Fav Sports
- Thread starter Nightmare
- Start date
Yeah, I' trying to get better with badminton. My mother keeps telling me that so and so is not the correct movment. LOL
I'm also pretty good at table tennis.
Australian rules football and ice hockey. Both fast, exciting sports.
Aussie Rules is a great sport to play, probably the world's best kept secret. There is some physicality and muscle, but it isn't brutal on the ball carrier like rugby (ie. you don't need to be a human battering ram) and it requires ample skill, fitness, endurance and flexibility but absolutely no padding. You basically run around a huge field for nearly 2 hours bouncing an oddly shaped ball, kicking an jumping into the air for it. It is like full-contact soccer or ultimate disc. To be really good at it, it requires both hand and foot co-ordination and accuracy on both sides of your body whilst running at full speed and evading other players. At first glance it looks easy, but it is actually very difficult to master.
The Australian Football League (AFL) is great to watch, great athletes, fast, action packed and high scoring.
Anyone interested in giving it a try should check out AFL Canada http://www.aflcanada.com/
I also like football and rugby, but I can't stand soccer.
Aussie Rules is a great sport to play, probably the world's best kept secret. There is some physicality and muscle, but it isn't brutal on the ball carrier like rugby (ie. you don't need to be a human battering ram) and it requires ample skill, fitness, endurance and flexibility but absolutely no padding. You basically run around a huge field for nearly 2 hours bouncing an oddly shaped ball, kicking an jumping into the air for it. It is like full-contact soccer or ultimate disc. To be really good at it, it requires both hand and foot co-ordination and accuracy on both sides of your body whilst running at full speed and evading other players. At first glance it looks easy, but it is actually very difficult to master.
The Australian Football League (AFL) is great to watch, great athletes, fast, action packed and high scoring.
Anyone interested in giving it a try should check out AFL Canada http://www.aflcanada.com/
I also like football and rugby, but I can't stand soccer.
Nightmare said:
To each his own.
I played baseball and softball for many years and coach both sports for many more years. I saw many young people become better citizens because of the fun and experience of playing these great sports. As one who values good citizenship, this makes those sports even more significant to me.
Sports are a great thing and I am glad that you enjoy playing them. But there is a far greater dimension to them as sports makes our youth into better people. And that makes sports even greater in my mind.
Basically talloola, when I mean league hockey I mean being a kid under 14 and paying several hundreds of dollars to join a team, having to buy a ton of equipment, travel all over the region and the such. You know, the sport where the parents live through their children, and often degrade their maturity far lower than a 10-year old ever would (when work for a newspaper - and participating in hockey - I had seen numerous parents and coaches fighting, swearing, abusing and taunting others, embarassing their children, families and the community).
By rink hockey I mean just putting on some skates and going to the local outdoor rink, and playing an informal game whenever the mood struck us - few rules, play with a tennis ball, change teams when we felt like it - you know, fun hockey. The world's greatest player honed his basic skills this way with his father on a small patch of ice; it was years later when he joined a league. As for us, Northern Ontario youth don't have the population necessary to form anything higher than small local teams - those that make it really well are drafted to cities in southern Ontario, the northern US and Manitoba.
As for your last incoherent comment, I'm sorry to say, but I knew a lot of kids whose parents thought they were really competitive, and given the first chance to not play, they took it. Why? Their parents put enormous pressure on them, and they quickly learned to resent it - many hate everything to do with hockey now.
Furthermore, who says that kids can only enjoy one or the other, because that really reeks of arrogance and presumption on your part. I enjoyed both, but having to centre your life around a twice a week league was a huge hassle on a young person's life, looking back in retrospect.
Like I said, my issue is that organized hockey, at least in my section of Canada, is a mess right now. It has removed almost every element of fun and become a becaon of competitiveness that is aimed more at the parents and the coaches of the players than at the kids themselves, as they shout obscenties and utter (and sometimes carry out) acts of violence towards each other in full view of small children and other onlookers. The amount of money, time and committment needed to play in a youth league is now astounding, costing thousands of dollars and countless hours of travelling - as my teacher of a wife can attest, many of those that play for the regional team struggle in academics, as they simply don't have any free time to do their homework; they are always practicing, fundraising or travelling to dirtholes like Sioux Lookout. The unfortunate thing is that this scenario has gone from one or two bad apples to a much larger-scale epidemic that is being seen in many of Canada's youth sports.
By rink hockey I mean just putting on some skates and going to the local outdoor rink, and playing an informal game whenever the mood struck us - few rules, play with a tennis ball, change teams when we felt like it - you know, fun hockey. The world's greatest player honed his basic skills this way with his father on a small patch of ice; it was years later when he joined a league. As for us, Northern Ontario youth don't have the population necessary to form anything higher than small local teams - those that make it really well are drafted to cities in southern Ontario, the northern US and Manitoba.
