Tackling the big issues: The World in Union 2017 Conference
Thursday, March 2, 2017 Tackling the big issues:
The World in Union 2017 Conference
As New Zealand prepares for the British and Irish Lions Tour, Massey University is pulling on its boots for a world knowledge scrum. The University will host a global rugby summit in Palmerston North during the tour.
The international
rugby conference ‘The World In Union (New Zealand)’
follows on from the success of the inaugural ‘World in
Union: Rugby Past, Present and Future’ global summit
hosted by the University of Brighton in 2015.
The
summit will kick off with a welcome ceremony at the New
Zealand Rugby Museum on June 28, followed by two days of
presentations and discussions at the Sport and Rugby
Institute in Palmerston North on June 29 and 30.
The
event will tackle the big issues facing rugby union, in
addition to passing on knowledge and advice to those
involved with the sport. Presentations on nationalism,
culture, social issues, history, sport development, strength
and conditioning, injury and prevention, coaching,
performance enhancement, sponsorship, volunteer management
and event management have already been confirmed. An
international array of academics, practitioners and
educators will attend from Australia, the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe and Japan, as well as
from the length and breadth of New Zealand.
Dr Farah
Palmer, senior lecturer in Massey’s School of Management
and the New Zealand Rugby Union’s historic first female
board member, says she is looking forward to sharing what
New Zealand has to offer here at Massey and in the Manawatū
with delegates from Aotearoa and abroad.
“Rugby as a
game, a business, an event, a passion and a cultural product
is a great platform for exploring and discussing big issues
in sport. The inaugural Rugby Conference held in the
Northern Hemisphere kicked things off in bringing together
academics and practitioners to discuss the key issues in
this game,” Dr Palmer says.
“We aim to ‘kick it forward’ with the most up-to-date information and tackle some of the really grunty, challenging and cutting edge issues rugby faces in an increasingly global and competitive environment.”
Stephen Berg, director of the New
Zealand Rugby Museum says it’s a significant gathering.
“We’re excited to be able to host enthusiastic rugby
philosophers, pundits, sages and reasoners in the true
spiritual home of New Zealand rugby. It’s a great
opportunity for us to showcase our treasures and share a few
stories. Understanding how rugby has developed and reached
this point will help lead to better thinking about where
rugby might go to in the future.”
The event
coincides with the New Zealand Lions Series with an extended
opportunity for conference delegates to travel to Wellington
to watch the All Blacks take on the British and Irish Lions
at Westpac Stadium on July 1 – if they are lucky enough to
get tickets!
The conference will also showcase local
services and produce with visitors experiencing and enjoying
friendly Manawatū hospitality during their stay. An added
bonus for participants is the chance to participate in the
Palmerston North Winter Festival, which also has a specific
rugby focus.
Conference director Dr Rachel Batty from
Massey’s School of Sport and Exercise, says it is a
privilege to be part of the team bringing this event to New
Zealand. “There has been a strong show of academic and
industry based interest in and support for the conference
which will undoubtedly contribute to its success. I’m
looking forward to welcoming the diverse range of delegates
and hosting a rugby forum rich in culture and
knowledge.”
Phil Hildred, convention marketing
manager from the Central Economic Development Agency says,
"It will be exciting for the city to host a diverse
international rugby audience who will get to experience all
that Manawatū has to offer, including the Palmerston North
Winter Festival. Hosting the conference is a coup for our
rugby-loving region and has come about because of our
expertise in sports development and education, alongside the
unique offering of the New Zealand Rugby Museum."
A variety of conference packages are available via the conference website and registrations are still open for academics, practitioners, or general public keen on being part of the rugby dialogue.