Onya Sport

For a long time professional sport has been more "business" than "sport" but that certainly hasn't stopped the crowd attending games. And at the same time as the marketing power of individuals and teams has increased, our expectation of them as role models has also risen.

I would like to think that people would be selected to be role models based on the content of their character (yes MLK) rather than their ability to run, kick, jump or whatever but it is a crazy world.

So while we cry foul when someone has an affair, drinks to much and does something dumb or just proved him/herself to be a dick is that particularly fair? Yes they are paid a fortune by both their team and sponsors and they might even be a 'star' but isn't it something of a default that our kids look up to them.

Surely we as parents or significant persons in a young person's life have a responsibility to educate them from an early age about the content of character and the wisdom in selecting our role models carefully. And while someone may be an excellent role model as a rugby player (or insert your sport of interest) , it doesn't mean he is an ideal man, father, businessman or whatever.

Added to that is the hypocritical nature of us as fans. We are disappointed when our favorites get into trouble with alcohol but we put up with all of the advertising at the games, not to mention having a brew or two while we watch. We are outraged when there is reports of match fixing or other incidents of gambling, but we sit through television coverage that provides the odds for various things literally every 15 minutes as both advertising and comments byt he commentators. We call "shame" when a player has an affair, but offer intense public scrutiny of what WAGS wear and how they act.

I am not excusing bad behaviour. I am just pointing out that there is a bigger picture in play and we as adults, parents and fans have a responsibility in all of this as well.

Image: "sport" by dragonslairfoto

The One Day in September

It is that time of the year when the football (in all codes) begins to wind down. There is one aspect of this that find particularly pleasing - and that is that this ad is back on tv. Now I say plainly I am not a fan of the game but I do love the ad :-)

Basketball Nights

Back to news from the holiday. Thursday night was basketball night - J1 and his team are playing in a national competition and this tournament is one of the elimination rounds (I hope I have explained that properly).

Both Miss Weasley and J1's dad are basketball players - good players - and as such basketball has featured heavily in the lives of the kiddlies over the years. J 1 had better ball skills than me at the age of 4 or 5 (which might not be saying much now that I think about it) but I guess what I am trying to say is that he is good, real good. If he wanted to make a career out of it he probably could, and if nothing else it should get him a scholarship to a college of his choice.

It was an absolute joy to watch him play - something I haven't had the chance to do for a few years now. Last time J1 was a boy and now, well he is definitely a young man.

I am very proud of J1 - for his sportsmanship, his commitment, his discipline, his leadership, his integrity, his personality, for pretty much everything really.

Go Australia :-/

I have awoken to the news that taxpayers have paid $17 million for each of the gold medals won by Australian athletes in Beijing. And not only is that an abomination but the sports authorities are blaming a lack of government funding on not winning more. They are currently formulating plans to increase government funding for London in 2012.

It's disgusting. Oi oi oi...

Netball Moments

When I was little, I am guessing about 7, I was playing netball (as GK - Goal Keeper) and our team must have had a good day because the ball never game down my end of the court.

To amuse ourselves the Goal Shooter played airplanes. Now I can't remember how it started but it did make sense and it amused us to no end.

My birth mother wasn't amused and repeated the story for years, always emphasizing how humiliated she had been.

I have been watching junior netball for a few weeks now and to my utmost delight I have found girls in a similar situation searching for flowers on the pitch (the younger kids play on a grass court instead of the more traditional asphalt), having conversations, looking at birds, sitting down and waiting patiently and ... well filling in the time any way they can. And the parents on the sideline notice but they express no shame, more of a sympathy or at the very least an empathy. Add to that an incredible sense of pride as they watch their little athletes, or their team mates, develop their skills and do things this week that they didn't do last week.

Our team is not the best in the competition but all of the players turn up with a light heart, genuinely looking forward to having a run around with their friends. And they improve as they go along.

It sounds silly but I have been so ashamed over playing airplanes ever since it happened - and now I realize it is perfectly normal.

So I throw away the shame, and replace it with a smile and a warm heart. After all, kids are kids and junior sport was always meant to be fun :-)

Junior Netball

I played netball as a child but I don't remember learning to play. I know we went to training once a week but that was to hone skills more than to actually learn them.

I know I played airplanes one game - I was GK and my partner was obviously GS but our team always had the ball so it never came down our end and we had to amuse ourselves somehow lol! And when I played basketball I did try and shoot at the opponents goal (but that is another story completely). And I was competent but never going to be a sports star at either game but that is digressing.

