This IS Martin Jay

Martin Jay is probably best known as a radio presenter, but what some people fail to appreciate is that he is a bonafide sports fan. Martin is well versed on a number of sports teams from QPR to the Windies - as a matter of fact, it was Martin that decided that the best response to England’s Barmy Army was none other than Big Pappy’s Liming Brigade. The Liming Brigade gave Windies supporters a unit to associate with when travelling around the country to watch the boys play.

Over the years Martin has met many a cultural influencer and has become a bit of an influencer himself. So when Martin’s time at the Choice FM’s Breakfast Show came to an end, he grabbed the opportunity to launch his latest project – thisismartinjay.com

Thisismartinjay.com combines his knowledge of and passion for music, sports and the Caribbean and he’s kicked off my favourite segment with an interview with Tasha Danvers. Whilst it may not be what you’re used to from Martin Jay, it certainly won’t disappoint. Bookmark this site and stay tuned for more interviews with local movers and shakers.

‘I’m looking forward to showcasing sports persons like Jade Johnson, Scottie Newman,  Jermaine McGlashan – athletes who I feel deserve a little more recognition for their hard work’.

You can follow Martin Jay on Twitter @Martinjay

Is It So Terry-ble?

The Race Row – uurrrgh. The issue of racism - or any ‘ism’ – is a serious one. Whether on the pitch, in the boardroom or on a night bus - it is simply unacceptable. The problem with ‘isms’ is that there is really weird, wriggly line that separates intended hatred from ignorance. Race at its simplest is a characteristic, much as height, weight or hair colour is. Unfortunately, race is a characteristic that has caused many people worldwide and through the ages to be subjected to discrimination and persecution.

The trouble with verbal irresponsibility is that regardless of whether or not the words come from a place of hatred, they inevitably rip scabs off of centuries-old wounds.

I can only comment on what has been printed in the papers because I wasn’t on the pitch and did not hear the utterance for myself. The inability to comment on the facts is what has led me to take an objective viewpoint on this situation.

In my opinion, intention and interpretation are what ultimately define ignorance, prejudice and racism. When Michael Richards seemingly lost the plot and released a torrent of racially insensitive rhetoric during one of his acts, there was little question about his intent and even less room for misinterpretation. Mel Gibson’s lapses aren’t even worth analysing.

So when I review the allegations relating to the current race row, I see ignorance – not racism. The comment in question involved the combination of an adjective and a naughty noun. The noun is arguably the more offensive of the two words, the adjective raises eyebrows, but the combination of the two words seems to be the catalyst of the most recent race row.

The other issue at hand is that the individual in question is one whose role as England captain holds a level of symbolism. I’m sure the captain in question was selected for this role because of his ability to lead the team whilst on the pitch… I highly doubt he was chosen to act as a representative of British sentiment.

Whatever the outcome of this particular incident, it Is clear that the issue of race, sports and public reaction is obviously not going anywhere in a hurry as is evidenced by recent stories concerning Ameobi and Tiger Woods.

However, based on my first comment about race being no more than a characteristic, I can’t help but ask – had the offensive phrase in question included the term ‘blonde c***’, would the public reaction have been so explosive?

Black List Awards 2011 - In short

Chris Powell
Charlton Athletic Manager

Due to recent allegations of racism on the pitch, the timing of the 2011 Black List Awards can only be described as uncanny. Regardless of what the FA investigation uncovers, the allegations introduced a new level of purpose and relevance to the awards.

Thankfully, in 2008 co-founders Leon Mann and Rodney Hinds understood the need to recognise members of the community who contribute not only to the game, but to the diversity of an association. By speaking with their actions and not merely their words, they have created a platform whereby guests can be educated and nominees can be celebrated.

Well done to the nominees and founders – I look forward to attending next year.

See Natasha Henry’s review of the Black List Awards here

Fighting Fire With Fire

The current West Indies squad have had to deal with a barrage of criticism from supporters and pundits because they do not perform like their predecessors, but after watching Fire in Babylon, I realise that it is wrong to even draw a comparison.

Fire in Babylon is an insightful and entertaining documentary about the infamous West Indies cricket team. A team so dominant Fox Sports described the 1979 squad as one of the top ten most intimidating teams in the world.

Using a combination of old footage and transparent accounts from many of the legends and cultural figureheads from the region the film paints a clear picture of the challenges those lads faced. Cricket in the 70’s and the 80’s between the West Indies and their opponents was personal - slave against master, former colony against colonizer, former colony against the convicts of the colonizer.

