bit more of a of a lower expectation, and
the same promises were made and the same same lack
of delivery was there behind the scenes. So we weren't
as disappointed because we realized that. And first time round,
(27:53):
your comments about getting out on the water in your
bath don't my advice to you unless they've improved there
on the water experience significantly. Don't buy their their high
price premium anchor certificates because it's a mosh pit and
you know you're much rather, you're much better to pay
(28:14):
your money and sit in the stands for an allocated
seat than have a first flight out of the water
trying to get trying to get a position for supposedly
premium position.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Have you ever been at the White Matar on an
average weekend or over the holidays when there's those boats.
It's like that anyway, it makes no difference. That's what
it is. It's a rockets, right, it is as well.
Speaker 9 (28:34):
It sounds like you're you're well experienced, or when you're
paying a significant coin you expect a little bit more order,
like sitting in your grandstands or whatever. The spectacle is great,
and I think I think they try and and they
leverage a lot of a lot of support based on that,
and they just seem to be canceled that that they
deliver on it around seconds or third time round, or
(28:56):
they may find that a little bit of gloss of
behind the scenes support may may come off it expect.
I agree, it's fantastic that the new Yeah, it is.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
It's great for these when you consider also, Bretain, thanks
for your call that the lack of major events here
in New zeal this is problematic. We used to have
some really cool events and they're slowly but surely disappearing.
Remember the sevens Do you remember that? Oh that's right, Well,
the shine went off that pretty quick. Will the shine
go off? This not initially, it won't buying into human
(29:29):
drama huge Yet we've got the technology, you got the speed.
You want everything in place, because this is being positioned
as a very high pollutant sport. This is right up
here at the top. This is going around some amazing
places all over the world, and it is positioned as luxury,
first class sport and it should be treated like that.
(29:54):
So there's behind the scenes stuff, there's already matter. It
probably doesn't. It doesn't matter to me. I just want
to see them racing. And I think the import of
having the Wata Matar involved in some form of high
spec racing is so important the sport in New Zealand
and for the industry here in New Zealand which had
(30:17):
that plays up Walkworth. He used to build all those
America's cup and sold GP boats. That's gone now. I
think it's rocket lab, isn't it. They built rocket trips
up there now, which is pretty cool itself. It's twenty
one minutes to eight lines are open at eight hundred
eighty ten eighty. I'd love your thoughts. I'd love your text.
Let's get a monks. This is the news talks.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Still bread.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
That's so scary for you.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Take a good thing and I love one name.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Nick Becker joins the program. Eventually he's Auckland FC's chief
executive officer. Go Media Mount Smart is going to be
the home of this team. The hop skipping a jump
away before that season starts. Just round girl and I like,
(31:22):
very very close. We'll talk to NRK about the five years,
the stadium of choice, why they went there? Is it
the right idea? And where's the one you're going to
build down on the waterfront. Isn't that what Bill Foley
told us on this show. I get things done? Really,
Hey Bill, meet the Auckland Council. Anyway, a go Media
Mount smartin stadium, that's where they are going to be.
(31:43):
We're talking to Nick Becker about that. Shortly. Let's run
through some text nineteen ninety two that zeb b z
b Gen writs Darcy. I agree with your views. The
game to see is the important part. Auckland will love it.
But name calling is tacky, tantrum. I don't believe son Jen.
I don't know saying someone's had a tantrum as necessarily
(32:03):
name calling is. I think some of the raretory that
came out of that situation around the endangered species was
pretty tantrum esque. I do. I don't know if that's
a name coin, but you know, by all means, thank
very much for your text. Everyone's welcome to their opinion.
Nineteen nineteen, z Z B. Darcy writes, Steve so Gp
(32:25):
and the America's Cup are amazing. The boat's speeds are scary,
and how all going to boat that big take flight
on a diny foil? Now it doesn't make sense. And
they are terrifying, especially when you see them in the flesh,
very very close and called them before talking about how
it's well, it's a concrete mixer out there when you've
(32:47):
got a whole lot of spectator craft trying to watch.
I remember that America's Cup was here. Last are getting
out in jostling for position, But that was part of
the joy. That was part of the fun. And I
think a lot of people who enjoy sailing, they enjoyed boating,
they enjoy the water. It's just an inherent part of
being out there. It's not necessary really comfortable. It's a
bit dog eat dog's that's good, isn't it? Isn't that
(33:10):
part of sailing. Now the text Darcy in the middle
of winter and you're talking sailing and your ratings may struggle. No,
I don't think we can talk rugby for three or
four months of the year NonStop. Think it drives pignuts.
I think this is a cool story. And finally a
decent event is coming to Auckland city. Were was talking
about how are losing events. We never have cricket because
(33:31):
we've got no venue. We've got no venues for any
other major sports, so we end up going to far
flung ones that probably aren't fit for purpose. But there
you go. So finally a good story, a venue should
go ahead, even though it's on not shaky ground but
petrol soaked ground. I like to talk about this not
(33:53):
only for Auckland, writes Kristen. We as New Zealanders are
so behind this from the bluff. Kristin, thanks very much
for that. Yeah. I mentioned Auckland because I feel that
vast amount of population are based in Auckland. It is
the city of sales and it's going to be what
you'd expect to be, so GP's natural home. With all
(34:16):
due respect to or to play christ Church and what
they did down there. This is the Auckland, this is
the sailing capital. So it's wonderful. Even though noses are
put out a joint and even though there was a
bit of throwing of weight, the final outcome that was
desired I think for all sports fans and sailors has occurred.
(34:38):
This is a good thing. So the politics or the
mechinations behind it, to me are irrelevant. They're fun to
talk about as long as the product is front and
center for everyone to enjoy. And that's what we've got.
Fourteen minutes to eight Sports Talk on News Talk z B.
(34:58):
Nick Becker joins the program. Next we're talking Auckland FC
off Tarada, Tonga. It's Mount Smart, Go Media, Mount Smart.
That's what it used to be called.
