first off huge congrats to Valerie Vili on winning World Champs gold this morning in Osaka. Her rise to the top of world athletics has been a remarkable and emotional journey. At a young age relatively for shotputters she is at the top of her game. Bring on Beijing. A year or two ago I saw her in the street in Wellington and she is a giant- albeit a gentle one by all accounts. I am a little perplexed that on the Herald website this morning she is not seen as significant as the Warriors win. Is it that it is women’s sport? or athletics? This is a world championship and deserves to be shouted from the rooftops.

I went along to the Phoenix’s opening game yesterday, and it was a great occasion (despite the on-going problems at the Stadium with big ‘walk-up’ crowds.) The football was a step up from the pre-season game I saw, though the first 60 minutes were fairly forgettable for the Phoenix. The introduction of Felipe (one of two outstanding Brazilian signings) into midfield gave them some energy, and made for a brilliant final 20 minutes. Agonisingly close to a win, but no doubt most of the crowd will be back for more. Quite how the crowds for the NPC games will be affected I am not sure. It is largely a different crowd, but it is new and fresh and more people will get in behind as the weather gets warmer.