After seeing the film I finally understood why my father would make a beeline for the nearest telly or radio when the Windies had a key match: for the duration of the test match he could live vicariously through the fast bowlers. Having had to deal with discrimination on a daily basis, the sight of wickets - and sometimes batsmen - falling had to have been gratifying for many West Indians during that time.

If you claim to be a West Indies cricket supporter and you haven’t seen Fire in Babylon yet, it's definitely somthing that should go on your to-do list.

Why Child's Play Courts Controversy

Last week’s headline grabbing story about cage fighting children was sensational enough to earn a slot on a certain station’s breakfast show two days in a row.

The general sentiment from the media was:

‘Children forced to cage fight in front of a hostile crowd’

But this wasn’t necessarily the case. If headlines had actually been accurate they would have read:

‘Two young MMA fighters grapple in a controlled competition’

and the story would have hit the cutting room floor. The omission of kicks and punches from the competition indicate that the children’s safety was taken into account. Furthermore, the police are not pressing charges.

So why did this particular story make headlines? Because as a society lot of our decisions regarding what is right and wrong are based upon a feeling. The images of two boys grappling in a ring in front of an excitable crowd would have struck a nerve in most. However, when you step away from your emotions and look at the situation objectively – this was nothing more than a controlled competition between two young athletes.

No different from what happens on football pitches around the world on a Sunday morning. It is part and parcel of the realm we refer to as the sports world.

I don’t actually know who won the fight, but I do know that competing in front of an audience is an important part of an athlete’s development and the level of attention that this fight has attracted has put these fighters miles ahead of their peers in many respects.

2011 Black List Awards

The 4^th annual Black List Awards is set to take place on the 26^th October.

Supported by the Football Association, Professional Footballers’ Association, Kick It Out and the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS), the Black List Awards recognises the contribution of the black community for achievements across all levels of football – on the pitch, on the sideline and within the community.

Founded in 2008 by journalist Leon Mann and Voice sports editor Rodney Hinds, this is arguably its most important year due to the recent riots which exposed a clear need for role models from within the community.

Previous awards ceremonies have attracted the likes of Chris Houghton, Jason Roberts, Aaron Mokoena and Hope Powell to name a few.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Community, Media, Administration, Commercial or Coaching & Management Award, please e-mail rodney.hinds@gvmedia.co.uk

Show Me the Legacy

Courtesy of shadphotos

You may have to dodge the odd teddy as I blog from my cot when it comes to the topic of London 2012 Olympic tickets.

From what I understand, the purpose of creating this random allocation system was to ensure that tickets for the games were distributed as fairly as possible. In other words, let a computer do the dirty work so that no one has to feel responsible for the inevitable disappointment associated with missing out on the highly sought after tickets.

There were two people from my Twitter community who made me look at this lottery situation with a little more scrutiny. One Twitterer complained that he 'got stuck' with handball tickets and didn’t know what to do with them. I can’t see the ‘fairness’ for the genuine handball fan that didn’t have luck on his side when he or she applied for handball tickets.

Another Twitterer highlighted the irony of the fact that he supports GB volleyball to the fullest and has travelled lengthy distances in order to support the squad, but was also on the wrong side of Lady Luck when applying for his tickets.

A computer generated system can only provide randomness – not necessarily fairness. I suppose that no matter what solution the organisers tried to implement, they would have been under fire. However, had they had taken steps to ensure that those who have been contributing to minority sports in this country long before ‘London’ and ‘the Olympic games’ were even a consideration, ‘legacy’ would be  a reality – not a concept.

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest... does anyone have any tickets that they selfishly applied for and don’t want? I’m in the market for volleyball, beach volleyball, handball, or basketball tickets.

J

Wasted Talent

Police car ablaze at Woolwich Arsenal

Sport is one of the most successful ways of preventing crime. This claim was made by the RFU last week (and by myself whenever I get an opportunity.)

I observed some of the images from the London riots with a degree of amazement due to the underlying irony of the situation - watching the riots unfold was like watching a massive pool of wasted sporting talent run amok in the streets.

The looters that were running away from police and their dogs could have been sprinters. The rioters that were pelting cones at shop windows could have been discus throwers and shot putters. The troublemakers who were pushing huge waste bins towards the police could have been rugby players. The ring leaders who were organising the mayhem could have been football managers. Instead of performing on an international or professional level, they are scampering through the streets reaching in search of material spoils – not personal success.

How many of those young people would have actually been participating in such destructive activity had they been involved in competitive, organised sports?