Speaker 10 (35:10):
Right, bring a friend, you're come until sell.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Them bringing when you're playing, he's dragging about me when
you're riding where he's driving.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
No, you is CEO of Auckland FC. Nick Becker joins
the program. Now on the news that it's official, Go Media.
Mount Smart Stadium is the home of this new A
League club. Welcome in, Nick, great to have you on board.
Terribly kept secret. It's nice now it is out and official.
Speaker 10 (35:49):
Though yes, absolutely. Thanks thanks for having me Darcy.
Speaker 11 (35:52):
Yes it is.
Speaker 10 (35:52):
It's a proud day for Auckland f C. We can
actually finally say we've officially got our home at Go
Media Stadium. It was like, obviously, as you mentioned, one
of the worst kept secrets in sport in New Zealand.
But now we can we can sort of talk about
it and officially sell our tickets that we've been selling,
our memberships that we've been selling there for about two
months now as well.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Why Mount Smart What particularly dragged you toward or beckoned
you from when it comes to that particular stadium.
Speaker 10 (36:20):
It's a good question. I think there's a there's a
whole range of things. In short, I think it's it's
much better in terms of its design for football, a
rectang of the stadium where twenty six thousand people all
on top of the pitch. There's there's sort of every
seats a great view and you can create a really
electric atmosphere there. I mean, you're you're a Warriors fan,
(36:43):
you would have been out there and seen it many
times and you know how powerful it can be to
have that kind of proud support behind the team. We
really wanted to create our own Fortress and we felt
like that was the right venue for it. On top
of that, there's also some great sort of opportunities to
build out an amazing fan experience at the stadium.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
So you know, you've got.
Speaker 10 (37:04):
Lily World out there, which is a where our hardcore
supporters they've called themselves Support and they're growing in numbers
every day, are going to meet their pre match. Then
they'll sort of march down together into that South Stand
and that's where they'll bring the color and the noise
and the flags and everything else that comes with that
kind of support that's very unique to football. And then
(37:26):
at the other end of the pitch within the stadium,
you've got that big D zone where it's perfect for
a family activation area, and we're going to do that.
We're going to build out something which has got, you know,
something for all of the family. We're really conscious that,
you know, the groundswell of support for football that's grown
over the last sort of five ten years has come
(37:46):
from families who engage in the game and they're playing
it across the seventy three clubs across Auckland.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
Is that what makes it different from the failed Kings experiment,
the fact that football now has got a lot more
traction here in and in Tamachy Makota.
Speaker 10 (37:59):
Yeah, without a doubt, I think, you know, the Kings
and then and then the Nights that followed, I think
they were effectively playing in a different era for the sport.
You know, you look at how much the sport's grown.
There's forty thousand plus young boys and girls playing the
game across Aukland. There's one hundred thousand people actually participating
in total. And you've got those seventy three clubs and
(38:19):
some of them are massive. You know, you've got Western
Springs with over three thousand kids and then there's another
eleven twelve clubs which I've got one thousand, fifteen hundred
players there too, So you've got a huge concentration of
young families have jumped on the sport and it's off
the back of the growth of the game globally successive
of the All Whites and the Football Ferns and also
(38:43):
a really successful World Cup last season and a great
season I must say for well into Phoenix last season
as well. You know, we were really a were super
happy for them to go so far into the A
League last season, but also seeing you know, thirty three
thirty five thousand down at the Caketon and Wellington for
their semi final against Victory was really really inspiring for us.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Did you crack a good deal with Auckland Council to
get access to Mount Smart and were there that only
stadium you looked to? Did you talk to Eden part
for example?
Speaker 10 (39:18):
Oh, yeah, we've had conversations with everyone. Of course, you know,
be it'd be mad of us not to, but yeah,
it's fair to say that the guys that's It's Go
Media Stadium have been really really supportive of us. They've
they've also seen the kind of opportunity that the team
is going to bring to their stadium in terms of
(39:39):
increasing their sport content but also kind of programming sport
across as summer break as well well for the whole
summer pearance. Sorry, and and they've really come on boards
as properly as partners rather than just a sort of
like a tenant and in kind of less whole agreement.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
So the class with the Warriors, it's not going to
happen at the start of the season. Would it happened
toward the end of the season. I'm sure that NRL
aren't exactly flexible when it comes to that. But is
that an issue moving into the future, Nick.
Speaker 10 (40:10):
Yeah, I don't think it's going to be an issue.
We've been talking about it from day one. The team
at the Warriors have been fantastic that they're really supporting
us coming in there as kind of co tenants at
the stadium, and there's only a couple of months where
it's a real issue. So you've kind of got the
March April period where we may have the occasional weekend
(40:33):
where both ourselves and the Warriors play, but that the
stadiums set up for it. Everybody's aware of that as
a possibility. We're going to try and avoid it obviously
is as much as we can, but if it does happen,
we'll be prepared and everybody's happy with it.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
You said nineteenth of October, what has to happen to
Mount Smart to make it a leg ready? Specifically, I
look at the quality of the pitch and other things
that are football centric. What do you have to do
between now and then.
Speaker 10 (41:02):
Nick, Well, first of all, we've got to switch out
the ruby post for for goals, so that'll be job
number one. No, do you know what the stadium has
hosted a number of football matches. The pitches in great condition.
We're out there today for the announcement and I had
a little walk round it. It's a really really good
(41:22):
bit of grass, like we've got no complaints there at all.
I was there with Steve Coriker, our head coach, and
Cam Howise and one of our players, and they both
commented on how well the pitches is holding up due
to the fact that it's winter and it's had a
warrior season, right, so we've got no warriores at all
about the pitch. In terms of changes that we want
to make, the majority of them is we're gonna We're
(41:45):
gonna make a few changes, but they're going to be
around our match day experience and we've talked to the
stadium about it. They are actually investing in that too,
so they've they've kind of helped us along the way
in terms of, you know, whether it's infrastructure or signage,
whatever that may be. They've really come to the party
and supported us on that as well.