I mention this because yesterday I saw Nairbe's girls play beginner netball. The girls had been asking me to come and watch ever since they started playing (3 games ago) but yesterday it worked out and I was there.

It was delightful to watch 14 young girls play a game where most of them had absolutely no idea. Many passes went straight to the opposition. There was the inevitable flinch and the shutting of eyes by some when the ball came their way. There were the persistent reminders as to what direction they were playing in.

It was a blast for us watching and the girls had incredible fun. The umpiring was very generous - and was periodically accompanied by the game stopping and a specific rule being explained. Both coaches and the occasional mom were allowed to run with their teams - gently encouraging the holding up of arms, shuffling girls back to their spots ... well all' round coaching actually. The crowd cheered loudly no matter who did something good, or when any goal was scored - none of the nasty-parent-on-the-sideline at this game.

Dare I saw it was just plain fun - with a little learning thrown in :-)

For Wildcatters or the Very Bored

I heard the news that Scott Fisher (on the left) is heading back to the US.

I should probably pre-empt this post by saying that I am *really* out of contact with the Wildcats on ... well I was going to say a day-to-day basis, but really, I am just outa touch. I do know they were one day from the grand final this year.

For that reason alone I would assume that his contract would be renewed (June was the deadline) so I assume that he is heading Stateside for personal reasons (yes this post is based on speculation and assumption from someone who is outa touch).

Now there have been a couple of ups and downs in the last 20-odd years of his stay here. But who hasn't, in the last 20 years, had some ups and downs. I am guessing he would be in his late 40's (I could Google it but why let the facts get int he way of a good speculation) so his parents could be getting older - do they need his care?

It *really* interests me in why he is going home after all this time - his name, his money, his reputation have all been made in Perth - why go back and start again? Did he get an MBA or something (although I think he could still exploit that in Perth better than the States)?

I guess the obvious guess is that he has got a good coaching job over there ... no idea.... hmmm ....

It Has Rained A Little Bit 2

Anyone for football - it is a winter sport after all and a bit of mud never hurt anyone!

And no the days isn't a bit foggy - that is the rain falling :-)

Admin Note

The Sports Report and Good News stories will now become periodic rather than regular postings.

It's Just Not Cricket

I know there is money involved in professional sport, and I know the players aren't necessarily in it for the enjoyment of the game and the money the are paid is significant (and a degree of ruthlessness becomes 'normal') but ...

The Harbhajan Singh case seriously makes me reassess my love of Test cricket. I haven't heard the judge's comments because there is nothing he can say that will convince me of the "rightness" of his decision.

Singh has accepted he said something offensive and don't try and tell me he didn't know that calling someone who is colored (I hate that term) a "m******" is an abomination (worse than the 'n' word).

But money and position and blackmail have cleared him.

I am way beyond disgust.

It just isn't cricket and I am not sure my love of the game will ever recover sufficiently that I can watch it again.

Tuna Scandal?

Tuna tossing is one of those weird sports Australia play. Each year, contestants in four categories hurl fish weighing up to 10 kilograms as far as they can, usually using a technique akin to an Olympic hammer thrower's. The winner in each category gets $1,000 Australian dollars

And okay so I may have questioned the ethics of tuna tossing and I am limited in what I can say here without appearing hypocritical but ...

Some reports from as far back as December claimed that this years Tunarama Festival would be replacing the actual tuna with polyurethane replicas.

The fake fish have been sculpted by a locally born artist to look just like the real thing.

Merriwyne Hore, the acting manager of the 2008 festival, said the switch was being made for several reasons, including to avoid wasting perfectly good fish.

Hore said some people had objected to the change, but it was judged necessary on ecological and monetary grounds.

"Some people don't like it because it's not original, but it's time we got green, got realistic about this," she said.

Is this true - is possible to be more farcical that the actual concept of 'tuna tossing'?

The Toss happened on the weekend and at this time, our reported have been unable to verify the use of real or fake tuna.

From IHT via Associated Press

Mountain Girl's Tragedy

I started work at 9.00 last night and I wasn't due to finish until 10.30 this morning (with a 30 minute break of course) - it is a killer shift at the best of times.

I had been watching the Test and although there was only a few wickets to go, and plenty of overs, the last couple of days had been slow and not very interesting (not that I would ever say that about a Test Match). So, I decided to be a responsible employee and have nap before work - even though I wasn't really tired, but I was 'responsible'.

