Mon, Dec 9, 2019
Born in 1947, Barbara Cox grew up learning that a woman's role was to cook and clean and take care of her husband. So when her husband signed her up to a local football team in 1973, Cox's life changed. With help from a few male administrators, and not much help from anyone else, Cox and her team mates worked to a top five world ranking, beating the US on the way. Cox represented New Zealand for over a decade, and went on to become the first woman to receive the top New Zealand football coaching certificate. New Zealand has come a long way in its treatment of female athletes, but only thanks to those who refused to put up with double standards long ago. Barbara Cox is one of them and her work isn't done.
Sun, Jul 26, 2020
In 1996, Joeli Vidiri was set to be the star of New Zealand rugby alongside his good friend Jonah Lomu. But deteriorating kidneys led to his early retirement from the sport, aged just 27. Today, Joeli works at a hardware store in Auckland and is grateful everyday for the kidney transplant he received in 2015.
Sun, Feb 2, 2020
Part II of Ruia Morrison's journey to recognition in Aotearoa. In 1957, the tennis legend was the first New Zealand woman and first Maori to compete at Wimbledon, advancing to the quarter finals. Six decades later, Morrison was honoured with a korowai (cloak) in her name at the Auckland 2020 ASB Classic, and Serena Williams wore it as tournament champion.