Speaker 8 (42:03):
The Right call is your call on eighty Sports Talk.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
Call on your home of Sports News Talk sib NO.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
You're on Nick Becker Sport team and that's what it
needs to be. The complete package. Great sport, great surrounds,
great fun for the kids, great food, a huge experience.
That's what you need. Yes, thank you so much for
joining the program, Nick, and thanks will be a Tuke
as well. Thanks to you who called through, thanks to
(42:35):
you who texted, Thanks to you guys who all listened
as well. Any Duff, thanks for producing the program. My
name's Darcy Watergrave. I had it mark slices up next.
I'll be back tomorrow from seven here on news Talks dB.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
It'd be from Sex than pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldegrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
A very good evening to you all. Welcome to sports
Talk care and Newstalk ZEDB. My name's Darcy Wardergrave, with
you through tail eight o'clock this evening, taking your calls,
your texts on the subject of sailing, and we'll touch
on venues for Auckland FC as well. Lines will be
open one hundred and eighty ten eighty free phone number
(00:55):
nation wide. Of course you can text nineteen ninety two
z b ZB. Standard text charges do apply to that.
Bleir Tuke joins us shortly, America's Cup winner co CEO
of sale GPS at New Zealand's team the Black Foils,
talking about the announcement that sale GP will be returning
(01:18):
to New Zealand January twenty twenty five, not so long away,
six months give l take middle of January. That events
do to set down, you're confident will actually get here.
You still got any joy around? This event has gone
through a lot of trouble, hasn't it. But it looks
like it's arriving. We talk bad joke about that shortly
(01:38):
that we'll take your calls from a sailing perspective, from
a big events perspective here in Auckland City, about the
import of this and going well and your confidence around
it actually going ahead after what happened last time round
when they packed the sad and Ranolf christ Jurse. Nick
Becker also joins us. He's the Auckland FC Chief executive officer.
(02:01):
Go Media. Mount Stadium is the choice. It's a pretty
poorly kept secret. It's out of the bag now. That
is where Auckland FC are setting up camp for at
least five years. A good stadium choice. Well, it came
to the fans. What about previous failures down there? We
talk all about that with Nick Becker up toward the
(02:23):
end of the program. Before we do that, let's get amongst.
Speaker 3 (02:27):
This sport today and.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
In sport today, well actually tomorrow the English face the
might of the Dutch in tomorrow morning's Year twenty four
semi final. Well, it's fair to say they're hardly on
a tear, but manager our Southgate is okay with that.
He thinks they'll find a way.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
The external noise was louder than it's ever been, so
I felt we couldn't quite get ourselves in the right place,
and what was impressive was that the players ground it out,
They ground results out and found ways to.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
Win, chasing an eighth title on the grass at wimbled
and Novak Jukola chas to get through Ossie demonon first
it's not a shoe and for the quarter finals. As Novak,
he's always had that speed, he's always had that incredible
defense and really crafty hands on all the surfaces, particularly
the quicker ones. Love that description of Alex crafty hands.
(03:21):
It appears that the T twenty results against England aren't
top of mind for the White Films beaten again overnight.
Here's pace bowler lea to who who looking toward the
World Cup.
Speaker 5 (03:34):
That is a looking at different ways of being able
to score, knowing the conditions that we're going to over
there and trying to probably open up more areas of
the ground. And as bowlers, I think most seamers have
got one or two sort of slow balls and different
variations that we've been working on.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
And Darren Baisley has had his work cut out securing
the services of some of his older players for the
Lympic Games. It's essentially an under twenty three comp but
it's still tricky, so this has.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
Been a challenge a months. Really, We've been in conversations
with players and clubs for quite a while working on release.
Because the is not a fee for window. It's different
to a lot of our other squads that we're able
to choose from.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
And that's sports today.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
It's one. Welcome to news Talk z B to co
CEO or Black Foils. We're talking Sale GP bliarch on
the line from Barcelona of all places. How's Europe treating you? Yeah?
Speaker 7 (04:28):
Good, Dasi, all good, thank you. About to hop on
a plane to San Francisco. So yeah, pretty exciting week
ahead of us, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Well, it's exciting for the fans of Sale GP released today.
There the party is coming to Auckland. It's taken quite
some time. You quite satisfied and confident that it will
actually land in Thomaking Makoto this time around.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Yeah, taking time round, but really hopeful and or confident
that it's going to You know, teams right from the
local team to the global team been putting in a
huge amount of work with government and council to make
it happen. So yeah, not too far away now, I
mean It's a little bit interesting timing for us where
we're about to go into the season finale, the last
dance for this season, but obviously greatly that season Canadist
(05:14):
next year come to shape and have a stop and
aldhead or there, so.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Work around what you have to do ahead of this
or more's the point what the people in Auckland have
to do to set this up? Is it quite an
onerous task looking ahead to this? Is there anything that
might get in the way?
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Well, I think the thing about Salgip is that we've
raced what's going to be what fourteen times in a season,
so the model is similar wherever we go. But obviously
you need to localize it, localize it and each venue
has its own peific things as to how you activate it.
But because the models there, I think it can be
can be done very well. I'm confidently going to have
(05:51):
a great event. And I guess the thing is that
Kiwi fans are amazing. I mean the racing we've had
in Littleton for two years now has been the crowds
has been amazing, so there's no you know, I can
see that happening again in Toomacky Makoto, So just yeah,
pump to be able to race it again at home.
We're a team that been the whole year racing away
all these different places around the globe, but they have
(06:13):
the opportunity to race in front of our home fans
on the waiting car is going to be the epic.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
So what changed between the cancelation last time around them
moving back down to christ and the go ahead this time?
What was the major shift to get this event up
and running? Blair?
Speaker 7 (06:29):
I think, first of all, I'm not you know, obviously
we're the cocos of the team, so where this has
been led by the league with the local league representatives,
so it's not on the ins and outs of it.
But I think the league just more satisfied that we're
going to have an event that we want to show
and obviously still pretty early on in the growth phase
(06:50):
of LGP, and we want to make sure every time
we're going out there, we're putting on an awesome Spectaclener.
