The move has drawn criticism from sporting legends
New Zealand’s national football team is considering changing their name to help promote diversity in the sport.
The ‘All Whites’ nickname has been prevalent since 1982, however, the NZF is now requesting feedback after concerns that the name has racist undertones.
In a memo released to the media, NZF chief executive Andrew Pragnell explained the decision: “As with many other national bodies, New Zealand Football is on a journey around cultural inclusivity and respecting the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. As part of our Delivery and Sustainability Project announced last year, we are in the process of working with stakeholders across the game, as well as people from outside football, looking at all areas of the organisation to make sure they are fit for purpose in 2021 and beyond.”
The move has split fans and players, with strong arguments on both sides. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, NZ striker Vaughan Coveny slammed the move.
“I am a bit of a traditionalist, I played there for many years and I am surprised they want to do that,” he said. “It sort of baffles me why they want to go down the track. Will they also then change the All Blacks? What's the need to change it? It's been like that for many years. It's about the history, the sport and how far it goes back. The All Whites have always been the New Zealand soccer team, ever since I was a kid. From the day you're born you're brought up with it, you go through your years playing soccer and looking up to that.”
Similarly, Māori football player Wynton Rufer argued that the name had no racial connotations. Speaking to Stuff, Rufer added: “I’m Ngāti Porou and watching the All Blacks and the way they dance and skip around on the field because they’ve got brilliant footwork, that’s how I tried to play football with magic and flair and that comes from my upbringing as a Māori from my mum’s side. There was never any racism there and around the name. It’s synonymous with the name the All Blacks.”
