I have never represented my country in the Green & Gold on the sporting field but I have been around elite sport enough to know it must certainly be the greatest honour imaginable to a sportsperson.
Pulling on any National uniform that bares the Coat of Arms, Southern Cross or word Australia should always bring a sense of pride and belonging.
If you're in that uniform it should mean a lot.
But unfortunately, when it comes to modern cricket, many of the games in which those green and gold clad players take the field mean nothing to the rest of us.
Sure The Ashes, or pretty much any Test for that matter, command and receive the respect they deserve. And in the one day arena, or even Twenty20, the World Cup(s) and Champions Trophy are a big deal.
But that's about where it stops these days. Maybe a three-five game series against a touring team is warranted but that's surely it.
Playing a meaningless one day series against India for instance (as is currently taking place) or SEVEN one day matches against England at the end of a three month Tour is really pushing the friendship.
Even the most ardent of cricket fans must agree that it cheapens the experience and lessens the importance of the bigger matches and tournaments when upwards of 25 guys play for Australia each year and what seems like every month our side is playing in a one day series somewhere around the globe.
The reason is obviously revenue delivered by ticket sales and more still, by TV rights, especially in India. I get that.
But should we be playing games that, despite the fact we all want Australia to win, we couldnt really give a rats if they don't?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
LOVETT'S NEW EYES PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE
When the action gets underway in the Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge at Sydney’s Curl Curl beach this Friday all those entered will be happy to be out of the office, in the water and doing what they love most – surfing.
Happiest of all will no doubt be former world top ten surfer Richie Lovett - not because Lovett doesn’t enjoy working but because he is able to compete at all.
When the affable northern beaches local paddles out to surf for his team, accessory company FCS, he will be in a competition singlet for the first time since his life was changed forever in December 2005.
That was when he was diagnosed with Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma in his right leg, a malignant type of cancer that if left untreated would prove to be fatal. Several operations and months and months of specialist treatment in the USA followed before Lovett could even return home.
From that point on surfing as he knew it, and his ten year career at the sport’s highest level, was over. But the sport has remained in his blood and just as he had to learn to walk properly again with the almost foot long prosthesis in place of the top half of his femur, Lovett learned to surf again.
“There was a time when the doctors said I’d never surf again,” Lovett recalls.
“Athletically, I know I’ll never be able to compete professionally again but the Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge is about getting out there with my mates and putting in.
“As tough as the past four years have been, it’s great because I now see the world through new eyes.”
Puts things in perspective a little bit doesn't it!
Happiest of all will no doubt be former world top ten surfer Richie Lovett - not because Lovett doesn’t enjoy working but because he is able to compete at all.
When the affable northern beaches local paddles out to surf for his team, accessory company FCS, he will be in a competition singlet for the first time since his life was changed forever in December 2005.
That was when he was diagnosed with Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma in his right leg, a malignant type of cancer that if left untreated would prove to be fatal. Several operations and months and months of specialist treatment in the USA followed before Lovett could even return home.
From that point on surfing as he knew it, and his ten year career at the sport’s highest level, was over. But the sport has remained in his blood and just as he had to learn to walk properly again with the almost foot long prosthesis in place of the top half of his femur, Lovett learned to surf again.
“There was a time when the doctors said I’d never surf again,” Lovett recalls.
“Athletically, I know I’ll never be able to compete professionally again but the Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge is about getting out there with my mates and putting in.
“As tough as the past four years have been, it’s great because I now see the world through new eyes.”
Puts things in perspective a little bit doesn't it!
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