I think the conference there is there now to do
that in Auckland, so I just can't wait to have
the opportunity to do that. Sen Or, it's going to
be eleven if he's ripping around in a Harvard it's
going to be unreal.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
It's going to look crazy seeing these these craft because
it's hard to call them boats in this day and age.
And the wind sweat to Watamata. It promises a massive
amount of excitement and great fan viewing. And I think
that's why we're in a situation where Russell Coots was
so keen to actually place it where he's placed it
(07:31):
in that wind, you'd quarter you get the best wind,
you get the best opportunity to view that. That's the
premium spot, isn't it, Blair?
Speaker 7 (07:38):
Yeah, sure has. That's been the model in sol gp
Rup from the outset is that we want to have
fanned as close to action as possible and as many
fans as we can. You know the plans for how
that's going to get activated down there, and you know
the amount of people that are going to be very
close to racings. Yes, it's looking great. You know there's
people listening now that experience. That thing done in Littleton
(07:59):
was an epic event and you have to be able
to do that now and in Auckland's going to be unreal.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So you're saying before your coat, CEO of the Black Four,
so don't have a great deal to do with the
building or the structure behind what actually happens on when
you point, But how deeply involved are you? To what
degree are you engaged with the preparation, with your knowledge
I suppose of New Zealand conditions, your knowledge of sale GP.
(08:26):
Do you have any any flesh in the game.
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Of course we do because it's our local event and
we want that to be a success. Like I said before,
we race all around the world, but to have the
opportunity to race in front of our home fans is
a really important one for us. And as you know,
we're still are releive the new new team growing. A
lot of how we present or how the events presented
(08:50):
and how how the teams activated through that is videly
important to us. So of course we're involved, but we're
not in and out of running the event. There's you know,
we run out team in the league, and you know
that's the I guess the league and how run from
an organizational point of view that separate outside of the team,
(09:11):
much like any other not much like any other league
or any other sporting event would around the world.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
But the big story around last time around was the
contaminants on the site. There was a lot of pushing
and pulling around that the lease has ended, the site's
being remediated as far as the toxicity of it. How
deep are you involved in the knowledge around how that
came about.
Speaker 7 (09:36):
Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm did rather the beginning. We're
having these convos that's in January, but I'm pretty much
full head down and trying to lift the trophy this
season at the moment. But obviously we've got to a
level where the league's got to a level with the
local council where they know they can put on a
successful event, and the councils have it, you know, they
obviously want to have a successful event for Auckland as well.
(09:58):
So we've got to that stage and that we've got
going to have the opportunity to race it home.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
I don't think bleache you can overstate the importance of
the White Matar and of Auckland New Zealand's involvement in
something like the sale GP for you guys to be
performing at home, and of course it's Sir Russell Coutcher's
baby and he really wants to desplike it to the
world in his own shore. So there's really it's bit
of work to get this done, huge amount of happiness
(10:24):
and you're positive that it is actually going to go ahead.
You've got no concerns about that.
Speaker 7 (10:28):
No, no concerns. Yeah, full conference and team and like
say Russell and the league, you want to put on
a good event. I know they'll be if. I'll be
working hard to make sure it's a great showcase and
we'll be pushing from where we are to make sure
we have a you know that to the level we
want and we can put on an amazing show. The
(10:48):
key we for handed you know, so amazing to see
how much they've got behind us the last couple of
years gone in christ Church and I know that's going
to be the same in Auckland, so you can't wait
for that. It's going to be a thing.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
On the subject of season four, it comes to an end.
You be fairly comfortable with we you're at, although I'm
saying that way this is run, You're probably not ever
going to be comfortable at all, as that's the nature
of it. But your thoughts moving into Grand Final time
on what looks like a pretty cool stretch of water
at San Francisco.
Speaker 7 (11:19):
Final Event this weekend is going to be Yeah, awesome.
It's what we've been working towards for over a year now.
And no, the I mean, you're never comfortable because in
SOLGIP it comes down to one race. Although we're leading
the championship heading into the final weekend, we know it
comes down to that one twelve minute race on Sunday
(11:40):
and that will crown the season champion. So yeah, we're
full focused into that. At the moment, it seems in
great place and just really looking forward to going out
there and executing a good weekend like we know we can.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Seems odd that you've got such a large global season
and it still just comes down Look, you've got to
get in the top three, but it just comes down
to one race, as you said, ten or twelve minutes.
That is it inherently right? Is that fair? Does that
that give the leader a decent advantage? Is the structure
to me is quite strange. But you're happy with.
Speaker 7 (12:13):
That player, Well, it doesn't give the leader any advantage
when it comes to that race. Are you into that
race with three boats three boat final and any of
those boats can win. There's no advantage of being first,
second or third there so but.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
You get in you get into the final three, that's
the main thing. If you're up ahead, so that's the
only advantage, isn't you actually qualify? But beyond that there's nothing.
Is that fair?
Speaker 7 (12:37):
Yeah, well that's the way it is, and it's you
know how soldip structured right from the start, and I
think it's good. It puts a lot of impas on
that one race that corrects height. Something that's been added
this season which I think is actually recognizing that overall
season points scorer champion, so which we're we haven't. We're
(13:03):
pretty much all but tied that up. Obviously, there's and
so penalty points if you have a collision to that
probably one thing that could buye us if we had
a crash in the first part of the weekend before
the final race, But other than that, we've tired that up.
So I guess that probably recognizes that point that you're
talking about a little bit. But then when it comes
(13:25):
to the siding between those top three, then you're all square.
And so where it gets off that start line the
best and beat the other ones around the racetrack is
it's going to be the champions of the season. So
huge amount of pressure, but yeah, it's a pretty awesome
opportunity for us to go out there and show everyone
what we can do.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
And not let the Australians win five on the bounce.
