Other groups seeking advancement have been disadvantaged by low heavy fighter numbers (see References). It would be highly detrimental to the SCA in NZ if that proves to be the case here, particularly as some of the factors are well outside our control.
(Updated Mar '21): NZ currently has 33 authorised fighters in total, with around 8-15 regularly attending fighters’ practices at three locations (Ildhafn, Darton and Southron Gaard). Opinions vary as to whether this cadre is sufficient and/or adequate and what can be done to strengthen it - a positive sign is that numbers are up by around 20% in recent months.
As background, since 2015 Lochac has elevated, on average, 2.2 knights per year (half Atlantia’s knightings; twice Drachenwald’s); there were no Kiwi knights in that period. In 40+ years, New Zealand has had 11 knights; 5 of these dubbed prior to 2002, the most recent in 2012. Of the roughly ten NZ knights remaining engaged in the SCA, 4-5 attend fighters’ practices; one knight has participated in Crown Tournaments in the past five years.
Heavy numbers have remained reasonably stable, averaging around 26 per year from 2018-2020, reaching a new peak of 33 in 2021. (NB the three-year authorisation period makes it tricky to track trends over a short time frame; Canterbury Faire skews numbers at the beginning of the year.) Of the 28 authorised heavies in the year to February 2020 (so now a bit out of date), the regional breakdown was:
Ildhafn 0* no authorised heavy fighters since 2016; this has now changed
Cluain 5 including 2 in 16-18 age range, no knights
Darton 4 one knight
Southron Gaard 19 including the only first-time authorisation in this period
Ildhafn City (Auckland) accounts for a third of NZ’s population but has long had difficulties in developing and maintaining any heavy fighting; the three adults authorised in Cluain are spread between Hamilton (2) and Tauranga (1). For a long period before Feb 2021, neither group has regular fighters’ practice; Ildhafn has now recommenced. Darton has a weekly practice; SG has weekly heavy practices and a monthly tourney, with roughly 8-12 fighters attending. Clearly SG would heavily dominate a rattan-based Coronet so, depending on the selection format used, this could be a major and potentially divisive concern.
This situation reflects a number of factors:
- New Zealand’s low participation density (33 authorised fighters spread over a country the size of Italy) makes it difficult to gain experience or varied opponents
- difficulty in gaining experience and renown across Kingdom without significant outlay on regular international travel and associated costs (with COVID, currently impossible)
- the relative cost of gearing up for heavy combat, and the high economic disparity between Australia and New Zealand making Crown economically unviable for most NZ contenders, eg average annual salaries: AU $91k, NZ $52k (both in NZ$)
- relative lack of access to resources
After COVID, all these factors are somewhat exacerbated.
A Principality could galvanise some improvement* to this situation by drawing older/inactive fighters back and encouraging new ones to train harder. And it may be possible to use this to develop a stronger rattan-based culture through organised outreach and training, active recruitment drives with strong support mechanisms, and more focused higher-level development. But that all requires a strong, sustained drive and support. If that doesn’t happen and we cannot get a dispensation for an Alternate Selection Process, then that is likely to have a very detrimental long-term effect on the SCA in New Zealand.
In Lochac, Crown Tourney lists typically range from 7 to 15, depending on where they are held; the 2017-2019 average was 12.3 - not including Crown Tourneys held at Festival, which are outliers. In the most recent NZ-based Crown Tournament (May 2019, Darton), the local field included one knight and six experienced heavy fighters in a total list of 12 combatants.
(* there is evidence of improvement in the past year, with more knights attending fighters practices and a ten-week heavy training workshop that commenced in Ildhafn in Feb 2021)