Research Question Resident support is critical for the successful hosting of major sport events and is closely linked to event impact perceptions. This study investigated determinants of support for a major sport event. The key independent variables were perceived event-related personal impacts and perceived event-related community impacts. Research Method Residents (n = 603) of two potential Commonwealth Games host cities in New Zealand were asked about their support for the event. Event impact perceptions (costs and benefits) across personal and community dimensions were measured. The triple bottom line approach complements social exchange theory and social representations theory to underpin this study. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between impacts and event support. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between the levels of the event impacts (i.e. personal and community) and event support. Paired sample t-tests were used to explore difference between personal and community quality of life perceptions based on each of the event impacts. Results and Findings Overall, residents were supportive of bidding for the Commonwealth Games and various event impact perceptions are related. Based on Social Representations Theory, residents likely view the positive benefits of hosting a major event of this type as outweighing the negative. Several significant impacts emerged - both positive and negative. Positive impacts (pride) were perceived to have the greatest effect on event support, whereas each of the negative impact perceptions (opportunity cost, justice) were linked to decreased event support.

Across an array of contexts, a ‘female-friendly environment’ is increasingly thought to positively impact participation levels for women and girls. The aim of this study is to provide insights on the female-friendliness of New Zealand’s tennis clubs. Both numeric and text data were collected as part of the 2021 National Sport Club Survey. Tennis club representatives agreed more strongly that their club has suitable changing facilities for women/girls and that playing/training times are equally allocated than club representatives across the full sample across every sport. Within a typology of female-friendly clubs, most fit into the disengaged category in which the prevailing view is unfortunately that female-friendliness isn’t an issue and that existing inclusion efforts are good enough. It is suggested that tennis organisations at regional and national level provide information and strategies to clubs that have an aspiration to become more female-friendly.

In recent years, referenda have been used to inform decisions to bid on major sport events. Recognising referenda as a means to engage a community in a major sport event, the purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of referenda support and participation intention. A sample of 603 New Zealanders completed a questionnaire a) the intention to participate in such a referendum. Based on exploratory factor analysis assessing b) their support for a referendum on their city bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, and multinomial logistic regression, the key findings are that political cynicism, civic duty, event status and involvement affected voters' referendum support, while political cynicism, civic duty, political interest, event status and involvement impacted their voting intentions. The results have implications for prospective host cities, sport managers, policymakers, and ordinary citizens.

In Western democratic societies, decisions to allocate public funding towards a sports stadium or event are generally made via representative democracy by elected policymakers. Increasingly, referendums are occurring to facilitate direct democracy. In this study, we examine insider perspectives of a potential Commonwealth Games bid referendum in New Zealand. The two research questions are: (1) To what extent do insiders support the initiation of a referendum to host a major sport event? and (2) What is the underlying rationale for that support or lack thereof? Interviews with 17 major event insiders (i.e., those with experience and/or decision-making authority) indicated unanimous opposition to the referendum. Several themes emerged related to their lack of support, including civic paternalism, challenges of providing voters with sufficient information to make informed votes and negative perceptions of past referendums. The results suggest the rationale for avoiding referendums extends beyond the expected apprehensiveness that voters will reject a proposal to host a major sporting event.

This case study involving the New Zealand Breakers basketball team explores key factors relating to the home venues of sport teams. The case study is suitable for use in a variety of undergraduate courses such as sport management, sport marketing, and facility management. The New Zealand Breakers have two multi-purpose facilities within Auckland where home basketball games can viably be staged. Growing ticket demand and the opportunities associated with the larger and more modern of the two facility options have necessitated strategic thinking and decision making from Breakers’ management. They have not yet made a permanent move, but have chosen instead to move to the new facility gradually. There are several aspects of the ongoing transition period that require careful management to ensure the long-term success of the franchise. The Breakers’ management of the ongoing decision and transition are well-grounded in management, marketing, and facility management literature. As students consider the case, they will have the opportunity to think critically and consider theory in the context of a real professional sport franchise. A variety of questions and references are provided in the teaching note that can be used in conjunction with the implementation of the case study.