“Those of us who are a little bit long in the tooth will remember the days when sheep dog trials were carried on television on A Dog’s Show and Country Calendar," he said.
“Everyone loves it.
“I’d say the biggest crowd that watches any of our sports events watches the sheep dog trials.”
The upcoming event in March will see national titles awarded for speed shearing, timbersports and fencing.
Some of the rural sports under the radar getting their moment in the limelight include tree climbing and the Southern Hemisphere Highlander Championship.
Hollander said rural sports have been the backbone of generations and he was proud to broaden their reach.
The New Zealand Rural Games Trust has been up and running for 13 years as the main organiser of the event.
“This will be our 11th Games with a couple of years off with Covid,” Hollander said.
The New Zealand Rural Games are “one of the biggest investments in rural sports in more than a generation”.
A crowd of 42,500 attended the three-day event last year in The Square in Palmerston North.
Organisers are expecting an even bigger crowd next March with entry free for all the sports.
Also featuring on the television coverage will be the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards night, honouring legends of the rural sporting landscape.
– RNZ