It's the last thing we need. And finally and thanks
Blead Cheeks for joining us. Thank you very much. Throughout
the whole season so far. Is there actually a big
lesson that you've picked up out of your success so
far this year that you can one shape or form
apply to this final weekend in San Francisco.
Speaker 7 (14:04):
Well, we've raced very well and the finals and it's
a different style of racing when it comes to three
boats compared to ten. You have to adapt for that.
So right now in our preparation we've been there's the
first five races which constitute the San Francisco event, and
then twenty minutes later week we go okay, bomb. This
is the season's final, three three boats all on, So
(14:27):
switching mentality there and then executing a good race is
basically what it's all about. So you'll see the boats
and the start there be faster than normal, so all
the three boats will hit the start line at sea
with more of a run up, and then the San
Francisco racetrack allows opportunities for passing if you do end
(14:48):
up behind. It's similar to the christ Church or Littleton
Harbor where we had a longer court. That's similar to
that where there are some opportunities we are behind. It's
not just the first boat to the first market will win,
but that does give you a good advantage to a
huge amount of our focus will be on the start
and get into that mark in a good position.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Been a cracking season so far, highly entertaining. The television
pictures have been amazing from all over the world. Really
looking forward to seeing what you guys can pull out
and hopefully Black Foils can walk away with the title. BLEACHUK,
thanks very much for joining us. You go well.
Speaker 7 (15:23):
Thanks looking forward to it.
Speaker 3 (15:24):
Forget the riffs call you make a call on eight
hundred eighty eighty.
Speaker 8 (15:28):
Sports Talk on your home of sport, these talks it
be Yeah.
Speaker 2 (15:34):
Look, I don't want to be the guy that said,
well I've been there, done that, but I'm going to
anyway because it's very rare. I actually leave the country.
I was in San Francisco a couple of months ago
looking out at the c You don't want to sale
on that is Chales. It should be highly highly entertaining
the final of season four of sale GP Bleadchuk joining
us there. But let's move forward six months or so
(15:57):
to mid slightly late what was the eighteenth nineteenth of
January next year when sale GP arrives in Auckland. And
it arrives in Auckland, it's something that Sir Russell Coots
is very keen on and he absolutely packed a sad
last time around when he didn't get his way because
he's not used to it right. So they went and
(16:18):
they disappeared down to or to take christ Church, who
loved it very much. And then some dolphins turned up
and then we've got the temp Atatrum again. Underwhelming fact
matter is it's not going back to war to Tahoo,
but it is staying here in New Zealand and it
will be in Toommakimikoto and it is a sale city.
People love sailing, they love getting out there on the ocean,
(16:40):
and I expect it would be enormously popular and it
will go down particularly well if it goes ahead.
Speaker 9 (16:49):
Now.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I say f because when you look at what's surrounding
this as far as the site they want to build
on with the petroleum contaminants on the site. I hope
they do get it over the line. I have a
sneaking suspense that the rhetoric around this talks about mitigating
(17:14):
risks of using the site for a reasonably short amount
of time. I get the feeling that the stakeholders, the
businesses around the Sir Russell Coots and like said, we
have to make this work. Do whatever you can. It
needs to come to the Whites Matar. We need this here.
(17:35):
Work your magic by hook or by crook. I'm not
basing this on anything I've read or heard. You just
get the feeling that it was too important for Auckland
and the stakeholders and the light to actually miss out
this time around. So they went in their full noise
and got their way. I think this is a good thing.
(17:57):
I'm looking forward to it. I'll get out there on
the water, in my bath tub or whatever it is
to take a look. Should be magnificent. I can separate
the politics from the sport itself. It's the same with
the America's Cup. I'm not entirely impressed at all the
way teams in and have been behaving. Taking the America's
(18:18):
Cup off to the other side of the world. More
money get you. I understand why they don't like it,
but I still like the racing. So all the politics
around the sale GP will we won't we? What about
the dolphins? Is it contaminated? I don't like this? This
is a rich man's sport. Blah bah bah bah bah blah.
(18:38):
Does that detract from your enjoyment of this series? And
will it determine your stance on whether you engage or
not in this so? Does the politics cast a shadow
over the event so much so as you can't see
the event anymore? I have a friend who hates the politics,
(19:02):
can't stand all the arguments, and as a direct result,
it's completely turned. I don't even care anymore. I don't
even want to know. What about blah blah. I can
recognize the politics, you don't necessarily have to enjoy it,
but you can separate, right. It's like the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games is like outside of the games itself,
(19:23):
it's raught, isn't it terrible? But I can take that
away when I watch the games and enjoy the athletes
and the games for what they are. Same with the
America's Cup, same with sale GP. So it's coming to Auckland.
I asked you the question, how important is this for Auckland?
No America's Car, no Volvo race or Whitbread or whatever
(19:45):
it's called. Now it's so important for the city to
turn up, But don't care about the politics. Doesn't bother
me as long as it's here. So give me your
opinion on that. How much does the politics and the
bickering and the arguing overshadow your enjoy of a sport?
(20:09):
I don't care. I'm in. I can't wait to see it.
I don't have to like what goes on behind the scenes.
I don't have to enjoy the characters involved. But I
can enjoy it for what it is, and I think
for Auckland is awesome. Massive news. I eight hundred eighty
ten eighty it's coming to Auckland. Are you buying into
this or are you fit up to the back teeth
(20:31):
with all of this talk? Well, they won't they win,
they can they can't, they ill eight hundred eighty ten eighty.
I'm in up to my neck? What about yourself? As
this news talks? The b lines are up in one
hundred and eighty ten eighty, it's twenty six minutes after seven.
Speaker 10 (20:47):
Can show me.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
You hear it from the biggest names and sports men.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
Have your say on eight hundred eighty ten eighty sports
Talk or on your home of sports and news talks
it be, it's.
Speaker 1 (21:06):
Come take it, set of flow.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
Now there's that spat Stalk care and Newstalk z B
GPS coming to Auckland. Well overdu he buying into this?
(21:30):
Can you avoid the drama and the trouble and the controversy?
