NZ teams settle in
CHRISTCHURCH: The early signs are that the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be a success, according to New Zealand’s team boss.
Chef de mission Rob Waddell had few qualms as he attended a flagraising ceremony in the Athletes’ Village on Friday night with Kiwi athletes and officials.
Around 180 team members from weightlifting, netball, basketball, triathlon, cycling and lawn bowls turned out for the traditional event which fell six days out from competition.
Waddell has found little to concern him as the Kiwi contin gent grows on a daily basis.
‘‘The village here is really outstanding and the Gold Coast organisers have done an incredible job of creating an environment that is welcoming, friendly but also facilitates the high performance culture we need,’’ he said.
Firsttime Games lawn bowler Tayla Bruce was inspired by the ceremony, which included indigenous traditions and a welcome by the Yugambeh people.
‘‘It was an amazing ceremony; I loved the didgeridoo. We’re one of the nations here which really celebrates our culture so that was pretty special for me,’’ she said.
‘‘It makes it feel like it’s really getting under way now and it was great to get the New Zealand team together to experience that.’’
A total of 230 team members are on the Gold Coast, which will swell to about 390 by the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
New Zealand is fielding a recordsized team of 251 athletes in 18 sports.
A smaller team won 45 medals at the Games in Glasgow four years ago, its thirdhighest overall haul, including 14 golds. — NZN