I’m not saying that all young athletes are angel faced citizens who never get up to mischief.... but I highly doubt there were many serious or semi-serious athletes involved in the London riots.

I’m constantly harping on about the need for more sport programmes for young men and women to be involved in. Programmes with longevity that inspire youngsters to reach the upper echelon of their chosen discipline – not badly funded programmes that leave them out of pocket and deflated.

Maybe sports aren’t the magic tonic that heals all of society’s wounds, but it certainly can’t hurt to test it and see.

Sweet FA for Budweiser

What went through your mind when you found out that Budweiser is the new sponsor of the FA? It seemed like such a far-fetched concept to me that I double checked to make sure it was not a delayed April Fool’s joke. For others, it was no big deal.

I understand that it is a pivotal move that will challenge the beer’s American image but what impact will it have on the FA’s image?

Budweiser is the undisputed premier brand partner for mainstream American sports – the Superbowl would simply not be the same without the presence of the iconic Budweiser commercials (or advertisements depending on where you live). Is Budweiser representative of leadership – yes. Is Budweiser well matched to real football – the jury is still out. In fairness to Budweiser, they have been the official beer of the FIFA World Cup for the last 25 years, so maybe their sponsorship of the FA is nothing more than a natural progression.

Whilst decision makers at the helm may argue that the move can only benefit the sport, I struggle to see how this (mis)match can ever be a benefit. Kudos to Budweiser for pulling this off but on a deeper more emotional level, I can’t help but wonder if the symbolism of this partnership will overshadow the fiscal benefits to the FA.

I’m keen to hear thoughts and opinions on this from both sides of the pond.

Not Quite David and Goliath

The feud between Haye and Klitschko has been playing out like a testosterone fuelled bitch fight over the years. Provocative press conferences, snide tweets and tasteless screen printed apparel. It’s been so long, drawn out and petty that at one stage I believed that that the battle between David and Goliath was one that would never be adapted for television.

Yet on the 2nd of July in Hamburg the pair finally had the chance to settle the score in the ring. The fight didn’t end as poetically as the Bible story, nor did it share exact parallels. Yes, Klitschko is taller than Haye but unlike the David of the Old Testament, Haye didn’t approach his battle with a few humble stones and a slingshot. Haye peppered his opponent with verbal stones in the lead up to fight, but as the battle commenced, it was clear that Goliath had no intention of falling easily.

The fight ended in victory for Klitschko, but both men were standing at the final bell – neither able to deliver on their promises.

I’m secretly hoping for a rematch when Haye’s toe is fully functional. With less propaganda and proper brawn I think we’ll get a clearer picture of who the real legend is.



Pride Comes Before a Ban

They say that pride comes before a fall, but in Kolo Touré's case – his vanity led him to a 6 month ban by the FA.

Mainstream press have reported that Touré was taking a banned diuretic in a bid to combat a gut that he felt he had. When I first read the reports I turned the page and then returned to story a few minutes later to ensure that my own imagination hadn’t conjured the story. After flicking through a few images of Touré on the internet I could only surmise that his pudgy tummy was a mere figment of his imagination – or something he masks well when out in public. Either way, it was a little surprising to hear that someone who seemingly has the world at his feet could be temporarily brought down by insecurity.

Touré isn’t the only athlete whose apparent body dysmorphia had a profound impact on his career.

LaShawn Merritt has probably resigned himself to the fact that he will be the butt of endless jokes regarding his doping faux pas. When Merritt tested positive for DHEA, he attributed the banned substance to a male enhancement product he was taking. Fortunately (or unfortunately) there are no public images for me to review for the purpose of research, but I somehow doubt he needed to jeopardise his career in order to correct his perceived shortcoming. (Yes, the pun was intended)

It just goes to show that no amount of success, fame or money can appease the funhouse mirror vision your own eyes can view your image with – which in itself is a relief and a disappointment.

Both fans and athletes alike sometimes forget that athletes are not superheroes. They are mere mortals who struggle with the same issues that we do – except they have a much further fall from grace when they make a dodgy decision.

Whether motivated by vanity or a competitive nature - pride always comes before a ban.

Too Much Too Soon?

The wall in Hillaby, Barbados which bears Brathwaite's image

On 20th August, 2009, Ryan Brathwaite of little known Hillaby, St Andrew, Barbados thrust Barbados into the sporting spotlight when he took gold at the IAAF World Championships in the 110m hurdles.

