Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

While the Western Bay doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the big ticket stadiums and arenas that are dotted around the country, the region still manages to attract some smaller events on the international stage.

Last week there were two international events/tournaments that paid a visit to the Western Bay of Plenty.

While the world women's croquet golf championships flew pretty much under the media radar, the event did attract visitors from countries that we don't see often in the Western Bay.

Sideline Sid caught a little of the action on the last day's play.

In the morning playoffs on Saturday, there was a real intensity as participants fought for their final tournament positions.

At the end of the week-long event, a young English woman prevailed in the final getting past a Kiwi, in what was termed as a five set thriller.

Currently the 12 yachts in the Clipper Round the World Race are catching their breath in Tauranga before continuing their journey around the globe.

Raced every two years, the Clipper event is unique that while ocean racing skippers are at the helm of the big boats, the crew are all amateurs who pay for the privilege.

Both the croquet and yacht race are a good fit for the Western Bay.

With little fanfare and back slapping, both groups of participants get to bring their title aspirations to the Western Bay, while getting to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and genuine Kiwi hospitality in our little bit of heaven.

The golden sands of Mount Maunganui are home to surf life saving events that also attract international attention.

The SLSNZ Surf League in February of each year now attracts some of the best Australian surf sport competitors, who receive invitations to balance the quality of the regional teams.

Two decades ago, Cory Hutchings led the way for what is now a large contingent of Kiwi surf sport athletes, who hone their skills over the ditch twelve months of the year.

Surf sport ranks alongside cricket as the big summer sports in the ‘lucky country'.

The equivalent surf league events in Australia attract thousands of spectators as the high profile events move around the Australia surf beaches.

While the Kiwi surf swimmers, board and ski paddlers and beach sprint specialists, were the poor relations when it came to head-to-head competitions with the Aussies, that has changed.

The ability to compete on equal terms with our cousins across the Tasman started about 10 years ago when the local Mount Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa surf clubs got serious about surf sport, and appointed specialist (remunerated) surf coaches.

From there a number of the locals with international aspirations have relocated to join Australian surf clubs predominately in Queensland, where they can train 12 months of the year.

The second initiative by the local surf clubs that will ensure we can compete with the best surf sport athletes in the world is the large and well-organised junior (nipper) surf programmes at each of the local surf clubs.

The hundreds of youngsters who flock to the beach for training, can rub shoulders with their local heroes, who come home for the summer national competitions.

From the large local nipper base will come a number who will make the journey to full time surf athlete in the future.

Seeya at a the Game.