Wa and still climb in? Was that just put you off?
Speaker 6 (21:39):
Hey?
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Bryce? How are you?
Speaker 11 (21:42):
Hey do how are you?
Speaker 4 (21:43):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (21:43):
Not so bad. I'm looking forward to what happens in
mid January.
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Yeah, I think if we could. I like your point
about I guess I separate. I separate the politics from
the sport and have done for years because I'm not
a big fan of politics. However, one thing I would
say is if you look at the example of like
Formula One, obviously a lot of politics throughout, and now
(22:09):
they've decided to turn it into entertainment, and I think
it's ethic like that. The drive to survive all those
series on Netflix, it's just root blot and if anything,
I think when it's turned into entertainment. It makes it
more exciting. It's just how they manage the politics sometimes
if they make.
Speaker 2 (22:28):
Sense, So what would be and I know what you're
saying here. So in the case of so GP, particularly,
then it could be covered in a more empathetic manner
that brings the entertainment to the forum and use the
politics to their advantage.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
Because the kind of you know, you get to know
the players a bit more. You go, oh, who are
the characters who are involved? And I suppose you've become
a little bit more interested in it, passionate and ceruse
I mean, I suppose there's lots of examples of people
being passionate about their sports teams and the politics going
(23:06):
that being really successful with salgup. I love the sport.
I don't know enough. I don't know I don't have
enough time to invest in it to find out who
the characters are, and so the politics can be a
bit annoying. But if I understood it more, then I
might entertain that idea a bit more.
Speaker 2 (23:24):
If you understood, sorry, the competition a bit more, understood
what the bickering was about.
Speaker 11 (23:30):
Both both both pretty much I kind of get it.
And it looks really exciting and I would definitely go
watch it, and I think they're incredible and I know
we're a proud nation when it comes to sailing. But yeah,
the politics are a little bit beyond me because I'm
not from a sailing family or a sailing background. So
as a general punter who was kind of marveling at
what they do, I think being able to understand what
(23:53):
the hell they're bettering about, and that would be and
who the players are. I mean, that's what I would
do if I was saying, I'd just say do what
Formula one's done.
Speaker 2 (24:04):
I want to do this. Now they're all trying to
do they've seen the success. I think Dry to Survive
is turning to attacking TV series myself. I think it's
just a wann thank you man. The first couple of
series were brilliant, but then it just became like Netflix rubbish.
But that's that's okay because it's dragged people into the sport,
and that's all these sports want to be. So to you,
(24:25):
the human stories, even if they might be headbutting human stories,
they're the ones that will drag you into the sport
and make you want to understand it more.
Speaker 11 (24:36):
Yeah, I suppose it's the way the world is now.
You you just expect to know more, you expect to
probably have access to more information, just the way the
world works with media or whatever. So I think that
would be kind of nicest. Yeah, So, I mean they're
always going to It's kind of like goal for you,
Like you pretty much name a sport, there's always going
(24:58):
to be politics around it. And the ones that seem
to capture the imaginations are the ones where you, I
guess you buy into it a little bit more, you know,
a little but more they I don't know, the characters
become more real.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
And more.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
And crazy.
Speaker 11 (25:15):
Well we've got i mean, helmet even with I don't
know a lot about sailing, but you know when I
look at old Dennis Connor back in the day and
him and that old the Homes interview, and like, I
don't know anything about sailing, but I know about that,
and I know about these larger than life characters and
the bitter rivalries and and that, and that makes the
sport seem a lot more appealing. It just seems to
(25:37):
have a story and perhaps depth, and it just it's
it's wonderful. It makes the thing incredible. So I don't
know if this is a thing they should go down,
but I will watch the racing regardless of the politics.
Speaker 2 (25:48):
But Bryce, thank you very much. Made some really relevant points.
You should ring out more around us. And I suppose
when you look to arch villains and you look to
the protagonists and the antagonists of any great story, you
need those in sport to drive interest in that. When
you look at the America's cut, I don't tell you
once every hand full of years, but Jimmy Spittal, what
(26:11):
a villain, What a fantastic villain. Everyone rattied against the
guy and you bought him because it's a human exchange.
It's a human drama, and we're people. We love peoples
and we will love other people. So when it becomes
that that situation where it's just massed men and machines,
you do lose an attachment. Brett High, how are you?
Speaker 9 (26:32):
That's a good thanks. Just a brief comment. I was
attendant both events down down in christ Church and and
for the for the for the front consumer person sitting
in the grandstand or watching online. It's a great spectacle.
We're involved a little bit behind the scenes and in
(26:56):
the politics. Really the first year around the politics and
the process really round the UF Actually.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
What part of it wounds you up, Brett?
Speaker 9 (27:05):
What? Well, there was a lot of relied a lot
on local club support, which is great. There's a lot
of enthusiasm too, and different clubs had different different experiences,
I'm sure, and there's a lot of promise and high
punts get involved. And then that just felt very very
stuff and it sort of topp away from a bit
(27:27):
of a better the unspect of the splash boats racing around.
And so second time round we went and with a
little bit more of a of a lower expectation, and
the same promises were made and the same same lack
of delivery was there behind the scenes. So we weren't
as disappointed because we realized that. And first time round,
(27:53):
your comments about getting out on the water in your
bath don't my advice to you unless they've improved there
on the water experience significantly. Don't buy their their high
price premium anchor certificates because it's a mosh pit and
you know you're much rather, you're much better to pay
(28:14):
your money and sit in the stands for an allocated
seat than have a first flight out of the water
trying to get trying to get a position for supposedly
premium position.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Have you ever been at the White Matar on an
average weekend or over the holidays when there's those boats.
It's like that anyway, it makes no difference. That's what
it is. It's a rockets, right, it is as well.
Speaker 9 (28:34):
It sounds like you're you're well experienced, or when you're
paying a significant coin you expect a little bit more order,
like sitting in your grandstands or whatever. The spectacle is great,
and I think I think they try and and they
leverage a lot of a lot of support based on that,
and they just seem to be canceled that that they
deliver on it around seconds or third time round, or
(28:56):
they may find that a little bit of gloss of
behind the scenes support may may come off it expect.
