Sport

I coach the over 18’s men’s teams – 38 young men, eager to train and play a decent level of competitive soccer. And where do we train? Three suburbs away at a high school oval with poor lighting and multiple rabbit holes (one of which hobbled my top recruit last season, so he missed the first six weeks of the season). … [Read more...] about We missed out on a sports grant for our club – now we know how unethical the process has been

“It is fair to assume that a consequence of the review into the regulations will be a far more rigorous auditing process,” said Richard Cranmer, the managing partner of Front Row Legal, which specialises in sports, media and business. “What I also suspect will happen is that CVC [the private equity company that has bought a stake in the Premiership] will pull strings behind the scenes because this affair, which is one of the most serious sporting scandals I can recall, has probably knocked rugby back 10 years, so badly has its image been tarnished. … [Read more...] about Saracens scandal may spell end of a way of rugby life

Both Boudjellal and Habana openly questioned the sanity of the Rugby Football Union’s stance that England should pick players based overseas only in “exceptional circumstances”. Armitage, by widespread consent, is playing exceptionally and Boudjellal was swift to criticise the “misplaced protectionism” he believes is to blame. “The coach can do what he wants but it’s a stupid rule, really stupid. Just because Jonny Wilkinson or Steffon Armitage plays in France, it doesn’t mean they aren’t English. When a player leaves his own country he feels it more in his heart because he doesn’t see it every day.” … [Read more...] about Jonny Wilkinson bows out victorious but Toulon have it all to march on

"I would stress that this is not a change to our selection policy itself. Players remain entirely free to play outside England should they so wish, but you need to understand that it is our absolute intention that we only select from overseas clubs in exceptional circumstances. It is for you and your agent to decide if you are willing to take that risk." … [Read more...] about Overseas players face England exile after World Cup, warns the RFU

Sure enough, the night changed complexion soon after and with it, Kyrgios’s mood. Still boyish and agile at 35, Simon wore his younger opponent down and claimed two breaks to take the set in 54 minutes. As he is wont to do, Kyrgios attributed this sudden and dramatic reversal in his fortunes to a few anodyne words of encouragement from his corner: “Of all the things you could say to me: ‘stay tough’?” he barked. “Every break point – stay tough.” This formulation, he ranted, was not only unhelpful, but “mind-boggling.” The effect certainly was. … [Read more...] about Nick Kyrgios wins war with himself and Gilles Simon at Australian Open