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When asked about the advantage of the relationship that the NSO had with the PSF,
respondents noted the PSF’s ability to enhance the sport in New Zealand - being involved
in this relationship allowed the NSO to tap into that opportunity. NSO5 noted:
Well, at the outset, we could see that the advantages of having a team in the
Australian league were that it would give [the sport] a higher profile, a more
consistent profile in New Zealand…. we were expecting that there would be greater
television exposure for our sport in New Zealand. We were expecting that there
would be a higher standard…. so given that we were anticipating there would be a
higher standard of [our sport] on show in New Zealand. We were expecting that our
players would be given more opportunities to play in that league. (personal
communication, 22 May, 2008)
Remembering that in New Zealand the role of any NSO is to both grow and develop
their sport from grass roots to the elite level, without the PSF the NSO was unable to
provide this level of opportunity for the players to be involved in an elite PSL. NSO 4
talked about this benefit:
And the other thing that this brings in New Zealand is exposure is one thing but it
also brings the players a lot more opportunities. Ten years ago, if you were a player
coming out of school, and you wanted to become a good [sport] player, probably
the ultimate thing you could do was go to the United States on a scholarship. But
now there’s another opportunity to link up with the [PSF] and other Australian clubs.
Because before the [PSF] came along, when the New Zealanders played in the
Aussie league, they were regarded as imports....Now that the [PSF] are in the league,
New Zealanders are regarded as Australians, like Australians. And coincidentally in
the last ten minutes I’ve just been talking to one of the other clubs in Australia, just
trying to find some talented Kiwi players to help fill out their roster. So those are
the kind of opportunities that have opened up. New Zealanders now don’t only play
for the [PSF], so all the other clubs want New Zealanders on their rosters as well,
because they see that as a way of improving their team, without having to use
import spots to do it. (personal communication, April 23, 2008)
When asked what the NSO hoped to achieve from its relationship with the PSF,
NSO3 described this combination of resources:
[T]here’s a desire to try and best utilise resources. And sure there’s not really any…
if possible, to reduce duplication. So if the [PSF] have some physical or some
coaching, or some playing resources, and [the NSO] does, there’s certainly some
coordination, and where possible, it’s not always possible but if that can help avoid
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