Nation,
Interesting article from Jeters about t
alking about your ultimate life in your professional setting.
I have had good and bad experiences talking about our sport in various avenues (different cities, different workplaces, and with other sport academics). I was sometimes surprised by the respect given by high ranking people in sport (some of my colleagues with the COC for example) and I was also surprised by the ignorance from high level athletes and even some of my past sport management professors at Western.
I remember one particular prof who remarked that it was "great how (I) was such a defender of fringe sports". Her perception of fringe sports shocked me. Needing to pass her course, I declined to mention that her sport of choice (canadian university women's athletics) probably doesn't rank in the top ten of most respected sports either. How could someone that probably received a lifetime of rude comments about her gender's ability and sport itself turn around and be as equally rude and dismissive?
I think the harshest people of ultimate are those
- Who don't know the sport
- Who play other sports
- Who play other sports that compete in an uphill battle to justify their existence for government monies
Nothing turns other sports against other sports like a fight for money and support. For some reason, sport never seems to work together when it is optimal.
The next time someone who plays soccer tries to tell you how great their sport is in Canada and how many people play the game compared to our "fringe sport", be sure to counter with
our world ranking in the senior mens level.
We're now 94th in the world. "Sandwiched between Mozambique and Democratic Republic of the Congo."
Soccer Canada is an interesting example of what CUPA should strive to avoid. Politics have lead to inaction and mismanagement. That our nation, with all the facilities, programs, and clubs available with the time and money allowing kids to play, is sandwiched between two countries whose major concerns revolve around basic necessities for its people, drug wars, and avoiding civil war is well.. sad.
Kids play till their teens and then drop out at an alarming rate. Players like Owen Hargraves get passed over for someone's son and then shows up on England's starting lineup. Yet, Soccer Canada hides behind participation numbers.
