January and February - 'tis the season for sports fans to get ''jolly''.
Those with the discretionary cash and time in our biggest city have been gorging themselves on sport events such as the Festival of Tennis and the NRL Auckland Nines.
The rest of New Zealand is not going to miss out on this smorgasbord of sport, either, with the Wellington Sevens, in its 15th year, kicking off tomorrow, and the Cricket World Cup opening match in Christchurch only two weekends away.
But can you get too much of a good thing? Is New Zealand's population enough to sustain this sporting bonanza?Most people only get one ''pass'' from their loved ones to have a boys' only or girls' only weekend, and the patience of bosses must wear thin when their employees pull a sickie that happens to coincide with some major sports event.
It is a luxury to experience several weekends away with all the costs that incurs, so sports fanatics have to be selective about what they really want to be a part of. Unfortunately for the Wellington Sevens, they may bear the brunt of sports groupies feeling the financial pinch at last.
And the threat of rain, although great for farmers and avid gardeners, is not such a relief to outdoor spectators.
The NRL Auckland Nines put on a great show with good weather (for the most part), entertaining games, a three-test series between the Kiwi Ferns and Jillaroos (which the NZ team won 2-1) and a nail-biting final that went into extra time.
That will be a difficult act to follow in our capital city this weekend.
The Auckland Nines organisers (NRL and Duco Events) are not giving away too much with regards to profits, but 43,000 tickets were sold and they were more expensive than last year so, although only 20,000 spectators hung in for the final (after the Warriors and good weather departed), that is still more than the 16,000 tickets that have been sold so far for the Wellington Sevens.
Has the sun finally set on the sevens? Organisers are desperately trying to find that delicate balance between being a big dress-up/booze-up party and a sports event.
There have been issues with excessive alcohol consumption at the event and all the problems that creates.
Every year, the organisers improve on their hosting responsibilities, offering water, limiting alcohol intake, and providing a variety of family-friendly and chill-out zones.
Then, of course, there is the rugby on show. Sixteen countries will be vying for top honours as part of the world circuit, and also as preparation for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Gordon Tietjens has added some interest by taking this opportunity to give four rookies a chance to shine on their home turf, and someone will have to step up and fill the shoes of Tim Mikkelson, who is out with a groin injury.
So, if those south of the Bombay Hills didn't get the chance to experience the twos (tennis) or the nines (NRL), and haven't bought a ticket to see the elevens (cricket) yet, maybe there is one more ''sickie'', ''pass'' or ''pocket money'' left.
One thing is for sure: the Wellington Sevens is always memorable on and off the field, so take this opportunity to show Aucklanders the rest of New Zealand can enjoy sport with the best of them.
