| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries 12:27 - Nov 22 with 2302 views | Illinoisblue |
And I don’t even like rugby. 19 years ago today. “He drops for World Cup glory…”
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:41 - Nov 22 with 2230 views | Darth_Koont |
Indeed.
On a side note, it was interesting to hear Wilkinson describe being so much in the zone that he felt like he was watching himself drop the goal. And that when the whistle went there was a nagging feeling of deflation that the game had to end and he had to return to reality. Even as a World Cup winner.
It’s that kind of alien mentality that really sets the top sportspeople apart. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:54 - Nov 22 with 2176 views | Illinoisblue |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:41 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Indeed.
On a side note, it was interesting to hear Wilkinson describe being so much in the zone that he felt like he was watching himself drop the goal. And that when the whistle went there was a nagging feeling of deflation that the game had to end and he had to return to reality. Even as a World Cup winner.
It’s that kind of alien mentality that really sets the top sportspeople apart. |
The mindset of elite sports people is fascinating. The dedications and obsession to reach and stay at the top is incredible. And then having to cope when it’s all over. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:56 - Nov 22 with 2166 views | giant_stow |
I watched that game in rugby-mad Aussie family's house on a rare trip to the far-abroad. I'm not sure they were happy to be hosting by the end - maybe it was the ignorant 'have we won' question after that? Who knows. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:06 - Nov 22 with 2121 views | jeera |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:56 - Nov 22 by giant_stow |
I watched that game in rugby-mad Aussie family's house on a rare trip to the far-abroad. I'm not sure they were happy to be hosting by the end - maybe it was the ignorant 'have we won' question after that? Who knows. |
There's nothing worse than being a passionate fan of something having to tolerate plastic fans at a time when your own team has lost!
Half the nation were fans for a day weren't they. Including me.
I was in a full pub drinking and basking in the glory of beating the Aussies at something I couldn't normally give a stuff about. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:09 - Nov 22 with 2106 views | itfcjoe |
Beat Sheffield United later that afternoon as well |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:14 - Nov 22 with 2080 views | giant_stow |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:06 - Nov 22 by jeera |
There's nothing worse than being a passionate fan of something having to tolerate plastic fans at a time when your own team has lost!
Half the nation were fans for a day weren't they. Including me.
I was in a full pub drinking and basking in the glory of beating the Aussies at something I couldn't normally give a stuff about. |
Yeah absolutely true about plastics and that was absolutely me that day. Never really followed rugby before or since tbh. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:17 - Nov 22 with 2066 views | Darth_Koont |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:54 - Nov 22 by Illinoisblue |
The mindset of elite sports people is fascinating. The dedications and obsession to reach and stay at the top is incredible. And then having to cope when it’s all over. |
Fascinating as you say.
But FWIW I don’t think that it’s particularly healthy for them or a beneficial path for the wider sporting world.
Nowadays, I tend to view full-time/all-in professional sport as another form of doping. Great for performance and pushing the limits but at what cost to overall health and well-being – and do we want our kids going down the same path? | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:33 - Nov 22 with 2016 views | GavTWTD |
19 years? Ugh |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:15 - Nov 22 with 1962 views | Illinoisblue |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:17 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Fascinating as you say.
But FWIW I don’t think that it’s particularly healthy for them or a beneficial path for the wider sporting world.
Nowadays, I tend to view full-time/all-in professional sport as another form of doping. Great for performance and pushing the limits but at what cost to overall health and well-being – and do we want our kids going down the same path? |
It’s interesting over here with the carrot of valuable college scholarships on offer for the best high school athletes. It leads to parents behaving obnoxiously and kids having to deal with untold pressure to train more, practice harder, go to extra skills camps, push push push… and when it doesn’t happen, the world comes crashing down.
I have a friend who was a good college basketball player and is now a teacher at a high school. He was the school’s basketball coach for 10 years but quit recently. Worn down by psycho parents demanding to know why their kid only got x minutes of playing time and how that wasn’t fair. He would literally get calls and texts at all hours of the day from annoyed parents. And this is for a small school in a small town in Wisconsin. Imagine how bad it is in a sports crazed state such as Texas where a good college football career could lead to the NFL and all the $$$ that brings. As so often with kids sports, it’s the parents who ruin it. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:20 - Nov 22 with 1947 views | ITFC_Forever |
Never mind that.
21 years ago, we beat Inter Milan 1-0 at home. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:22 - Nov 22 with 1942 views | Darth_Koont |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:15 - Nov 22 by Illinoisblue |
It’s interesting over here with the carrot of valuable college scholarships on offer for the best high school athletes. It leads to parents behaving obnoxiously and kids having to deal with untold pressure to train more, practice harder, go to extra skills camps, push push push… and when it doesn’t happen, the world comes crashing down.
I have a friend who was a good college basketball player and is now a teacher at a high school. He was the school’s basketball coach for 10 years but quit recently. Worn down by psycho parents demanding to know why their kid only got x minutes of playing time and how that wasn’t fair. He would literally get calls and texts at all hours of the day from annoyed parents. And this is for a small school in a small town in Wisconsin. Imagine how bad it is in a sports crazed state such as Texas where a good college football career could lead to the NFL and all the $$$ that brings. As so often with kids sports, it’s the parents who ruin it. |
Yeah, it’s crazy. And the stakes are far too high when it’s also your education and life prospects that are connected to sporting success.
