One of the aspects of sport that gets very little attention either in the popular media or, for that matter, in animated sporty discussions around the local bar is spirituality. Few punters give any regard at all to whether the Cowboys have maintained a commitment to daily prayerfulness, whether Gary Ablett is on a path to ascending to a higher plane or whether the Matildas … [Read more...]
Charles Darwin and walking – the unique value of exercise-induced reverie in the life of a scholar and thinker
Excerpt from "How to think about exercise" by Damon Young Charles Darwin. The world's greatest naturalist. Collector of barnacles, orchids and beetles. Jane Austen fan. Stalker of foxes. And a dogged walker. Darwin's daily strolls played an important role in his life, but also in the development of his ideas. They reveal the unique intellectual value of reverie in … [Read more...]
The enemy of my foe is my friend… or when England lose to anyone, its a good day!
John Campbell is in a self-analytical state of mind. Here he tries to explain his passionate disapproval of English sporting efforts. A lot of my mates who follow the NRL still sprout the ‘whoever is playing Manly’ line when asked who they will be barracking for in any upcoming round of footy. It harks back to the bad old days when the Sea Eagles from Sydney’s northern … [Read more...]
A Dad’s story (or the trials of Spike) – Part 1… parenting a gifted footballer
Lots of sporting parents get excited about their child becoming the "next big thing". Mystery Dad tells us a very different story. What if you had one of those uber-talented kids and you decided to drag him away from the endless possibilities to a place of limited opportunities... a place where he would be unknown and girlfriendless. “You don’t move to Australia to advance … [Read more...]
To dance and to surf… and to harness the rhythms of nature!
Surfing, dancing, movement and nature junkie, Anna Seymour, takes us inside her world where the exploration of nature and it's rhythms provides her with some of her ultimate pleasures. As a profoundly deaf dancer, the exploitation of her heightened other senses are key to her success. These enhanced senses also impact upon her surfing world! As I entered the year 2016 … [Read more...]