Sports Bodies

In the past year a number of New Zealand sporting bodies have sent teams to compete in South Africa. These include squash, surf lifesaving, womens hockey, trampoline and a club rugby team. In the coming three years a large number of New Zealand sporting bodies will seriously consider competing against South Africa. These include womens hockey, squash, rugby, Softball (mens and womens), golf, bowls, netball, tennis and others. By going to South Africa, these teams are helping to undo much of the good work achieved by the abandonment of the Springboks rugby tour.

By competing against South Africa these sports bodies are defying both international opinion and their own Government. They are behaving in an arrogant and a selfish manner. They are taking decisions which will reflect badly upon their own nation, and which will give aid and support to those attempting to ensure the continuation of white domination and control in South Africa.

Before deciding against racist South African teams. New Zealand sporting bodies should look carefully at the behaviour of their Australian counterparts. Faced with similar situations, in the past few weeks two Australian sporting bodies (tennis and squash) have decided against touring South Africa because of the opposition of the Australian Government.