I’m much more of a believer in the social, health and pure enjoyment values of sport being ultimately far more important than elite performance (or the elitism it promotes). For me, participation is everything ... oh dear, I’m Norwich, aren’t I? | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:29 - Nov 22 with 1927 views | Illinoisblue |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:20 - Nov 22 by ITFC_Forever |
Never mind that.
21 years ago, we beat Inter Milan 1-0 at home. |
I’m still troubled by us having empty seats in the North Stand. I know it was still kinda under construction but still… | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:42 - Nov 22 with 1908 views | hatch |
I have never lived that day down.
Took all my mates to my birthday party in Go Ape Thetford during the final and we missed the whole match. I remember it was chucking it down and we were climbing through a high rope barrel as a text came through saying we'd won. They bring it up most times I watch rugby with them as they're all big rugby fans. |  | | |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:23 - Nov 22 with 1868 views | itfcjoe |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 14:22 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Yeah, it’s crazy. And the stakes are far too high when it’s also your education and life prospects that are connected to sporting success.
I’m much more of a believer in the social, health and pure enjoyment values of sport being ultimately far more important than elite performance (or the elitism it promotes). For me, participation is everything ... oh dear, I’m Norwich, aren’t I? |
I've recently been taking my 2 to football, they are just turned 6 and 4, they both really enjoy it and have a big smile on their face and can't wait to get back which I love.
But I can already tell the Dad side of it isn't going to be for me; being someone who has watched so much academy football I know there is a less than zero chance of my kids making it.....but a lot you speak to don't see that. They talk about kids playing a year up, bits of skill, how good a boy was who was there last week, that one of the girls there is really good etc.....if we were watching Ipswich Town U7s there would be a bout a zero chance of them making it, let alone just a club that lets anyone play.
I'm dreading when mine stop enjoying it because they are far from the best there and it isn't going to be long before they are getting moaned at in games for not being good enough when everyone has to have equal minutes etc. The coaches are brilliant, but they don't stand a chance.
I'm very much Norwich like that - sport is for them to have fun, make friends and be healthy and to get to a level where they can hold their own if playing recreationally. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:30 - Nov 22 with 1843 views | PhilTWTD |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:09 - Nov 22 by itfcjoe |
Beat Sheffield United later that afternoon as well |
Was selling TWTD that day and everyone seemed to be far more drunk than usual having started at 8am. |  | | |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:33 - Nov 22 with 1831 views | hype313 |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:41 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Indeed.
On a side note, it was interesting to hear Wilkinson describe being so much in the zone that he felt like he was watching himself drop the goal. And that when the whistle went there was a nagging feeling of deflation that the game had to end and he had to return to reality. Even as a World Cup winner.
It’s that kind of alien mentality that really sets the top sportspeople apart. |
I read his book, it was quite an uncomfortable read, he was so obsessed, had extreme OCD and couldn't switch off, which goes a long way to understanding his mentality and realising why he is unique. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:54 - Nov 22 with 1795 views | Darth_Koont |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:33 - Nov 22 by hype313 |
I read his book, it was quite an uncomfortable read, he was so obsessed, had extreme OCD and couldn't switch off, which goes a long way to understanding his mentality and realising why he is unique. |
The good news is that he seems to have found redemption/a healthier balance in the years since.
It was on one of the excellent Don’t Tell Me the Score podcasts a few years back if you want to check it out. It’s a great podcast for meeting the real people behind the sporting greats but an even better one for giving tips and insights into mental health and well-being. So really worth having a listen if you haven’t already. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 16:02 - Nov 22 with 1780 views | hype313 |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:54 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
The good news is that he seems to have found redemption/a healthier balance in the years since.
It was on one of the excellent Don’t Tell Me the Score podcasts a few years back if you want to check it out. It’s a great podcast for meeting the real people behind the sporting greats but an even better one for giving tips and insights into mental health and well-being. So really worth having a listen if you haven’t already. |
Think I did listen to a podcast of his, more recently to be fair, where he did seem a little calmer than years gone by and was quite comfortable talking about hos obsessive he was.
But I'll check that one out too. | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 16:17 - Nov 22 with 1745 views | HARRY10 |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:17 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Fascinating as you say.
But FWIW I don’t think that it’s particularly healthy for them or a beneficial path for the wider sporting world.
Nowadays, I tend to view full-time/all-in professional sport as another form of doping. Great for performance and pushing the limits but at what cost to overall health and well-being – and do we want our kids going down the same path? |
I well remember the comments of an Australian coach talking about Rugby in the UK. I don't think he quite grasped what a minority sport it is.
His, what I thought, astonishing comments was he had watched 6 year olds play, and was bemoaning the fact they were not being coached (drilled ?). They were allowed to play as they wanted.
For all those competing at the Olympics there are thousands who will have given up much their spare time to improve their times etc.