Bajans all over the world were proud to add his name to the list of other Bajans who have reminded the rest of the world that despite its size, the Antillean isle produces superstars such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Obadele Thompson and Rihanna.

However, after Ryan’s mediocre performance at the recent Golden Spike meet, it was clear that the difference between Ryan and the afore mentioned Bajan superstars is that the excellence they have achieved in their respective fields is consistent and credible.

Yes, I said credible. You see, what many refused to acknowledge is that Ryan achieved his goal in a competition that was void of competition. Although Ryan ran an impressive 13.89, neither China’s neither Liu Xian (PB 12.88) nor Cuba’s Dayron Robles (PB 12.89) were on the starting line that day. Had the usual suspects been in attendance that day, Ryan might have brought home a bronze medal.

I’m not trying to detract from Ryan’s achievement; to the contrary, I am querying whether or not Barbados’ reaction to Ryan’s medal was premature. After all, at the tender of age of 21 with just one gold medal under his belt Ryan was showered with material possessions, appointed as an ambassador and even had a wall in St Andrew, transformed with his image.

How is an athlete meant to strive for more when they are not appropriately incentivised throughout their development? Especially when there are younger, hungrier athletes devoting every spare moment to personal excellence.

I’m normally in favour of athletes from developing countries being handsomely rewarded for their achievements, but in this situation I can’t help but wonder if the level of recognition was inappropriate for not only the athlete but the achievement. Rebuttals are welcomed.

Jump Out Yuh Bamsie

‘Jump out yuh bamsie’. Not a phrase you hear every day but one that Mark Daly was renowned for using when he needed you to make the seemingly impossible possible.

I’d like to assume that most of the international volleyball fraternity knows who Mark Daly was and why he was so loved, but for those who don’t know, Mark Daly was the Trinidad and Tobago men’s national team captain who dutifully represented his country for 12 years before his untimely death in 2009. More than an athlete, he was a loving father to his daughter Kai, devoted fiance to girlfriend Kecia, beloved son and brother, dedicated coach, dependable friend, model citizen and all round inspirational individual.

If the people he left behind are even a glimmer of a reflection of the kind of person he was, there is no doubt that Trinidad has truly lost a gem.

During the 2nd annual tournament held in his honour, his former teammates are like worker bees – ensuring that everyone has their kit, helping out in the kitchen, keeping an eye out for the children at the tournament and refereeing each other’s games. ‘That’s how Mark was,’ explains T&T women’s national team captain Kelly-Anne Billingy. ‘Mark was so dedicated to this sport and was always happy to help. He never complained, never said a bad word. We really wanted to make sure that there we could establish some sort of event that would honour his contribution and keep his memory alive.’

A number of the national players attribute their involvement and dedication to Daly’s influence. Spending a day juggling coaching, mentoring and playing was apparently typical for the former national captain. Senior team members tell me he was always happy to take time out if you needed his ear – and instead of influencing a decision he would simply act as a sounding board and ensure you understood the options available and the potential ramifications associated with each.

As an athlete he was a force to be reckoned with and played with an intensity that defied his off-court persona. Never satisfied with being ordinary, he was always up to date with the latest developments in volleyball. He was a naturally talented athlete with a strong serve, strong block and the ability to frustrate the block with his foresight and consistency as an outside hitter.

When I asked Kelly if she remembered where she was when she learned of Mark’s death – her eyes couldn’t hide the pain that accompanies the memory. She remembered the date, the time of the morning, who she was sitting next to – everything. As was the case with Hollis Charles, Aisha Sealy-Morrison and Sean-Miguel Morrison.

Hollis tells me of Mark’s signature smile and cool-as-a-cucumber temperament. Aisha recalls how his eyes seemed to be able to see straight into your heart and Sean knows so much about Mark that he is probably qualified to write an autobiography.

‘For some reason, in every game he managed to jump serve either behind the antenna or hit the referee stand,’ recalls Morrison. ‘That was the only time you could get a chuckle from him on court. Apart from that, he had venom in his eyes as soon the whistle blew. Who he was on court was different from who he was off-court, though. When he wasn’t actually playing volleyball he was always willing to help out both a friend and stranger in need’.

Whether he was a mere mortal or truly an angel, Daly has definitely left a mark on all who have come into contact with him. His impact is felt at the annual tournament which despite being highly competitive, is buzzing with a type of love and respect that can only be observed – not described. Though I’ve not had the privilege of meeting him personally, I can’t help but feel that by participating in this tournament, I now have an obligation to ‘jump out meh bamsie’ and strive for excellence not just as an athlete, but as a person and I suspect that I am not the only one who senses this call of duty.

