Arise Sir Graham Henry? For services to paid employment?
After 24 years, we finally managed to win the Rugby World Cup again, thereby ending years of underachievement as consistently the number 1 team in the world throughout the history of rugby, yet only managing to win the world cup on one previous occasion.
The mastermind behind taking our number 1 team in the world to... number 1 in the world? Graham Henry, now Sir Graham Henry.
Really?
So a man who is paid to coach the All Blacks to success, achieves what should be regarded as "par", and in the hysteria of Rugby World Cup glory he is awarded a knighthood?
No disrespect to the man himself, but I thought knighthoods were to recognise outstanding service to the community rather than just serving in paid employment.
If Henry had for years of his life dedicated himself to improving rugby at the grass roots, establishing meaningful programmes that enriched the lives of young rugby players in communities, and used his celebrity status to do further good in our society then I would fully back the honour. But after reading a full article about Henry's knighthood that focussed entirely on his lifelong dream to coach the All Blacks and the trials and tribulations of his AB coaching career, his achievements seem to pale in comparison to the pages of biographies I read detailing the community service that others recognised in the New Year Honours list have performed over many years of their lives.
Those that know me will know that I am a passionate supporter of football/soccer. Don't take this blog post as an anti-rugby post though. Had the All Whites advanced even further in South Africa in 2010 beyond any reasonable expectation, and coach Ricki Herbert had been knighted on this alone, I would be equally perplexed by the decision.
I'm not against sportspeople receiving knighthoods. Dame Susan Devoy is the most recent sporting Knight/Dame I can recall, and her contributions to society as well as her sporting achievements seem at face value worthy of this recognition. I just don't know how Graham Henry (or Richie McCaw who was offered the same Honour but declined) have contributed to New Zealand above and beyond doing their paid jobs. Perhaps you can enlighten in the comments if you know better.
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Comment by ArcticSilver, on 1-Jan-2012 19:31 , user id: 36310)
I actuly agree here. I believe knighthood should be saved for those really selfless people around that make a big difference.
I was quite surprised and disapointed to see Graham Henry getting it.
Comment by Mark, on 2-Jan-2012 01:35 , user id: )
knighthoods were well past their use-by date when done away with all those years ago. Can't believe the National Govt brought them back.
Comment by tdgeek, on 2-Jan-2012 12:31 , user id: 33160)
I agree, this devalues the importance of a knighthood.
Richie offered one? Why??? He is A world class rugby player, as many are. If he gets one, please line up the other 20 to 30 who were also stars in their day.
It is services to the sport, not having won a World Cup, which is actually the case here. Laughable when the AB's were hot favourites, at home, and had what was the best group involved at the time.
Comment by Graeme, on 2-Jan-2012 13:37 , user id: )
So you say "What else has he done apart from his job? I would also criticise business people, politicians and the like who are awarded honours simply for doing their paid jobs. I thought such honours were for civic duty above and beyond one's normal employment?" why then only mention Henry in your post?
You might be interested to read - "Our honours system is a way for New Zealand to say thanks and well done to those who have served and those who have achieved. We believe that such recognition is consistent with the egalitarian character of New Zealand society and enlivens and enriches it."
(Report of the Prime Minister's Honours Advisory Committee, September 1995)
So ahmad I guess it would be safe to say you won't be accepting any honour you maybe nominated for - remembering that recipients are nominated and are given the opportunity to accept or decline.
Comment by bmt, on 2-Jan-2012 19:09 , user id: 57355)
He received a knighthood "For services to rugby." He has been a coach at the top level of rugby for 19 years - 5 years with the Auckland NPC team, 2 years with the Blues, 4 years with Wales, head coach of a British and Irish Lions touring side and 8 years with the All Blacks. Before all that, 18 years with Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys' High.
He has coached the most All Black tests ever, and has one of the highest winning percentages (barring those who got 100% with their 2-3 tests in charge). 3 Grand Slams, a World Cup, 5 time IRB Coach of the Year.
In comparison, Sir Clive Woodward played 23 tests and had coached for a total of 14 years when he was knighted. His win rate was only 71%.
Why wouldn't Graham Henry get knighted?
Comment by mike, on 3-Jan-2012 17:41 , user id: )
@ bmt. YOur comment just proves that Woodwards appointment was even worse, not that Henry deserves one..
Its a nepotistic joke, one that devalues true community spirit & typifies the sort of selfishness people now wish to emulate.
OP is right. Henry merely did his job & got rewarded with a knighthood.
Comment by networkn, on 5-Jan-2012 13:02 , user id: 33128)
I have no issue with his knighthood. His job would be the hardest in the country the last eight years, I think even John Key wouldn't want to lead the AB's. He has put up with a fair amount and come through on one of our countries biggest sporting acheievments. At least it's age appropriate.
Comment by Kevin Daly, on 10-Jan-2012 09:20 , user id: )
I don't have any problem at all with Henry getting a knighthood for doing his job well, given how many people have got them over the years for things like "services to business" = "services to making themselves rich".
Comment by Athlonite, on 10-Jan-2012 15:01 , user id: 25026)
Ah but here's the real question had Graham Henry and the AB's not won the world cup would he still have gotten a Knight hood........................
short answer most likely not
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Comment by Graeme, on 1-Jan-2012 11:55 , user id: )
How is his being awarded a knighthood different to business people, politicians and the like who also receive honours - they're paid as well. It's not about whether someone is or isn't paid - it's about their contribution to society, to the country and the people.