For kids it may not be their wish. Up at silly O'clock most mornings, most days. For what, really ? A few million of us to wave a flag (made in China) for their few minutes of glory, or not. A few among thousands who don't.
For every Williams sisters, I have no doubt there are other girls/boys who have been subject to bullying fathers, who seek glory through their kids, no matter the cost. |  | | |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 16:25 - Nov 22 with 1740 views | Illinoisblue |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:23 - Nov 22 by itfcjoe |
I've recently been taking my 2 to football, they are just turned 6 and 4, they both really enjoy it and have a big smile on their face and can't wait to get back which I love.
But I can already tell the Dad side of it isn't going to be for me; being someone who has watched so much academy football I know there is a less than zero chance of my kids making it.....but a lot you speak to don't see that. They talk about kids playing a year up, bits of skill, how good a boy was who was there last week, that one of the girls there is really good etc.....if we were watching Ipswich Town U7s there would be a bout a zero chance of them making it, let alone just a club that lets anyone play.
I'm dreading when mine stop enjoying it because they are far from the best there and it isn't going to be long before they are getting moaned at in games for not being good enough when everyone has to have equal minutes etc. The coaches are brilliant, but they don't stand a chance.
I'm very much Norwich like that - sport is for them to have fun, make friends and be healthy and to get to a level where they can hold their own if playing recreationally. |
So many parents are incredibly delusional about how good their kids are. We all have dreams, sure, but that’s all they are. And that’s okay. If your kids are active, enjoying the sport, having fun with their mates and learning how to be a part of a team, it’s all good.
And that’s the sad thing about high school sports here, kids can’t just enjoy it. You have parents promoting their kids highlight reels on social media, hyping up wins over lesser opponents as something amazing… it’s all out of hand. And of course a side industry has grown out of the crazy parents. Youth basketball tournaments charging $75 admission and for an extra $50 you can get a digital recording of the game. And if you can’t make the game why not subscribe to our streaming service for another $200. Etc etc. a shameless money grab. Welcome to America, I guess! | |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 16:40 - Nov 22 with 1681 views | MattinLondon |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 12:41 - Nov 22 by Darth_Koont |
Indeed.
On a side note, it was interesting to hear Wilkinson describe being so much in the zone that he felt like he was watching himself drop the goal. And that when the whistle went there was a nagging feeling of deflation that the game had to end and he had to return to reality. Even as a World Cup winner.
It’s that kind of alien mentality that really sets the top sportspeople apart. |
On a very off-topic route - I remember that rugby u ion had grand plans then to make it more popular. But almost twenty years on, a couple of big clubs have folded and a lot comprehensive schools still don’t really play it. What went wrong or is going wrong? |  | | |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 16:50 - Nov 22 with 1666 views | bluelagos |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:23 - Nov 22 by itfcjoe |
I've recently been taking my 2 to football, they are just turned 6 and 4, they both really enjoy it and have a big smile on their face and can't wait to get back which I love.
But I can already tell the Dad side of it isn't going to be for me; being someone who has watched so much academy football I know there is a less than zero chance of my kids making it.....but a lot you speak to don't see that. They talk about kids playing a year up, bits of skill, how good a boy was who was there last week, that one of the girls there is really good etc.....if we were watching Ipswich Town U7s there would be a bout a zero chance of them making it, let alone just a club that lets anyone play.
I'm dreading when mine stop enjoying it because they are far from the best there and it isn't going to be long before they are getting moaned at in games for not being good enough when everyone has to have equal minutes etc. The coaches are brilliant, but they don't stand a chance.
I'm very much Norwich like that - sport is for them to have fun, make friends and be healthy and to get to a level where they can hold their own if playing recreationally. |
n/t [Post edited 22 Nov 2022 16:51]
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 17:00 - Nov 22 with 1636 views | factual_blue |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 15:30 - Nov 22 by PhilTWTD |
Was selling TWTD that day and everyone seemed to be far more drunk than usual having started at 8am. |
They were just following your lead of course Phil. |  |
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| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 17:42 - Nov 22 with 1605 views | Churchman |
| One of the THE iconic sporting commentaries on 13:06 - Nov 22 by jeera |
There's nothing worse than being a passionate fan of something having to tolerate plastic fans at a time when your own team has lost!
Half the nation were fans for a day weren't they. Including me.
I was in a full pub drinking and basking in the glory of beating the Aussies at something I couldn't normally give a stuff about. |
I really loved playing rugby at school. Great game (unless it’s February, you are away from home, it’s snowing and you are getting battered). But I’ve always disliked watching it. When I did corporate England v NZ I was so hammered I barely watched any of it.
I watched some of the England games on tv in that tournament because we had the best team. Fair weather ‘fan’? Yep.
I watched the final at the same time as playing snooker, which was odd. The tv was on, with sound, in the corner. It was a great moment when Wilkinson won it. We went to the football in the afternoon and I remember we won to top the day off, but I don’t think it was the 3-2 comeback game. The following day was golf at Felixstowe Ferry.
Cracking weekend. |  | | |
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