The Law of Tenacity

Remember my blogpost on my 2010 NABBA entry? Take a look at it. See the fatty on the right. That was me. My performance was so shoddy I think they gave me a medal out of pity. I know, I know – ‘fatty’ is kinda harsh but it’s relative. Although the body I presented last year earned me no end of catcalls in Woolwich and surrounding areas, I simply was not up to scratch in the bodybuilding arena and I am honest enough with myself to admit it.

Unfortunately, I’m allergic to failure and that particular loss burned me to the core. So with the help of Barbados’ finest I plotted and planned my attack for the 2011 NABBA South East show.

I maintained a set point throughout the winter and when I was 11 weeks out – I attacked my contest prep,  declined lunch/dinner invitations, prepped and carried my own food to social functions and tried to keep my mind focused on the goal so as to drown out the noise of the naysayers.

Challenges

What I hadn’t planned for was a complete upheaval of my schedule as I knew it. I went from being based in an office from 9 to 6 to being on the road and not knowing where my job would send me from one day to the next. No biggie you say? Wrong! Not knowing where I would be  at my 3 hourly feeding intervals was a little challenging re meal prep. Furthermore, little comforts like a clean restroom went from being a given to a welcome sight. As a Type ‘A’ personality the lack of stability and control meant a battle with cortisol. Any bodybuilder or fitness head worth their salt will know that cortisol is definitely not your friend. With a physique that has always struggled to develop abs, the new stressors were definitely not welcome. Then came the ultimate spanner: an impromptu trip to the states 3 weeks out from comp. It was a trip I definitely couldn’t get out of and it could not have come at a worse time.

Whilst America is a great place to be if you are eating clean – the 8 hour journey each way filled me with dread. I wasn’t even sure if to eat every 3 hours on local time or hometown time – but I managed to get over that hurdle as well.

Then 1 week out I realised that my Aunt Flo was planning a visit. I remember thinking to myself – ‘Are you kidding?’ I’ve dieted well, trained hard, become a hermit and remained focused and I just can’t get the spanners to STOP!’ As the comp date got nearer I looked more and more bloated. The more bloated I looked the more unhappy I became and the more actively I had to battle the feelings of doubt that wanted to overcome me.

Secret Weapon

So I did what any self-respecting diva would do. I cranked up my swag. I went to see Paulette Sybliss to make sure my posing was on lock. Then I upped my water intake, made sure my routine was down pat and retwisted my locs. Two days before comp, swag (and water) were upped another notch and the night before the show I had stopped drinking water and was just tanning and chilling. At this stage you couldn’t convince me that I wasn’t the baddest b*tch my side of the Thames – despite my Aunt Flo eventually making her debut.

Showtime

When I got to the show I was over the moon to find out that I was first on stage. Bloating was still an issue so I upped the swag a little more, popped my nose in the air and got on with the final part of my prep – glazing and pumping.

I knew I was in with a shot when the backstage manager didn’t recognise me from last year. As a matter of fact, he was so shocked when he realised I was the teletubby from the year before that he did a double take – twice. My nose was so high in the air at this stage that I have no clue how I was able to see in front of me!

To say I was over the moon when my name was called out as the winner is an understatement. Random muscles were cramping from dehydration and I was tired from posing but the victory made it all worth it. 

What’s next? I’m not sure. What I do know is that I have tested the law of tenacity and can endorse it. If you want something badly enough, there isn’t a whole lot that can stop you from achieving it.

Trainer: Corey Springer

Nutritionist: Corey Springer

Posing Coach: Paulette Sybliss

Tan: Jan Tana

Costume: Chrissie’s Cozzies

Routine Music: 'Pass Out' -Tinie Tempah

Handball: The Other Rugby

Women's GB team celebrate after victory over Slovakia

When I read about Lynn McCafferty’s commitment to handball a few months ago in the Evening Standard I instantly had respect for her dedication to the sport. After meeting her and playing alongside her... I felt honoured.

I had the opportunity to play handball alongside Britain’s elite for two days and get a sneak peek into the lives of the women who have been quietly chipping away at the challenges that have accompanied their decision to represent GB next year in this discipline.

The entire initiation to this sport was a complete shock to the system – after all, the sports I’ve participated in are volleyball, basketball, athletics and cheerleading (don’t laugh). None of the above are as tactile or sticky as handball is.