I tossed and turned a got a few minutes sleep over the next few hours and I guess that was okay.

I awoke to the news that Australia had won - with 7 balls to spare...

Doh!

It sounds so pathetic to say I knew the Aussies would win (and equal the record for Test Match wins) if I went to sleep - and if I stayed awake it would diminish into a boring draw. I know I really don't have that power. More like a case of Murphy's Law. But ... well, doh!

Today was going to be my last Sport's Report because I figured I really don't care about sport and the challenge of producing something vaguely interesting has been good, but I am not sure I succeeded. Now I realize I do care about sport (sometimes) and I never actually write anything here for the popularity so ... well the Sport's report will be back next week ....

More Sport - Mountaingirl Style :-)

When too much sport is never enough, consider the offerings from this week's report!


The world of tossing should never be taken for granted - lets face it, if you can chuck something further than someone else, call it a sport and crown yourself "World Champion". Now of all of the silly things to toss, the sport of Tuna Tossing must be one of the most ridiculous - if nothing else, does anyone consider how much these things actually cost, let alone it is an actual living creature (or was at some point). Would love to see someone doing cat-tossing or dog-tossing and see whether the world reacts the same way.... But to get off my soapbox and concentrate on this 'sport'. Tuna Tossing is one of the features of the Tunarama, Port Lincoln (SA) tuna festival ... actually I am going to stop there because a Tunarama deserves a followup all of its own. It happens at the end of January so stay tuned :-)


Toe Wrestling may have started as a friendly competition between kids but, yep, you guessed it, the competition has lifted to the point that a World Championship has been considered justified. There was an application lodged in 1997 for Toe Wrestling to be included as an Olympic sport, but (unsurprisingly) the application was not successful. Wiki advises that "to play, all players must be bare feet, so remove all shoes and socks before the match. Players must link toes and each players feet much touch flat on the others persons feet. Typically, after a short starting chant which varies by region (for example, "one, two, three, four, I declare a toe war."), the opponents proceed to attempt to pin (capture or trap) their opponent's feet for three seconds, while avoiding the same."


The 2007 World Marble Championship was held in Prague. Yes another playground game that has progressed to the elite level! Admittedly the Brits play this at the pub so that probably accounts for some of its popularity :-) There are team games, individual challenges and very specific rules that cover all possibilities. Most importantly a "Player is allowed to smoke during the game only with the permission of his opponent".

Monday Sports Report

When too much sport just isn't enough ... well it can't be expected to come in on time can it ....

Polo, played by kings and princes alike isn't for everyone - I mean it isn't always easy to retain the stiff upper lip when trying to whack a ball from on top of a horse. Much more practical is elephant polo :-) Elephant polo allegedly evolved as the result of a drinking bout (really!). The rules are much the same as regular polo but the pitch is smaller as elephants are slower than horses (really!). The competitions are sponsored by such companies as Cartier and Chivas Regal. See polo for the common man!

Now I can't find pictorial evidence for the Double-Decker Demolition Derby but I have seen it so you will have to take my word it is real. And no, no buses are hurt during the race. The Double-Decker Derby is contested by two vehicles that are welded on top of each other - the top one is a little car and the driver does the steering, the bottom car is bigger one and the driver controls the accelerator and brake. Yes I am serious - two cars stacked vertically attempting to demolish of versions of the same, while not overbalancing. Does sport get any better :-/

The ultimate weird sport (yes I have been saving this one because of the timing) is 20-20 cricket. Now cricket is a gentleman's game played over 5 days. There are moments of excitement, lots of stopping for drinks and lunch, and something of a genteel aura to it all. In the late 70's it became more commercial with the introduction of a one day version which, with a few tweaks of the rules and the introduction of colored pyjamas instead of the traditional whites, took over our televisions. While it definitely wasn't the same, it was somehow acceptable, well it was after 20 years of thinking about it. Now they have 20-20 for people who don't like cricket and don't have time to watch it. Think baseball on a cricket pitch - oh don't be fooled by the wearing of the pyjamas and the players having familiar names - they are just trying to suck you in with something you have become used to. And for those who have no interest in *real* cricket, it works ... sigh

Monday Sports Report

Welcome back to the wild (and yes I do mean 'wild') world of sport - Mountaingirl style.

