My wish for 2010: that it will be a little less naughty

When midnight strikes tonight the noughties will be over and another decade will begin.

What did 2009 provide in terms of sport?Well, several athletes finished the decade faster, higher, stronger and, in some cases, naughtier.

Bolt, Caster and swimmers in polyurethane suits went faster, Vili and Tua grew stronger, the Silver Ferns jumped higher, and many high-profile athletes provided scandalous fodder in their private as well as public lives for us to feed on.

I'm sure the NRL and Tiger will be glad to see the back of the naughties.

What do we have to look forward to in 2010?

The 20teens are starting off with a hiss and a roar - 2010 is the year of world championships when the All Whites, Tall Blacks, Black Sticks, and Black Ferns will be punching above their weight against the rest of the world while Kiwi athletes prepare to compete against other Commonwealth athletes in Delhi.

In terms of rugby, the smaller unions will have finished patting themselves on the back over Christmas and will be rolling up their sleeves to perform in the status quo provincial championship, on and off the field.

At elite level, the Super 14 teams will be preparing for grass burn as rugby encroaches on the summer season, and the All Blacks will be doing what they can to peak in 2011.

At this stage, we're not too sure if that means they'll be rotating or resting players and coaches.

Maori rugby will also have a chance to shine in 2010 with renewed focus on the regional tournaments that take place in March and perhaps some test matches on home soil to celebrate 100 years of Maori rugby , something I think all New Zealanders should be proud of.

What will the average New Zealander be doing sport-wise?

There will be many New Year's resolutions along the lines of "be more active or complete a marathon or join a gym or sports club".

My own sporting resolutions from afar consist of doing mini-triathlons, playing social football, getting into rugby coaching again and running around after my child in an attempt to reactivate my body, mind and soul post-childbirth and sleep deprivation.

In fact, I'm writing this at a beachside cabin watching adults and children fishing, swimming, kayaking, and playing beach cricket and touch rugby.

I can't wait to do that with my child.

In fact, why wait for the first of January to start my sporting resolutions? I'm putting the laptop away and grabbing a bat right now to see if I can whack a tennis ball to the boundary (which in this case is the ocean).

Although professionalism, commercialism and technology continue to make inroads into sport, it's great to witness and live the outdoor sporty lifestyle we enjoy here in Aotearoa.

Here's to athletes, volunteers and workers in sport - from the finely-tuned heroes and once were finely-tuned has-beens to the sandy-toed could've and should've beens out there.

Let's start the next decade with more of the faster, stronger, higher and a little less of the naughty.