By Gary AndersonFijian flyer Samisoni Viriviri has been chosen as the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens Player of the Year at a special function following the conclusion of the ninth and final round of this season's Sevens World Series at Twickenham in London.

the try-line no less than 52 times, putting him almost 20 clear of second-placed man Tim Mikkelson of New

nine rounds of this year's Series and was announced prior to the London Sevens last weekend, which saw New

Zealand retain their crown as the number one sevens outfit in the world.Viriviri came into the tournament

Much like they have the World Series, New Zealand has dominated the world Player of the Year awards since

Zealand secure London Sevens titleMarch 2014: Fiji lead charge into Hong Kong Sevens quarter-finalsMarch

By Paul OsborneNew Zealand have sealed the HSBC World Sevens Series title after securing progression

Zealand will have to overcome Pool D winners South Africa.The Blitzboks looked comfortable throughout

Zealand as they topped Pool A to the delight of a record 74,969 crowd in Twickenham ©IRBSamoa, who have

failed to make a Cup quarter-final since round five in New Zealand, won all three of their matches to

Zealand storm to Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens Cup titleMay 2014: Hosts Scotland progress to Cup quarterfinals

after impressive first day at Glasgow SevensMarch 2014: New Zealand seal Hong Kong Sevens titleMarch

By Paul OsborneA sell-out crowd will welcome teams to the final HSBC Sevens World Series leg of the season as fans make their way to Twickenham for the much anticipated Series climax.

New Zealand goes into the tournament with the title all but secure as they lead second place South Africa

May 11).Contact the writer of this story at [email protected] storiesMay 2014: New

Zealand storm to Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens Cup titleMay 2014: Hosts Scotland progress to Cup quarterfinals

after impressive first day at Glasgow SevensMarch 2014: New Zealand seal Hong Kong Sevens titleMarch

By Nick ButlerEngland, France, South Korea, New Zealand and South Africa are the five countries to have

from South Africa, France and South Korea had already been publicly expressed, while the ones from New

Zealand and England were not widely known until today.Following a failed attempt to win the right to

bidding for 2023 Women's World CupSeptember 2013: Brazil interested in hosting women's FIFA World Cup as new

By Gary AndersonNew Zealand golfer Lydia Ko will receive no funding to support her campaign to qualify

New Zealand Golf had applied for NZD $208,000 (£106,000/$179,000/€129,000) of funding from High Performance

Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), which is in charge of handing out Government funding to elite athletes, to

support Ko's efforts to qualify for the Games.However, both Ko and New Zealand Golf have decided she

Lydia is a fantastic ambassador for New Zealand on the world stage," said chief executive of New Zealand

She loves New Zealand and loves to represent us around the world."

By Nick ButlerNew Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) officials have appealed for Government and private

Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Stanley admitted a revenue increase of 34 per cent is required to properly

, and also has "work to do" with the commercial sector.Mahé Drysdale won one of six gold medals for New

Zealand at London 2012 in the flagship single sculls rowing ©Getty ImagesNew Zealand will be hoping

he has served since 2008.He will continue to work alongside the other Board members, consisting of New

Zealand Chef de MissionMay 2013: Stanley re-elected President of New Zealand Olympic Committee

By Gary AndersonRutland Sailing Club in England has been announced as the host venue for the 2015 International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Team Racing World Championships.

Miami in 1998 with the United States taking the win while the following year in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland, New

Zealand were crowned champions.The Kiwis made it two-in-a-row when Lake Brno, Czech Republic was the

in 2001 with the event returning to the United States in 2005 and seeing another home win.Auckland, New

Zealand was the setting in 2007 as the Americans won their third title which was followed by a fourth

By Gary AndersonThe Kyocera Stadium in The Hague, which will be the main venue for this year's Hockey World Cup, has been officially handed over to tournament organisers following the conclusion of the Dutch football season.

champions Germany, Pan American champions Argentina, Asian champions South Korea, England, Belgium, New

Zealand, Spain, Malaysia and India.The Dutch women took the World Cup crown four years ago in Rosario

American champions Argentina, Asian champions Japan, Oceania champions Australia, England, South Korea, New

Zealand, China, the United States and Belgium.Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

By Gary AndersonThe Copper Box Arena at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has been announced as the host venue for next year's inaugural World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge.