The fundamental actions of handball are similar to some sporst, but it is definitely a unique game. It’s a little like basketball, except there are two more players on the court and contact is encouraged. It also requires some fundamentals of volleyball like explosivity, but the swinging action is high and not across the body. In fact, after being charged into by a defender, Iconcluded that handball is basically rugby on a wooden floor! Handball is definitely a contact sport, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a little addictive.

My fascination with the sport continued off court when I had the chance to hear the journeys of players like Jukesy, Fudge, Holly, Heidi, Mahony and Laura.

The Olympic funding pot took a big hit when the economy was flipped on its back a few years ago which left quite a few elite athletes with the unfortunate task of juggling the responsibility of sports performance and day-to-day maintenance. Each of these ladies has had to make major sacrifices in order to contribute to the development of this sport in the UK. The more stories I heard, the more I wondered if the spectators at next year’s games would ever fully appreciate what a lot of GB athletes have invested and forgone in order to ensure that they represent their country with nothing less than their A-game. If these women didn’t love the sport, they would have plenty to gripe about, but you only need to spend 15 minutes with the squad to confirm that their involvement is fuelled from a genuine love of the game and passion for excellence.

Despite having had the floor wiped with me, I left that session with sore hip flexors, tight hamstrings and a new found respect for the ladies of the GB handball team.

www.britishhandball.com

www.twitter.com/britishhandball

www.facebook.com/britishhandball

Is Doping for Dummies?

Photo credit  lwtclearningcommons

The other day I was happily working through my leg work out on the leg press when I felt a shadow over me. I looked up to find that the shadow belonged to a fellow fitness enthusiast who happens to sell supplements. I figured he wanted to let me know about new products he had in stock and to an extent I was right. Except that day he wasn’t pushing protein bars or fat burners, he was excited about a Human Growth Hormone he had discovered.

With three sets left on the leg press, I didn’t really have anywhere to go, so I let him babble. According to this guy, this new ‘supplement’ would melt the fat from my abs and be invisible to drug tests. What I found particularly interesting was the enthusiasm with which he endorsed this wonder drug. He was gesticulating, his eyes were expressive and he spoke with fervour. If I’d closed my eyes it would have sounded like a cheesy American infomercial. But it wasn’t.

When he was done pitching and I’d finished my sets, I realised that after only 5 minutes of the hard sell I felt somewhat browbeaten and I immediately felt sympathy for some of the elite athletes who had fallen into the trap.

To put things into perspective, some athletes are coached for so long that they spend as much time with their coaching staff as they do with their family. Surely the pressure of carrying a nation’s hope for athletic glory combined with advice from trusted coaching staff can leave an athlete in a state of discombobulation.

What is really annoying is that coaches are never fully held to account for abusing the trust of these athletes – there always seems to be a level of plausible deniability. Even more painful is the fact that most of these athletes devote their entire life to their sport, so a fall from grace leaves them with literally nowhere to turn.

I am not trying to condone the use of illegal drugs; I am merely trying to explore how easy it could be for someone to succumb to the temptation.

What are your thoughts?

Better Late Than Never

To her teammates she was a dependable forward but to a number of female high school and college athletes, Mia Hamm represented possibilities. She was iconic because the media respected her for being able to put the ball in the back of the net. She was iconic because in 2004 she was one of two women who made the FIFA 100 list. She was iconic because she proved that female athletes of all disciplines CAN earn a living doing what you love.

The UK doesn’t have their answer to Mia Hamm (yet), but we finally have the platform by which we can nurture our own football heroine. The FA WSL is a re-branded, professional women’s league that has been created in an effort to expose the sport to a broader audience. The new league features 8 teams and introduces weekly televised highlights and cash bursaries.

The naysayers will have their views, but to the 180,000 women who are deciding whether or not they should play football this year, this development could be just the nudge they need to take the plunge.

http://twitter.com/FAWSL

The Plight of the UK Volleyball Playoffs

Courtesy of Jon McGugan

The final weekend of the playoffs will take place at the National Volleyball Centre tomorrow. Earlier this week I was Twittering with the ever talented Peter Bakare when he cracked me up with this question about the playoffs: 'Good crowds going to watch?'

He genuinely couldn’t understand what had me so tickled, which is fair enough considering the fact that he plays volleyball in a country where the playoffs attract hundreds of spectators.

Despite the establishment of a National Volleyball Centre in England, a revamp of the brand and PR activity - trying to convince Britain that there are sports outside of the trinity (football, cricket, rugby) has been an uphill battle for volleyball patrons.

