Just wantied to say thanks to everyone who has taken part/been interested in my research over the past month.
Have also got enough info to start sharing some bits and pieces.
So, here goes:
1.) Long-distance fans do show signs (actually way more then just signs) of loyalty to their chosen team. This is contrary to literature within football studies (yup, it does exist) which claims that those following a team from a distance cannot be loyal fans because they are not in the same geographic location as their team.
2.) Everyone has an EPL team. Everyone.... Is it because we are an English-speaking nation? Is it because that's basically all that's on tv? Or is it something much deeper then that?
3.) Outside of the main centres like Auckland and Wellington, interest in local teams seems minimal. Does New Zealand lack the kind of media coverage needed to encourage support? Or do we lack the sort of culture that exists in other countries which encourages us to support our local team? I mean, I don't even know which local side I should be supporting.
Does anyone have any thoughts? Criticisms? Please do share.
1. Well, you did ask for volunteer fans to partake. Perhaps there is a high correlation of people considering themselves 'fans' (as opposed to just being a supporter) if they own a shirt or scarf.
2. Are you sure that everyone has an EPL team or an English team that they support. For instance, I support Norwich who was in the Championship last year and will be EPL this year. If you have interviewed News then his team hasn't been in EPL since 01/02. I think there might be a few things contributing to the skewing to the EPL (and I think you are on the right track with TV and English speaking). If you were to do the same study on Basketball or Baseball then I guess you would also get everyone in NZ supporting an American team (rather than a Japanese baseball team or European basketball team). Common language and TV. I would love to know the correlation of football supporters via past living arrangements or family ties as well. Here's my rough hypotheses:
i) NZ'ers are (I'm guessing) above average travelers and the UK has historically been a destination (visas, work, language) and this is likely to create an attachment to strong cultural elements in the UK, football being a major one of these.
ii) Again guessing, but NZ has had a large immigrant population from the UK for the last 2-3 generations. Familial links back to the UK probably add to people's connection with UK football.
I would have guessed that Italian football might have been popular. There are clear familial links and it wasn't too long ago we had exposure to Italian football on ESPN. Dutch and Scottish fitba as well.
3. You could write a thesis on this alone. There are still a few footballing strongholds in the heartland - Napier immediately springs to mind. Perhaps Nelson, Gisborne, Christchurch, Hamilton also apply. I think the main threat to football in NZ is not Rugby, Netball or other domestic codes so much as the overseas football leagues like the EPL. You can walk a long most high streets and see a Chelsea or Man United shirt but you are unlikely to see a Phoenix, Auckland City or Team Wellington strip. You should read some of the stuff in the ASB Review and Future thread as to what people think is wrong with NZ local football. I've got lot's of thoughts as to why things are like they are and a few thoughts on approaches but most of it's been covered off by others in other threads. As far as your local team (I think you are in Hamilton, right?), you need to go and talk to Bruce Holloway [ cordwainerbull at gmail dot com]. He'll also give you a good historical perspective of football in NZ.
is [email protected]. Flick me an email and I will forward you all the necessary info sheets.
