The mention of sport mega-events conjures up images and memories of London 2012 or anticipation of FIFA 2014, the 2016 Rio Olympics and beyond. Indeed, the expanding annual calendar of sport mega-events, both in terms of the bidding process and the actual hosting of the event means that there is rarely time for considered reflection. This is particularly true within the context of neo-liberalism and an obsession with creating world class ?sporting? cities that are propelled by state-private promotional discourses that often silence oppositional voices.This edited collection focuses on Rugby World Cup 2011 in order to examine the contested terrain of one particular sport mega-event with respect to its economic, political and cultural impact both locally and globally. As an event, the 2011 Rugby World Cup was unique in many ways but perhaps the most notable are the nation?s remote geographic location and at just over four million people ? its small population. This anthology addresses how the Rugby World Cup has changed since its inception in 1987 including a major shift in the globalisation of the game, professionalization, player migration and television and sponsorship rights. The core of the anthology explores how the event impacted on various segments of New Zealand society: from the state to regions and individual citizens. Collectively the implications are relevant for all who are interested in sport mega-events whether it is from a political, economic, scholarly or policy perspective.This book was published a sa special issue of Sport and Society.

'As comprehensive and entaintaining a book on the World Cup as has ever been written.' Peter Fitzsimons THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST RUGBY CONTEST FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT RUGBY WRITERS Since the Rugby World Cup tournament began in 1987, its powerful players, speed-charged runs, soaring kicks, brutal scrums and controversial refereeing decisions have gripped billions of people around the world. In 2011, the tournament returns to its birthplace, New Zealand, where teams from 20 qualifying nations will battle to win rugby's most coveted prize. FOR PLAYERS AND COACHES, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TEST. Will Robbie Deans bring the Wallabies to glory? Can Graham Henry's All Blacks break their 20-year jinx? Will reigning champions South Africa overcome a season of disasters, or England recapture the brilliance of its 2003 victory? Can France, Argentina, Wales, Scotland or Ireland win for the first time? Will a newly emerging team such as Argentina shock the world? Read this book for the unvarnished truth about key players, national strategies, desperate measures – and the battles and controversies that have fired up past tournaments. FOLLOW THE ACTION MATCH-BY-MATCH IN RUGBY'S BIGGEST EVER SPORTING EVENT. Find out more about rugby and the author at The Roar

"The Official IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 Guide provides excellent background information about the host nation, New Zealand, key details of the venues along with tourist highlights. It includes a must-have tournament fill-in chart, to keep fans in-tune and involved with the matches."--Publisher's description.

South Africa came late to television; when it finally arrived in the late 1970s the rest of the world had already begun to boycott the country because of apartheid. While the ruling National Party feared the integrative effects of television, they did not foresee how exclusion from globally unifying broadcasts would gradually erode their power. South Africa was barred from participating in some of television's greatest global attractions (including sporting events such as the Olympics and contests such as Miss World). With the release of Nelson Mandela from prison came a proliferation of large-scale live broadcasts as the country was permitted to return to international competition, and its re-admittance was played out on television screens across the world. These events were pivotal in shaping and consolidating the country's emerging post-apartheid national identity. Broadcasting the End of Apartheid assesses the socio-political effects of live broadcasting on South Africa's transition to democracy. Martha Evans argues that just as print media had a powerful influence on the development of Afrikaner nationalism, so the 'liveness' of television helped to consolidate the post-apartheid South African national identity.

This book examines the political debates over the access to live telecasts of sport in the digital broadcasting era. It outlines the broad theoretical debates, political positions and policy calculations over the provision of live, free-to-air telecasts of sport as a right of cultural citizenship. In so doing, the book provides a number of comparative case studies that explore these debates and issues in various global spaces.

This text is a complete introduction to the principles and practical skills that underpin the running and hosting of major sports events, from initial bid to post-event legacy. The book draws closely on the authors' personal practical experiences of day-to-day management during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The must-have companion to the greatest event in world rugby, the Rugby World Cup France 2023. Containing everything rugby fans will need to enjoy the World Cup, this official guide is packed with images, profiles, previews and charts, making it essential reading for any fan and the perfect companion to all of the tournament action. Contents include: • Team-by-team profiles • Star player profiles • A guide to every venue • Fill-in tournament progress chart • History of the Rugby World Cup • Rugby World Cup records • Qualification round-up And much, much more besides.