Spectators are an obvious indication of a sports popularity, and the um, healthy attendance at this season’s playoffs show that we have a lot more work to do.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you have pre-registered for Olympic volleyball tickets?

Pandora's Closet

Gareth Thomas, Anton Hysen and Steven Davies

Anton Hysen’s recent revelation that he was gay appears to have been quite positively received. Especially when you consider that he is only the second European footballer to be so bold as to publicly ‘come out.’  

On the one hand I applaud his bravery, but on the other hand, I’m left perplexed as to why in this day and age his announcement should require bravery.

In 2005, it was estimated that six percent of the British population was gay. Imagine those figures applied to the Premier League... it would mean that there could potentially be at least one gay footballer on each Premier League team! 

There really isn’t much substance to my figures, but I would still happily wager a guess that there are at least a handful of football players who can identify with Hysen yet prefer not to rock the boat. But why?

Unfortunately that innocent question ‘why’ is the catalyst that kicks open Pandora’s Closet Door. Why should an athlete have to disclose their sexuality? Why should they keep it quiet? Why do we take so much interest in what happens behind the closed doors of these athletes? More to the point – why should any of this matter?

The only thing Hysen’s announcement has established for me is that in a day and age where women wear trousers, swearing is no longer taboo and a black man is managing the United States of America there is still a stigma attached to athletes and homosexuality. Go figure.

In order for stigmas and taboos to be broken, they have to be boldly challenged. Hysen’s done it in football, Steven Davies in cricket, Gareth Thomas in rugby – who’s next?

Michelle Brannan

When you hear the word ‘bikini’ what comes to mind? Most people think of beaches and holidays, but for a select few, ‘Bikini’ is a recognised category in bodybuilding competitions.


This latest addition to the world of bodybuilding competitions is for toned women who want to show off their physique without the extremity of the ‘Figure’ category. Competitors should display a toned physique with symmetrical upper and lower body development. Physique should be lean without excessive body fat, but should not display significant muscle size, separation or striation. Abdominal definition is acceptable but a ripped "six pack" is not ideal.

Despite the fact that the bikini ‘look’ is lean with little muscular development, competitors in this category still have to be very disciplined in their approach to their diet and their training. Furthermore, unlike most sports where the outcome of the competition is down to the performance, bodybuilding is different because the outcome of the competition is down to the 12 weeks of sculpting that takes place prior to competition day.

One person who can vouch for the hard work that goes with this category is Michelle Brannan. Michelle only started competing in 2010 and but has already stamped her name on the category by winning the FAME and UKBFF Mr Hercules show and placing 2nd in the 2010 Fitness Britain. She has started her 2011 season with a bang by winning the Ms Bikini IFBB Amateur International Cup last weekend.

Don’t let the pretty face fool ya – Michelle is not afraid of weights. Her favourite exercises are lunges, leg presses and Romanian deadlifts. She always does 5 sets of 10 for her legs and she’s more than happy to leg press about 120-130kilos.

‘I love competing’, said Brannan, ‘I like to see the results of my hard work, I am very competitive and I enjoy the buzz of being on stage and making the best of myself. Its hard work but it gives me a goal and its fun.’

The jury is still out on whether or not this category should be taken seriously or not, but judging by the amount of hard work that Michelle puts into her training, I’d say that 'Bikini' is not for the faint hearted.

To find out more about Michelle and her upcoming shows, visit her web page: http://www.michellebrannan.com/

There's Only One England Captain, Right?

I’ve made a conscious effort to avoid the news recently due to the worldwide destruction dominating the headlines. Despite this effort, the name ‘John Terry’ and the words ‘England captain’ have made their way onto my radar. If you take the current situation at face value, it should be simple really - manager appoints a captain, team accepts decision. However straightforward this decision should be, the relationship between the armband and its wearer is a unique one. 

For the life of me I’ve never understood the press’ preoccupation with the England squad or its captain so I decided to broach the subject with a group of seasoned football fans at the pub before the Chelsea v Kobenhavn match.

According to the lads, the role of England captain gained reverential status because of a certain golden haired skipper by the name of Bobby Moore who guided England to victory in the ‘66 World Cup. Apparently, there was something about the image of Moore wearing the red England kit and holding the cup victoriously that touched a nerve in the England fan and caused them to immortalise the skipper role. The role of the England skipper is held in such high regard that it could be argued that no other national team captain is revered as highly or under as much scrutiny.

No pressure, eh?

Judging by the number of fans at Stamford Bridge singing ‘There’s only one England captain’, it seems like England fans want more football and less politics. If a players suitability for the skipper role is measured with a morality stick… good luck naming one in time for Saturday.

