Katikati is on the ball for RWC 2011
06 May 2010
Katikati - a small New Zealand coastal town with a proud rugby history - has launched itself as a 2011 Rugby World Cup destination by erecting a bigger-than-life rugby ball as a tourist attraction.
The giant fibreglass ball - which is also designed to be a public noticeboard - appears on the town’s ‘front lawn’ at Diggelmann Park. It is owned by local rugby enthusiast Rollo Dunlop.
Built for the 1987 Rugby World Cup by a rugby shop in nearby Rotorua, the ball once enjoyed the title of biggest rugby ball in the world, but lost its claim to fame when Tourism New Zealand built a pavilion in the form of a giant inflatable rugby ball for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in Paris.
Katikati on the map
Katikati - otherwise known for its many distinctive outdoor murals - claims to be the first small New Zealand town to promote itself for the upcoming 2011 Rugby World Cup and expects the giant rugby ball will put the town on the map for rugby visitors.
"Paeroa has its L&P bottle, Taupo has its trout and now we have one of the world’s largest rugby balls," says local Rugby & Sports Club president Lester Gray.
The ball is mounted with a map on the rear, and a community notice board at ground level.
Gray said the idea came about when the Katikati Rugby Club was looking at ways of advertising its upcoming 130th celebration reunion in July 2010.
Proud rugby history
Katikati has a long association with rugby. The first rugby competitions in the Bay of Plenty were held in Ōpōtiki, Katikati and Tauranga in the 1880s.
The New Zealand Natives, the first New Zealand representative rugby team to tour Great Britain and Australia in 1888-89, included five Warbrick brothers from nearby Matatā.
David Gallagher, captain of the renowned 1905/06 New Zealand team - the 'Invincibles', grew up in Katikati.
Mark Weedon - another Katikati native - has had an extensive national and international career playing for the All Blacks, the Crusaders, Wasps, and in Super 10 and Super 12 competition. He is currently captain of the Bay of Plenty Steamers.
Photo opportunities
The rugby ball would provide Katikati with a centre-point, and heading into the 2011 RWC was a "massive opportunity" for the town, the region and New Zealand, Lester Gray said.
"Katikati has many walkways and beaches at its doorstep. It has accommodation of backpackers, camping grounds and camper parks, hotels and motels. The town has many eateries and other attractions and who wouldn’t want a photo next to the second biggest rugby ball in the world," he said.
Background: Katikati - New Zealand’s mural town
Katikati is best known for the many murals that adorn the town’s main buildings.
The 44 murals, all created since 1991, depict Katikati’s history, people and events. Other examples of open air art including sculptures are on display in the small town.
Katikati is in the western Bay of Plenty, a region renowned for its warm climate and outdoor activities. The town is just 20 minutes north of Tauranga, about an hour from Rotorua and Hamilton, and two hours south of Auckland.
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