The annual British and World Marbles Championship are held on Good Friday of each year - so yes the excitement of the 2008 tournament is well and truly building. This year, sixteen teams from England, Scotland, Germany and Holland competed in 5 stages to be crowned this years world Champs. Marbles have been played on this location for hundreds of years, some say since 1588 when two local lads played for the hand of a young lady. Prizes are awarded for best team, Individual champions, best lady player, and one award to a player who has never won anything.

The World Pooh-Sticks Championship Race is just the sort of race that Mountaingirl could see herself developing a love for and risking competency! Pooh Stick racing might sound kind of dirty, but it's not. Pooh Stick racing actually consists of finding a stick, dropping it in to a river, and then seeing how long it takes to get to the finish line. That's it. That's all they do. It's inspired and named after Winnie the Pooh, as he and Christopher Robin used to play the same game. The next Annual Championship is on March 30 2008 ... I personally will start counting sleeps :-)

Korfball is one of those sports that is rumored to be dominated by New Zealand but as I am not familiar with the game I feel comfortable posting it here without adding to the over-the-ditch-rivalry. Korfball promotes itself as the world’s
only mixed team sport. Since its earliest development, korfball teams have consisted equally of male and female players. Korfball is a ball sport played by hand. It takes a few moments to learn, but a lifetime to perfect. By passing and quick movement players must elude their personal opponents to shoot the ball through a korf – the Dutch word for basket. In the standard game, teams consist of eight players – four male and four female. The korf is set in from the end of the playing area, enabling shots from 360 degrees. Players assume either attack or defence roles. After two goals, defenders and attackers switch – placing emphasis on the development of all-round skills: each player should be able to defend, attack, shoot and support his or her team-mates. A player ‘defended’ by a personal opponent is not permitted to shoot, meaning quick shots, based on specific technique, are most effective. Korfball is based on co-operation between players – dribbling and running with the ball are classed as ‘solo play’ and are outlawed. Although contact between players does occur in korfball, that contact is controlled – players may not gain advantage from contacting their opponents. Got that :-/

Obviously all of this came from one of their brochures ... give me PoohSticks any day :-)

Monday Sports Report

Okay so last week's report was deadly dull and boring and if I am going to continue, I need to make the whole thing more .. Mountaingirl :-) And thanks to the ABC for help with research on these fascinating sports :-)

Zorbing (done by Zorbanauts of course) is done in a zorb (the big ball).

The first site was set up in Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island, and since then zorb has rolled into Asia, Australia, Europe and North America. To date there doesn't appear to be a World Champion Zorber but I will keep my eyes out :-)

Cheese rolling is a sport conducted in England at Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake at which time the runners plunge down the course in pursuit of a big wheel of the region's famous Double Gloucester cheese!

Originally at midsummer, the festival is now held on the last Monday in May. Results of the 2008 Championship will be posted in due course. If you wish to follow up the results from 2007 - or get any more details on this exciting if not painful sport, check out the official website :-)

Bossaball is a brand new sport born in Belgium early in the 21st century. The game is is like a combination of beach volleyball and competitive trampolining, with a live South American soundtrack thrown in.

It's played on a specially designed inflatable court that features a round trampoline on each side of an adjustable volleyball-style net. The entire court and surrounding area are heavily padded for safety and the trampolines are circled by a big red barrier called the bossawall.

Bossaball has quickly become popular in Europe and South America and the portable court has allowed it to be played on beaches, in schools and at music festivals.

Monday Sport Report

I love a challenge and this is my new one - to blog a sport report each week. Now my 'rules' are that I need to report on at least three sports and I can't repeat each sport each week ...

So being the sports-mad babe that I am, here goes ....

NETBALL: Liz Ellis has, after 18 years of playing national level netball, retired as captain of the Australian netball team ( can't find the name of the team). Australian won the world championship by defeating the New Zealand Silverferns 42 - 38.

CRICKET: Darren Lehmann has retired from first class cricket.

On a more positive note, at the time of writing, Sri Lanka is 246 and 3/233 needing another 274 runs for a win :-) And I must ask, why doesn't Australia just play the Ashes and cancel all other Test games? It isn't just that they are boring (and I LOVE Test games more than is acceptable) - I mean is this REALLY cricket? As the world of cricket becomes more commercial and moves towards the one day and 20/20 matches, surely "real" cricket could be left to tradition and not just space filler :-)

TENNIS: Roger Federer has won the Masters Cup he beat David Ferrer 6-2 6-3 6-2