I can’t tell you who should captain the squad, but what I do know is that this is yet another inappropriately timed debate that if not settled quickly,  will only serve to distract and hinder the squad – again.

Do As I Say But Not As I Do

‘Respect is the collective responsibility of everyone involved in football to create a fair, safe and enjoyable environment in which the game can take place.’ – FA.com

Seems as though a handful of managers missed that bulletin!

The RESPECT campaign was launched in 2008 to protect referees from abusive players and seems to have had the desired effect - with the players. Managers, on the other hand, appear to be exempt from this initiative.

Over the last few weeks there have been instances of petulance where management and the ‘beautiful game’ are concerned. In reality only two incidents made the headlines, but in a sport where players are constantly being raked over the coals for unsportsmanlike behaviour, it was a surprise to see management openly succumbing to their emotions.

If I had an opportunity to interview Mark Hughes I’d be compelled to ask: when your players feel that they are being disrespected on the pitch by the opposition, are you ok with them acting out?

Perception is reality. So regardless of what Mancini did or may have done or was to perceived to have done to Hughes – Hughes is the one who appears to condone childish behaviour.

Hughes’ pelted teddy was nothing compared to the incident that ended the Celtic v Rangers match. Historically, a highly charged fixture, this particular match was a train wreck of sorts: athletes were on edge, cards were being handed out like M&Ms at Halloween and the fans were ready for action. The exchange between Lennon and McCoist did absolutely nothing to calm an already precarious situation. Could they not have handled their beef in the tunnel, at the pub or in a boxing ring?

No one is without fault where heated reactions are concerned. Read the New Testament and you’ll see that even Jesus threw a wobbler once. However, as a society we have created a hierarchy which demands that different levels of responsibility and accountability are attributed to certain individuals the higher up they rise.

Numerous athletes have received hefty fines for questionable behaviour and they are the sheep – not the shepherd. How can we expect sportsmen to 'rise above it', when their managers can't?

With this in mind – should the RESPECT campaign extend to managers? Or should we just leave managers to their own devices?

For Country or Culture?

Femi Ogunode - Nigerian born sprinter

 There are some sporting events that are simply too good to pass up an opportunity to participate in. One of them is the World Cup, the other is the Olympics. Over the years there has been a growing trend in athletes opting to represent nations that reflect their heritage as opposed to their birthplace. Whilst perfectly understandable due to the eclectic nature of many Western countries, fans and spectators tend to display a strong sense of national pride and yearn for athletes who share their nationalism.

Many Jamaicans will remember 400m champion sprinter Marilyn Neufville. Neufville was born in Jamaica but emigrated to the UK at a young age where she went on to develop into an elite athlete. Despite having represented Great Britain in 1970 at the European Indoor Championships in Vienna – where she won gold - she made the decision to represent her home country of Jamaica just months later. This decision confused and angered the British public who felt that England nurtured her talent and helped her find international success – not Jamaica.

Fast forward three decades to the 2006 World Cup when the Trinidad and Tobago football team earned a spot on the world stage. The media however seemed to take a greater interest in one of TT’s Midfielders, Chris ‘Me Mum’ Birchall – than the fact that this was TT’s first inclusion in the tournament. Birchall was not your typical Trini... he was born in England and played for English teams throughout his entire sporting career, however, when the opportunity to represent the Twin Isles via his mother came knocking, he didn’t look back.

There are so many factors to take into consideration where this discussion on national eligibility is concerned. In some cases, athletes are simply not good enough to make the team of the country they most naturally represent. In other cases, the athlete’s standard may be higher than that of what his country can accommodate for. Yet still in other cases, money may be the driving factor. To this day Neufville’s reasons for changing teams are unknown.

Where Great Britain may felt slighted by Neufville, they have more than made up for her with NBA superstar Luol Deng and track and field champion Mo Farah. Scratch the surface oftheir biographies and you'll find that neither of these sports stars are ‘English’, however, they are championed as the country’s poster boys of their respective sports due to their excellence and professionalism on and off the court and track respectively.

Admittedly I am being a little provocative, but that is only because I genuinely want to know what others think of this trend. Should Merlene have stayed with Jamaica? Did the Windies need Nash? Should Cole be considering his options on the Bajan National team? (Is there a Bajan National Team?) How many times have we switched on the telly to watch a track meet only to see a strapping Mandingo warming up in the lane that has been assigned to Qatar? Is this acceptable or does it really not matter?

As always, I welcome your views.