While the inclusion during the tournament has been lauded, First Nations groups have questioned Australia's Legacy 23 plan that seeks to grow women's soccer in Australia beyond the World Cup. And how amazing that these two beautiful cultures are being shown, literally, to the entire globe.” "People think that is so special, and it is, and it's so unique.
“I can't even remember the number of conversations that I've had until today with people who have come from overseas, who have commented about how special it is to have a `Welcome to Country' in First Nations and in Maori when the teams are coming onto the field," Bareman said. It is common to refer to the country as Aotearoa, which means “land of the long white cloud.” The greeting Kia Ora is a common greeting at restaurants and shops.įIFA's head of women's soccer, Sarai Bareman, is of Dutch and Samoan descent and was raised in New Zealand. In New Zealand there has been an increasing effort overall to honor the culture. “Their words came from the heart and there was an acknowledgement that they understood that the haka is very precious, not only to Maori but to all of Aotearoa,” Iwi representative Professor Meihana Durie said. Captain Ivana Andres later apologized to elders and members of the Rangitane O Manawatu iwi (tribe) at a ceremony in the North Island city of Palmerston North, where the team was based during the group stage. Spain's team caused a stir before the tournament when they mocked the haka in a video posted to social media. I'm really good friends with (Ferns defender) Ali Riley, she has so much pride in the fact that this tournament is being played in New Zealand.” "I know how special it is for the New Zealand players, for the Australian players, for the people of New Zealand and Australia. “I don't think we've ever had a cultural welcome like that in any of the places we've had a World Cup before," American defender Kelley O'Hara said. The United States was among eight teams that participated in Auckland. In New Zealand a traditional karanga call was performed ahead of each match, while in Australia the pre-game ceremonies included a welcome to country by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander elders.įIFA executives had cultural awareness training in the run-up to the World Cup and the players attended traditional ceremonies when they arrived. Soccer organizers in Australia and New Zealand successfully pushed to have Indigenous flags flying at stadiums.
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