The new competition is part of a drive to secure a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games and it is

aimed at maximising interest and exposure.Mayor of London Boris Johnson announced the launch of the new

United States will take part in the competition, along with Canada, South Africa, Japan, France, and New

Zealand."

By Gary AndersonThe Australian Commonwealth Games Association (ACGA) has named its squad for the netball competition at Glasgow 2014 as they go in search of their first Commonwealth Games gold medal in 12 years.

Australia claimed the inaugural netball gold when they defeated New Zealand in the final at Kuala Lumpur

Kimberlee Green, Renae Hallinan and Natalie Medhurst were all part of the team that went down to the New

Zealanders last time out in New Delhi and they will be making to the trip to Glasgow this summer and

Defending champions New Zealand have been drawn in Group A where they will face Jamaica, Malawi, Northern

confirmed as netball finals venue for Glasgow 2014October 2013: Netball at Glasgow 2014 could be moved to new

and betting policy in order to be eligible for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, according to New

Zealand Olympic Committee Board member and chairman of the organisation's Integrity Working Group Liz

The implementation of an appropriate anti-corruption policy will be presented to the New Zealand Olympic

Committee Board as another way we can support the fight against corruption in New Zealand."

We continue to work alongside Sport New Zealand and other agencies on matters of sports integrity."

Dawson said the New Zealand Olympic Committee was also implementing formal police background checks ahead

Zealand Olympic Committee recognised the threat to sport and athletes as corruption-related issues become

By Nick Butler at Twickenham Stadium in LondonInternational Rugby Board (IRB) chief executive Brett Gosper has admitted they feel particularly nervous about Rio 2016 because it is their first Olympics and claimed more experienced federations share his concerns. 

claimed preparations are"the worst he had experienced" in his long association with the Games, while New

Zealand Chef de Mission Rob Waddell specifically cited the Deodoro Complex when insisting "there is

insidethegames.bizRelated storiesMay 2015: There is no hiding from problems facing Rio 2016," warns New

Zealand Chef de MissionApril 2014: "Things are moving in the right direction" for Rio 2016 claim IOC

By Nick Butler at Twickenham Stadium in LondonA Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, bearing many similarities with the Olympic Torch Relay, will visit 15 countries across six continents ahead of England 2015, it has been revealed today at an event celebrating 500 days to go until the tournament begins.

celebrate rugby around the world in the lead up to 2015, engaging and exciting rugby fans and potential new

Zealand ©Getty ImagesBrett Gosper, the International Rugby Board chief executive, speaking alongside

He added more travel packages have already been sold than for New Zealand 2011, and new broadcasting

World Cup ever".With four qualifying position still up for grabs, Gosper also hailed the prospect of new

Zealand set to be favourites to repeat their 2011 triumph.Contact the writer of this story at nick.butler

By Nick ButlerNew Zealand's Chef de Mission Rob Waddell has warned "there is no hiding" from the problems facing Rio de Janeiro with little more than two years ahead of the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics. 

Waddell, 39, a gold medal winner in the single sculls rowing at Sydney 2000 before featuring in the Team New

"You go to Olympic Park and there's not what is supposed to be there," he told Fairfax Media New Zealand

Since November 2012 sports administrators from New Zealand have made a total of 15 site visits to Rio

Zealand."

Zealand Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2014 and Rio 2016

By Gary AndersonNew Zealand has named a nine-strong squad for this year's Pan-Pacific Para-Swimming Championships

Canada with five world crowns to add to her London 2012 SM11 200 metres individual medley gold.Howarth, New

The size of this team really shows the work that been going on behind the scenes with the New Zealand

Zealand ChampionshipsAugust 2013: Pascoe and Fisher set to lead New Zealand medal charge at IPC World

Swimming ChampionshipsAugust 2013: Pascoe heads seven-strong New Zealand team for IPC World Swimming

ChampionshipsMarch 2013: New Zealand Paralympic stars Pascoe and Fisher smash world records at national