I agree, it's fantastic that the new Yeah, it is.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
It's great for these when you consider also, Bretain, thanks
for your call that the lack of major events here
in New zeal this is problematic. We used to have
some really cool events and they're slowly but surely disappearing.
Remember the sevens Do you remember that? Oh that's right, Well,
the shine went off that pretty quick. Will the shine
go off? This not initially, it won't buying into human
(29:29):
drama huge Yet we've got the technology, you got the speed.
You want everything in place, because this is being positioned
as a very high pollutant sport. This is right up
here at the top. This is going around some amazing
places all over the world, and it is positioned as luxury,
first class sport and it should be treated like that.
(29:54):
So there's behind the scenes stuff, there's already matter. It
probably doesn't. It doesn't matter to me. I just want
to see them racing. And I think the import of
having the Wata Matar involved in some form of high
spec racing is so important the sport in New Zealand
and for the industry here in New Zealand which had
(30:17):
that plays up Walkworth. He used to build all those
America's cup and sold GP boats. That's gone now. I
think it's rocket lab, isn't it. They built rocket trips
up there now, which is pretty cool itself. It's twenty
one minutes to eight lines are open at eight hundred
eighty ten eighty. I'd love your thoughts. I'd love your text.
Let's get a monks. This is the news talks.
Speaker 3 (30:48):
Still bread.
Speaker 2 (30:53):
That's so scary for you.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Take a good thing and I love one name.
Speaker 2 (31:01):
Nick Becker joins the program. Eventually he's Auckland FC's chief
executive officer. Go Media Mount Smart is going to be
the home of this team. The hop skipping a jump
away before that season starts. Just round girl and I like,
(31:22):
very very close. We'll talk to NRK about the five years,
the stadium of choice, why they went there? Is it
the right idea? And where's the one you're going to
build down on the waterfront. Isn't that what Bill Foley
told us on this show. I get things done? Really,
Hey Bill, meet the Auckland Council. Anyway, a go Media
Mount smartin stadium, that's where they are going to be.
(31:43):
We're talking to Nick Becker about that. Shortly. Let's run
through some text nineteen ninety two that zeb b z
b Gen writs Darcy. I agree with your views. The
game to see is the important part. Auckland will love it.
But name calling is tacky, tantrum. I don't believe son Jen.
I don't know saying someone's had a tantrum as necessarily
(32:03):
name calling is. I think some of the raretory that
came out of that situation around the endangered species was
pretty tantrum esque. I do. I don't know if that's
a name coin, but you know, by all means, thank
very much for your text. Everyone's welcome to their opinion.
Nineteen nineteen, z Z B. Darcy writes, Steve so Gp
(32:25):
and the America's Cup are amazing. The boat's speeds are scary,
and how all going to boat that big take flight
on a diny foil? Now it doesn't make sense. And
they are terrifying, especially when you see them in the flesh,
very very close and called them before talking about how
it's well, it's a concrete mixer out there when you've
(32:47):
got a whole lot of spectator craft trying to watch.
I remember that America's Cup was here. Last are getting
out in jostling for position, But that was part of
the joy. That was part of the fun. And I
think a lot of people who enjoy sailing, they enjoyed boating,
they enjoy the water. It's just an inherent part of
being out there. It's not necessary really comfortable. It's a
bit dog eat dog's that's good, isn't it? Isn't that
(33:10):
part of sailing. Now the text Darcy in the middle
of winter and you're talking sailing and your ratings may struggle. No,
I don't think we can talk rugby for three or
four months of the year NonStop. Think it drives pignuts.
I think this is a cool story. And finally a
decent event is coming to Auckland city. Were was talking
about how are losing events. We never have cricket because
(33:31):
we've got no venue. We've got no venues for any
other major sports, so we end up going to far
flung ones that probably aren't fit for purpose. But there
you go. So finally a good story, a venue should
go ahead, even though it's on not shaky ground but
petrol soaked ground. I like to talk about this not
(33:53):
only for Auckland, writes Kristen. We as New Zealanders are
so behind this from the bluff. Kristin, thanks very much
for that. Yeah. I mentioned Auckland because I feel that
vast amount of population are based in Auckland. It is
the city of sales and it's going to be what
you'd expect to be, so GP's natural home. With all
(34:16):
due respect to or to play christ Church and what
they did down there. This is the Auckland, this is
the sailing capital. So it's wonderful. Even though noses are
put out a joint and even though there was a
bit of throwing of weight, the final outcome that was
desired I think for all sports fans and sailors has occurred.
(34:38):
This is a good thing. So the politics or the
mechinations behind it, to me are irrelevant. They're fun to
talk about as long as the product is front and
center for everyone to enjoy. And that's what we've got.
Fourteen minutes to eight Sports Talk on News Talk z B.
(34:58):
Nick Becker joins the program. Next we're talking Auckland FC
off Tarada, Tonga. It's Mount Smart, Go Media, Mount Smart.
That's what it used to be called.
Speaker 10 (35:10):
Right, bring a friend, you're come until sell.
Speaker 3 (35:17):
Them bringing when you're playing, he's dragging about me when
you're riding where he's driving.
Speaker 2 (35:27):
No, you is CEO of Auckland FC. Nick Becker joins
the program. Now on the news that it's official, Go Media.
Mount Smart Stadium is the home of this new A
League club. Welcome in, Nick, great to have you on board.
Terribly kept secret. It's nice now it is out and official.
Speaker 10 (35:49):
Though yes, absolutely. Thanks thanks for having me Darcy.
Speaker 11 (35:52):
Yes it is.
Speaker 10 (35:52):
It's a proud day for Auckland f C. We can
actually finally say we've officially got our home at Go
Media Stadium. It was like, obviously, as you mentioned, one
of the worst kept secrets in sport in New Zealand.
