Sport as a Medium for Multidimensional Social Inclusion: The Role of Rugby in the (Re-)construction of the Identity of New Zealanders of Croatian Origin

Abstract

There are two general approaches to the role of sport in the development of minority ethnic communities. One focuses on the process of assimilation, while the other focuses on maintaining ethnic identity. This paper uses the example of Croats in New Zealand and their descendants to analyse the role of rugby in terms of both approaches. According to the main thesis, rugby played an important role in the process of integrating many members of the Croatian diaspora into New Zealand society, while simultaneously preserving identity elements of their country of origin and finally renewing their ties to Croatia after decades of being relatively poorly connected.