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BOOK REVIEW - The Greatest:The Quest for Sporting Perfection by Matthew Syed

Posted Tuesday, 19 September 2017

This book is an easy-to-read collection of articles, all of which have previously been published in “The Times” over the previous ten or so years. Their loose connection is that they summarise a range of factors which characterise high performance in various sports. The articles are collected into five categories,...

Has School Sport Become too Extreme?

Posted Tuesday, 19 September 2017

The last twenty years has seen an astronomical increase in the standard of the top level of school sport in UK. The increased allocation of resources – time, facilities, specialist coaching, levels of competition – has developed out of all recognition. Top level performance, and victory in an ever increasing...

“They Have Been Telling us the Answer for Years: ‘Please Sir, Can We Have a Game?’”

Posted Monday, 18 September 2017

The industry of sport coaching is a recently evolved one. Before the 1970s, few teams had anything that could be described as a coach. Other than to transport them to the game. Indeed, many would have been offended by the implication of the concept. Perhaps more shocking, cones had not...

Confusing the Purpose of Independent School Sport

Posted Tuesday, 12 September 2017

In most subjects, there is no disconnect between the educational and business purpose of an independent school. Good exam results are good for business. Full stop. This might lead to accusations of teaching to the test, in “exam factories”, but parents and schools find rare and easy agreement here. Good...

If it's under W for Won, does anyone ask you how?

Posted Thursday, 31 August 2017

The purpose of sport is to try to win. Right? Therefore, if you win, all criteria have been fulfilled. Right? Well, not quite. Some winning is better than others. During the Cold War, Soviet bloc athletes won often. Unsmiling and efficient. The product of a regime that left nothing to...

What can you Guarantee?

Posted Thursday, 24 August 2017

It's the start of a new term. A new calendar of fixtures stretches ahead, and excitement surrounding the possibilities created by new seasons of football, hockey and netball. Various trophies await new winners, and life defining moments lie ahead for a fortunate few. For most, another programme of practices, matches,...