But now we can we can sort of talk about
it and officially sell our tickets that we've been selling,
our memberships that we've been selling there for about two
months now as well.
Speaker 2 (36:13):
Why Mount Smart What particularly dragged you toward or beckoned
you from when it comes to that particular stadium.
Speaker 10 (36:20):
It's a good question. I think there's a there's a
whole range of things. In short, I think it's it's
much better in terms of its design for football, a
rectang of the stadium where twenty six thousand people all
on top of the pitch. There's there's sort of every
seats a great view and you can create a really
electric atmosphere there. I mean, you're you're a Warriors fan,
(36:43):
you would have been out there and seen it many
times and you know how powerful it can be to
have that kind of proud support behind the team. We
really wanted to create our own Fortress and we felt
like that was the right venue for it. On top
of that, there's also some great sort of opportunities to
build out an amazing fan experience at the stadium.
Speaker 3 (37:02):
So you know, you've got.
Speaker 10 (37:04):
Lily World out there, which is a where our hardcore
supporters they've called themselves Support and they're growing in numbers
every day, are going to meet their pre match. Then
they'll sort of march down together into that South Stand
and that's where they'll bring the color and the noise
and the flags and everything else that comes with that
kind of support that's very unique to football. And then
(37:26):
at the other end of the pitch within the stadium,
you've got that big D zone where it's perfect for
a family activation area, and we're going to do that.
We're going to build out something which has got, you know,
something for all of the family. We're really conscious that,
you know, the groundswell of support for football that's grown
over the last sort of five ten years has come
(37:46):
from families who engage in the game and they're playing
it across the seventy three clubs across Auckland.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
Is that what makes it different from the failed Kings experiment,
the fact that football now has got a lot more
traction here in and in Tamachy Makota.
Speaker 10 (37:59):
Yeah, without a doubt, I think, you know, the Kings
and then and then the Nights that followed, I think
they were effectively playing in a different era for the sport.
You know, you look at how much the sport's grown.
There's forty thousand plus young boys and girls playing the
game across Aukland. There's one hundred thousand people actually participating
in total. And you've got those seventy three clubs and
(38:19):
some of them are massive. You know, you've got Western
Springs with over three thousand kids and then there's another
eleven twelve clubs which I've got one thousand, fifteen hundred
players there too, So you've got a huge concentration of
young families have jumped on the sport and it's off
the back of the growth of the game globally successive
of the All Whites and the Football Ferns and also
(38:43):
a really successful World Cup last season and a great
season I must say for well into Phoenix last season
as well. You know, we were really a were super
happy for them to go so far into the A
League last season, but also seeing you know, thirty three
thirty five thousand down at the Caketon and Wellington for
their semi final against Victory was really really inspiring for us.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
Did you crack a good deal with Auckland Council to
get access to Mount Smart and were there that only
stadium you looked to? Did you talk to Eden part
for example?
Speaker 10 (39:18):
Oh, yeah, we've had conversations with everyone. Of course, you know,
be it'd be mad of us not to, but yeah,
it's fair to say that the guys that's It's Go
Media Stadium have been really really supportive of us. They've
they've also seen the kind of opportunity that the team
is going to bring to their stadium in terms of
(39:39):
increasing their sport content but also kind of programming sport
across as summer break as well well for the whole
summer pearance. Sorry, and and they've really come on boards
as properly as partners rather than just a sort of
like a tenant and in kind of less whole agreement.
Speaker 2 (39:56):
So the class with the Warriors, it's not going to
happen at the start of the season. Would it happened
toward the end of the season. I'm sure that NRL
aren't exactly flexible when it comes to that. But is
that an issue moving into the future, Nick.
Speaker 10 (40:10):
Yeah, I don't think it's going to be an issue.
We've been talking about it from day one. The team
at the Warriors have been fantastic that they're really supporting
us coming in there as kind of co tenants at
the stadium, and there's only a couple of months where
it's a real issue. So you've kind of got the
March April period where we may have the occasional weekend
(40:33):
where both ourselves and the Warriors play, but that the
stadiums set up for it. Everybody's aware of that as
a possibility. We're going to try and avoid it obviously
is as much as we can, but if it does happen,
we'll be prepared and everybody's happy with it.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
You said nineteenth of October, what has to happen to
Mount Smart to make it a leg ready? Specifically, I
look at the quality of the pitch and other things
that are football centric. What do you have to do
between now and then.
Speaker 10 (41:02):
Nick, Well, first of all, we've got to switch out
the ruby post for for goals, so that'll be job
number one. No, do you know what the stadium has
hosted a number of football matches. The pitches in great condition.
We're out there today for the announcement and I had
a little walk round it. It's a really really good
(41:22):
bit of grass, like we've got no complaints there at all.
I was there with Steve Coriker, our head coach, and
Cam Howise and one of our players, and they both
commented on how well the pitches is holding up due
to the fact that it's winter and it's had a
warrior season, right, so we've got no warriores at all
about the pitch. In terms of changes that we want
to make, the majority of them is we're gonna We're
(41:45):
gonna make a few changes, but they're going to be
around our match day experience and we've talked to the
stadium about it. They are actually investing in that too,
so they've they've kind of helped us along the way
in terms of, you know, whether it's infrastructure or signage,
whatever that may be. They've really come to the party
and supported us on that as well.
Speaker 8 (42:03):
The Right call is your call on eighty Sports Talk.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
Call on your home of Sports News Talk sib NO.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
You're on Nick Becker Sport team and that's what it
needs to be. The complete package. Great sport, great surrounds,
great fun for the kids, great food, a huge experience.
That's what you need. Yes, thank you so much for
joining the program, Nick, and thanks will be a Tuke
as well. Thanks to you who called through, thanks to
(42:35):
you who texted, Thanks to you guys who all listened
as well. Any Duff, thanks for producing the program. My
name's Darcy Watergrave. I had it mark slices up next.
I'll be back tomorrow from seven here on news Talks dB.
Speaker 1 (43:02):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news Talks
It'd be from Sex than pm weekdays, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
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Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.