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The All Whites celebrate Shane Smeltz's goal against Italy - Source: Reuters -
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I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling slightly uncomfortable about this "ticker-tape-parade" Wellington's planning for (some of) the All Whites on Wednesday.
Maybe I've read it wrong but the ultimate in organised outdoor rallies of public adulation/celebration are normally, (and should always and only ever be), reserved for teams and/or individuals returning triumphant from sporting glory proudly displaying the spoils of victory, i.e. America's Cup, double-gold for Danyon, maybe the All Bl..(just a happy thought, that's all)!
Herein lies problem #1: The AW didn't actually win anything - other than our hearts and minds from here to Brazil 2014 and forever beyond.
Problem #2 is that the team, as a group, is no longer together - in fact far from it.
From the moment Paraguay slammed shut our 2nd round hopes, the players high-tailed it to wherever on the planet they happen to call home.
Yes it would've been ideal to most concerned to be able to keep them together for a nationwide ride of collective congratulations, but lives and livelihoods (unfortunately) take precedence.
To have then planned such a landmark celebration minus key World Cup heroes like Ryan "n'er surrender" Nelsen, Tommy "I only gently tugged his shirt ref" Smith, Winston "right place, right time" Reid, Shane "someone should've told me China's not the Gold Coast" Smeltz, Simon "age has only ever ripened me" Elliott and Rory "fearlessly going where the elbows are flying" Fallon, just doesn't seem right somehow.
The players went to Africa as a squad, played and earned their results together as a squad, so if anything ceremonial is going to officially endorse those achievements, then surely, it's only appropriate that all those involved are (also) able to participate.
Reality being, (unfortunately again), that the practical application of such a noble ideal is about as easy to accomplish as convincing Holland that the object of the game is to kick the ball into the net - not some random piece of your (Spanish) opponent's anatomy.
Ricki Herbert, Brian Turner, NZS-at-large and all the AW players who can (and will) make it on Wednesday certainly deserve to bathe in the glorious reception Wellington will undoubtedly give them.
The moments and memories they gave us for those 10 wonderful days in June define the very reasons why we fall so deeply and maddeningly in love with random games of silly sport.
The last thing I want to do is rain on anyone's parade, but I (also) just don't think this one should (or needs to) be showered in ticker-tape.
Or maybe I'm simply jealous that I can't be there curb-side myself, making Maradona-sized man-hugs and invading personal bodyspace to a degree that only Diego so obligingly ever takes...
Do you agree with Martin Deviln? Leave your comments
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Post new commentNATALIE-P said on 2010-07-22 @ 11:11 NZDT: Report abusive post
AW's deserving a parade probably not, I cant imagine going to a parade which didnt have some of our most important AW's either.....But they deserve recognition, as do many of our sports which usually get bugger all coverage bcoz it all goes to our ALL SLACKS the "dutch of rugby". For me its frustrating coming from a country were all we are known for is rugby....Is it so wrong for our AW's to get recognition 4 there effort then?
The Slickster said on 2010-07-20 @ 14:25 NZDT: Report abusive post
Bang on the money!
j-dub said on 2010-07-20 @ 11:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
I totally agree. Parades are for WINNERS!! The All Whites, while they did us proud, didn't win jack
samuelleague said on 2010-07-19 @ 22:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Of course the only unbeaten team at the world cup isnt triumphant. Of course a draw with italy isnt triumphant. Of course playing well above our ranking isnt triumphant. Of course proving our importance to the world isnt triumphant. Of course this article is absolute nonsense
Grace2010 said on 2010-07-19 @ 15:17 NZDT: Report abusive post
It was the Wellington City Councils idea to have this parade. Not the players themselves. Besides it is supposed to culminate with the Boca Juniors game so what better excuse to get out and show our team some support. who cares if we didn't win, we weren't expected to get any points let alone 3.