Our Black Ferns winning the Rugby World Cup was, for me, the greatest final I have ever watched. Being able to defeat a tremendous England team, who had gone undefeated for 30 games, is indeed what legends are made of.

I marvelled at their joy in playing. Despite being down for most of the game, Black Ferns players that were subbed off had huge smiles on their faces and were waving to the crowd. That was the highlight for me. To play for enjoyment, to play for your teammates, to play for your family, and to play for your country with such joy, was a lesson for everyone. The Black Ferns are a team that went from being rock bottom, after a very difficult and unsuccessful northern hemisphere tour, to holding up the world cup less than a year later.

My pride as a Kiwi was never higher than watching the Black Ferns triumph. Thank you, Wāhine Toa, for taking us all on a fantastic journey in your waka! You are truly incredible.

Watching the Black Ferns over the last 12 months, following their journey in self-reflection, and seeing them face some very tough questions in a very public forum must have caused them, as players, a lot of hurt and sadness. It must have been incredibly difficult for them.

For me, as an outsider, it wasn’t the changes to coaching staff and management that made the win possible. The Xs and Os, the team plays, and the strategy were only a small part of the win. I think it was more about the reaffirming and embracing of who they were and what they, as Black Ferns, stood for. Sisterhood, whānau, team culture, togetherness, how and why they did things, whatever we want to call it, went beyond rugby. The Black Ferns are the benchmark for all teams.

It's not what you achieve, it’s what you overcome, that ultimately defines success.

My Mum was my first coach
My Mum was my first coach. Over the summer on a Saturday morning or after school, she would bowl to me in the backyard to get me ready for my cricket game. In the winter, she would walk with me to Kings High School and would rebound for me as I put up, literally thousands of shots. She never complained and she never said no. She always said, "Let's go, honey."

My very last game for the Tall Blacks was in Auckland, the final to qualify for the Sydney Olympics.

I was announcing my retirement after the game and my Mum flew up from Dunedin to watch. I borrowed the team van and picked her up from the airport. As we were driving back to the hotel she said, "Son, are there basketballs in the van?” I said, "Yes Mum, why?" She said, “Let’s have one final shoot-around. I'll rebound for you, just as we used to do when you were a boy. One last time."

We went to the outdoor hoops at Mangere High School and like we did 23 years ago, I shot some baskets and my Mum rebounded for me. It must have looked funny. I was 36 and my Mum was 70. I was 6'6 and my Mum was only 5'1. However, the difference was that my Mum wasn’t telling me to ‘follow through, ‘put more height on my shot’, or ‘use the backboard.’ We were just laughing and enjoying being together. I had never before rebounded for her but we decided to swap places. My Mum was shooting and I was rebounding. As we headed back to the van, arm in arm, she said, "When you are bringing up your kids, son, it’s just like shooting and rebounding. You let them go for their goal and if they miss it or make it, you pass it back to them and tell them to go again. That way you can celebrate the ‘makes’ and help with the ‘misses’. It is always good to be the rebounder."

I gave her a big hug and told her how much I appreciated her and the countless hours she spent making me a better basketball player. She said, "I never turned up for the basketball game. I went for you. My favourite bit was walking to the courts and walking home, spending time talking to you and finding out how you were. That’s why I went."

My Mum passed away nine years ago. I would give anything to have one more trip to the courts with her. We would go to the courts at the back of our grounds at Wellington College with a basketball in hand. Not for the shoot-around but for one more walk to and from the courts. I would show her our college and my boys. I think she would love both.

Thank you to all our Mums; we love you and appreciate you and all you do for us. Even if we don’t tell you as much as we should. I promise you, you are etched on our hearts forever.

Receive the light and pass it on

Glen Denham
Headmaster