As for your last incoherent comment, I'm sorry to say, but I knew a lot of kids whose parents thought they were really competitive, and given the first chance to not play, they took it. Why? Their parents put enormous pressure on them, and they quickly learned to resent it - many hate everything to do with hockey now.
Furthermore, who says that kids can only enjoy one or the other, because that really reeks of arrogance and presumption on your part. I enjoyed both, but having to centre your life around a twice a week league was a huge hassle on a young person's life, looking back in retrospect.
Like I said, my issue is that organized hockey, at least in my section of Canada, is a mess right now. It has removed almost every element of fun and become a becaon of competitiveness that is aimed more at the parents and the coaches of the players than at the kids themselves, as they shout obscenties and utter (and sometimes carry out) acts of violence towards each other in full view of small children and other onlookers. The amount of money, time and committment needed to play in a youth league is now astounding, costing thousands of dollars and countless hours of travelling - as my teacher of a wife can attest, many of those that play for the regional team struggle in academics, as they simply don't have any free time to do their homework; they are always practicing, fundraising or travelling to dirtholes like Sioux Lookout. The unfortunate thing is that this scenario has gone from one or two bad apples to a much larger-scale epidemic that is being seen in many of Canada's youth sports.
To each his own.
I played baseball and softball for many years and coach both sports for many more years. I saw many young people become better citizens because of the fun and experience of playing these great sports. As one who values good citizenship, this makes those sports even more significant to me.
Sports are a great thing and I am glad that you enjoy playing them. But there is a far greater dimension to them as sports makes our youth into better people. And that makes sports even greater in my mind.
The great thing about baseball and softball is that it truly focusses on the team aspect of the experience. You know everyone is going to get so many at-bats, everyone is going to be fielding the ball, and when the kids are young it is a nice relaxed atmosphere where you can shuffle people around. Even if you're a great baseball player, it's rarely enough to outshine the team aspect. This is sadly not true in hockey anymore.
Coaches have gotten competitive to the point where they bench players for almost the entire game, and try to ride on their star players in an attempt for a trinket of a regional medal. The sad thing is, these kids are less than 12 years old. They scream and berate kids on both sides of the ice, and often pick fights with the referees. I once saw a coach of an out-of-town team, after one of his players was accidently tripped, spit on the offending child - in atom league hockey (11-12 years old).
Sports really can be a double-edged sword. Like a lot of things in life, it has brought out the best and the worst in us.
And that is your own experience, so you shouldn't have played in that level and seriousness, but that doesn't mean it is bad, as many many kids "love" that level and thrive on it, so let them have that pleasure.
Excuse me? You can't claim not to sound arrogant and then tell me what I should or should not have done 10 years ago, especially since I had already said that I enjoyed it on several levels. That's exactly the kind of mentality that is shaping youth sports today, and it sounds really contradictory to what you say later on:
Kids have to go their own way, and if they want to strive to be the best, that is their call, as long as they are not hurting themselves, and that is when the parents have to step in.
So I made my choice, but it was, according to you, apparently wrong; but, I have to be an independent thinker, yet I should listen to those others to choose whether or not I should compete in certain levels if I so desire, and I am able to do so? Which is it? I doubt you told your grandson he shouldn't have played at whatever levels he played at, since it was clear he had lost passion and interest in 'rep hockey'. Was he blocking someone from realizing their dream? Unlikely.
Hockey can still remain competitive for those who wish to excel, even if it is heavily decentralized from the current model. It certainly hasn't stopped the thousands who made it to the world's highest levels of hockey competition before the transformation of the youth leagues into 'personal parent conduits'. The fact that corporations are sponsoring many league teams to the point where they are monopolies and companies run within themselves, as well as the amount of money and time devoted by the children and their parents in these ventures is nothing short of sickening.
What I'm trying to say is that youth league hockey is an extra-curricular activity, much like a chess club or a bird-watching society; however, those who are active in it are finding that it consumes much of their lives, muchso more than before, and in ridiculous proportion to other extra-curricular activities. Every hockey family I know spends every weekend travelling in and competing in out-of-town tournaments, while three times a week little Timmy comes home from school, eats some garbage fast-food then has to commute to the arena, where they do drills until 8pm or they're singled out and either benched or played based on the undeveloped skill levels of a 10-year old. They come home from hockey, and exhausted, having not spent one moment on school-work. Even worse, the parents force them to stay up half the night doing the work, and the children lack sleep and energy - to speak nothing of those 'extra' practices and the numerous fundraising drives that are needed to fund such an expensive and complex organization. You find me another extra-curricular activity that consumes that much of a person's life, and ask a 10-year old, already overworked with the new Ontario curriculum (these kids are doing work we did in grade 10 in grade 6) to try and not only take it all in stride, but actually enjoy it.
