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]
Category: Sport
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
‘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
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
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
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
The worst decision ever made by English cricket
One of the key reasons that the Football World Cup captures people's imagination is because everyone can watch each match as they are broadcast on free-to-watch channels. This means it is a collective, national experience. Imagine what it would be like if the World Cup matches were just on Sky and the rest of us had to make do… Continue reading The worst decision ever made by English cricket
Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers
England may be perennial hopefuls at World Cup Finals, but for Bosnia & Herzegovina it will be the first time they have made it to the competition since the country declared independence in 1992. I’ll be supporting them when they kick off in their first match on Sunday. Bosnia is a country born out of… Continue reading Why I’m supporting Bosnia at the World Cup – by Jonathan Chilvers
Anelka’s gesture deserves more than just a 5 match ban – by Alan Bolchover
Let’s be absolutely clear: Nicolas Anelka’s “quenelle” gesture was an anti-semetic act. The gesture is the equivalent of a Nazi salute and if you or I made it in our workplaces, we should be deservedly be fired. La quenelle consists of pointing towards the ground with a flattened hand while folding the other arm across… Continue reading Anelka’s gesture deserves more than just a 5 match ban – by Alan Bolchover
Neither sycophancy nor cynicism: Danny Boyle and the right kind of patriotism
I love sport and have always enjoyed the Olympics but I have never watched an Opening Ceremony until last night. I guess I have never understood what the point of it all is. But last night, I was blown away by the power and pride generated by Danny Boyle's crazy cocktail of comedy, history, dance… Continue reading Neither sycophancy nor cynicism: Danny Boyle and the right kind of patriotism
Grace + Truth 