David Sheppard scored more runs in a single season, and more centuries as a student, than anyone else in the history of Cambridge University cricket. Such was his talent that he was selected for England’s 1950/51 Ashes tour of Australia at the end of his first year as a student. But, at the same time… Continue reading ‘David Sheppard: Batting for the Poor’ – by Andrew Bradstock [review]
Category: Sport
Ability, vulnerability and mental health: ‘The Edge’ [review]
This week it was World Mental Health Day. I was struck by the number of men I know posting on social media about their struggles with their mental well-being. Even just a few years ago, I doubt people would have been so open. And this weekend, I watched the film The Edge which is a documentary… Continue reading Ability, vulnerability and mental health: ‘The Edge’ [review]
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The poverty that creates knife crime
My community in south London lives in the shadow of knife crime. Young people have been killed on our street and the threat of violence continually affects the young people we know and care about. As a father of three children, including two teenage boys, I am more anxious than ever about their safety. Like… Continue reading The poverty that creates knife crime
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‘What game even is that?’: Two factors to save cricket’s future
I play cricket each week on a ground where the game has been played since 1743. A couple of weeks ago, a group of local children came past the ground. We are used to hearing comments shouted out, but on this occasion something particularly struck me. One teenage girl turned to her friends and said:… Continue reading ‘What game even is that?’: Two factors to save cricket’s future
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Cheating cricketers and the message of Easter
I’ll never forget my first match for my University Cricket Club. I was 19 and nervously excited. I had played a lot of league cricket down south but now I was playing alongside teammates from the northern leagues. They were a tougher breed. In the changing room before the match, I was genuinely taken aback… Continue reading Cheating cricketers and the message of Easter
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I’m not surprised at The President’s Club scandal – it’s just like my University Rugby Club
The waves created by the Harvey Weinstein eruptions in Hollywood are being felt all over the world. But you can imagine the organisers of The President's Club, an all-male, exclusive fundraising event, felt pretty safe. After all, they had been running it for 30 years, high rollers from major City firms were guests and it was… Continue reading I’m not surprised at The President’s Club scandal – it’s just like my University Rugby Club
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Pushy parents and competitive dads: when children behave better than adults
Every Saturday, my 10 year old son plays in a football team in a south London league. He is part of a great club, with dedicated coaches and he loves it. It is a very competitive league but over the course of the season, I have seen hardly any aggressive behaviour, bad language or arguing with the referee… Continue reading Pushy parents and competitive dads: when children behave better than adults
