Book description
The hero of 2011 was Martin Snedden. Not even a terrible earthquake
prevented him from staging a magnificent World Cup. The hospitality and
warmth of the New Zealand welcome at the World Cup is a memory I will
always cherish.' - Paul Ackford, Sunday Telegraph, London. The story of
New Zealand's greatest sporting event - and, ultimately - one of its
greatest triumphs. Fascinating insights into some of the political
machinations, this is not a sports book per say, although A STADIUM OF
FOUR MILLION will still appeal to sports fans on many levels. Rather,
this book is a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the managing of a
large international event. As such it will appeal to business people and
others in many fields, as a story of how a vision can be brought to
stunning reality. On the night of 23 October 2011, anxious fans endured
the heart-stopping last minutes of the Rugby World Cup final as the All
Blacks ground out a win by the narrowest of margins to again lift the
Webb Ellis Cup. Watching in the stands was Martin Snedden, who had been
charged with organising and delivering the Rugby World Cup in New
Zealand. In A STADIUM OF FOUR MILLION, Snedden provides an erudite and
brilliantly insightful analysis of the event, the largest to date in New
Zealand, with a detailed background of its successful staging. He takes
us on the journey from the drama and excitement of 'selling our story'
bidding for the tournament, through the organisation process to getting
everyone working together to deliver it, with all the successes and
speed bumps on the way. National and provincial rugby unions, tourism,
accommodation and transport providers, two successive governments and,
ultimately, all New Zealanders rallied to the cause. The 'stadium of
four million' delivered - and delivered something special.
"Riveting" Martin Snedden is a former New Zealand test and
one-day cricketer. He is also a qualified lawyer and former CEO of New
Zealand Cricket. This is his first book.