Darn you though, as you kinda took the sting out of my argument with a really nice conclusion to your last post; well-said points on the kids and their need for independent thinking.
Excuse me? You can't claim not to sound arrogant and then tell me what I should or should not have done 10 years ago, especially since I had already said that I enjoyed it on several levels. That's exactly the kind of mentality that is shaping youth sports today, and it sounds really contradictory to what you say later on:
Kids have to go their own way, and if they want to strive to be the best, that is their call, as long as they are not hurting themselves, and that is when the parents have to step in.
So I made my choice, but it was, according to you, apparently wrong; but, I have to be an independent thinker, yet I should listen to those others to choose whether or not I should compete in certain levels if I so desire, and I am able to do so? Which is it? I doubt you told your grandson he shouldn't have played at whatever levels he played at, since it was clear he had lost passion and interest in 'rep hockey'. Was he blocking someone from realizing their dream? Unlikely.
Hockey can still remain competitive for those who wish to excel, even if it is heavily decentralized from the current model. It certainly hasn't stopped the thousands who made it to the world's highest levels of hockey competition before the transformation of the youth leagues into 'personal parent conduits'. The fact that corporations are sponsoring many league teams to the point where they are monopolies and companies run within themselves, as well as the amount of money and time devoted by the children and their parents in these ventures is nothing short of sickening.
What I'm trying to say is that youth league hockey is an extra-curricular activity, much like a chess club or a bird-watching society; however, those who are active in it are finding that it consumes much of their lives, muchso more than before, and in ridiculous proportion to other extra-curricular activities. Every hockey family I know spends every weekend travelling in and competing in out-of-town tournaments, while three times a week little Timmy comes home from school, eats some garbage fast-food then has to commute to the arena, where they do drills until 8pm or they're singled out and either benched or played based on the undeveloped skill levels of a 10-year old. They come home from hockey, and exhausted, having not spent one moment on school-work. Even worse, the parents force them to stay up half the night doing the work, and the children lack sleep and energy - to speak nothing of those 'extra' practices and the numerous fundraising drives that are needed to fund such an expensive and complex organization. You find me another extra-curricular activity that consumes that much of a person's life, and ask a 10-year old, already overworked with the new Ontario curriculum (these kids are doing work we did in grade 10 in grade 6) to try and not only take it all in stride, but actually enjoy it.
Darn you though, as you kinda took the sting out of my argument with a really nice conclusion to your last post; well-said points on the kids and their need for independent thinking.
Gary Gait!!
As a HUGE lacrosse and Syracuse Orange fan, I was THRILLED to see that my lax hero Gary Gait will now coach the SU women's team:
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070829.wspt-gait29/GSStory/GlobeSportsOther/home
The previous coach Lisa Miller did a great job of building up the program and she deserves much kudos for her dedication. Frankly, I was surprised that she left but wish her well.
Imagine if Michael Jordan left pro basketball to coach women's college ball --- what incredible publicity that would generate for the team and for the sport. Well, to us lacrosse fans, Gary is our Jordan!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gait
And he is another reason why we should all love Canadians!!!:smile:
As a HUGE lacrosse and Syracuse Orange fan, I was THRILLED to see that my lax hero Gary Gait will now coach the SU women's team:
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070829.wspt-gait29/GSStory/GlobeSportsOther/home
The previous coach Lisa Miller did a great job of building up the program and she deserves much kudos for her dedication. Frankly, I was surprised that she left but wish her well.
Imagine if Michael Jordan left pro basketball to coach women's college ball --- what incredible publicity that would generate for the team and for the sport. Well, to us lacrosse fans, Gary is our Jordan!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Gait
And he is another reason why we should all love Canadians!!!:smile:
Hockey and Lacrosse. Had some family play it and grew up watching it. And I've loved them both ever since!
Funny you should mention Gary Gait, Gopher. It was always a joy to see him play and coach in the NLL with Colorado. The guy was amazing, especially at his age. I always wondered what was going to happen to him since he stepped down as coach. And now I know...
I wish him all the best as coach of the SU women's team.
Funny you should mention Gary Gait, Gopher. It was always a joy to see him play and coach in the NLL with Colorado. The guy was amazing, especially at his age. I always wondered what was going to happen to him since he stepped down as coach. And now I know...
I wish him all the best as coach of the SU women's team.
