The Sports Archives – History of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament

Posted on November 29, 2014 by thesportsarchives
The locations of the Six Nations.

The locations of the Six Nations.

The Six Nations – currently known as the RBS Six Nations – is one of the biggest international rugby events of the year. This annual tournament features six national sides: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and France.

It takes place early in the year, and the 2015 tournament will start on February 6 with the last matches held on March 21.

The Home Nations Championship

The tournament started off as the Home Nations Championship in 1883, when it featured England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. It then became the Five Nations Championship in 1910 when France joined, and this lasted until 1931.

From 1932 to 1939 it reverted to the Home Nations Championship, and after the war the Five Nations Championship began again. This carried on until 1999, and the following year the 6 Nations rugby tournament was born with the addition of Italy.

Results over the years

Since the Home Nations Championship began, England and Wales have been the most successful teams, both winning 26 titles. In recent times, Scotland and Italy have been the least successful, with neither managing to win the 6 Nations since the first tournament was held in 2000.

When a team wins every match, they win the Grand Slam. England has won the most Grand Slams with 12, followed by:

Continue reading →

Posted in Rugby | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – Ways to Show Support for Your Team at a Sporting Event

Posted on November 26, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Reliant Stadium

Heading to see the game? Lucky you! Certainly nothing quite beats the atmosphere that surrounds going to a game in the flesh, as opposed to watching it at home on the big screen. However, the best part of going to a football, baseball or basketball game is the chance to show your team how much you are rooting for them. Even if it is something not quite as grandiose, such as your child’s peewee soccer game, the extra show of support for your team can help give that extra push towards victory. So here’s some example ways to show support for your team at a sporting event.

Come Up With a Chant or Song

For those feeling creative, there are fewer ways more suitable to show support for your team than to come up with a victory chant or song to help spur the players on. Admittedly this tactic is only truly helpful if there’s enough people to make it carry, so make sure you have friends with you to make it work. One person chanting on his own probably won’t be heard over the roar of other spectators.  However, once it gets going, you’ll soon see a marked difference in how hard your team starts to play.

If you are really good at it, you may well find your victory chant or song being taken up by other supporters as well.

Bring Drinks and Snacks for the Team

Sure, this is a bit of a Mom thing to do. However, you’d be surprised what bringing in snacks or buying a round of drinks at the bar for a team can do for their morale. If nothing else, it shows that their fans really do think about them and regards them as people, not as sporting machines. Likewise, something sugary like cookies can help keep the team energised while juice can help keep them hydrated.

So not only does it improve morale, but it is very practical too!

Continue reading →

Posted in Football, Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – My Most Exciting White Water Rafting Trip!

Posted on November 23, 2014 by thesportsarchives

ZanskarAs an avid athlete I have participated in a number of sports. Some of my fondest memories revolve around holidays and vacations that were planned with the sole purpose of participating in some type of sporting activity. Indeed I think I was born with sneakers or flippers on.

Beginnings

I loved to swim, run, bike, and explore, and although these activities continue to be a part of life, I found a passion for water sports as a young teenager. At first I preferred canoeing, and as a Canadian, there were copious lakes and rivers to prospect. After a number of canoe trips, someone introduced me to kayaking, which I thought of as an Olympic sport and way beyond my skills. Nevertheless, I took a few lessons and eventually maneuvered my way through white water. In the meantime, I also became a zealous windsurfer and a competitive rower, but there was still a part of my adventurous side that I could not satiate.

Exploring

My first experience with white water rafting was on the Madawaska River in Ontario, Canada, affectionately known as the “Mad”. Popular with canoers, kayakers, and rafters for spring and early summer Class II/Class III runs, the lower Mad has plenty of outfitters and put in/take out locations.

Arkansas River White Water Rafting

Family Time

It took a move to Florida and the birth of my son to spur me on to greater challenges. After a few family friendly tours on the famous Suwannee River and the Withlacoochee River, my son became old enough to try something bigger. Furthermore, he was well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. Therefore, off we went to New Hampshire. After one week of rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking, white water rafting and kayaking on Class II and III, and a spill or two, he was hooked.

Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Sports Archives – Data and Football (Soccer) – The Unlikely Marriage!

Posted on November 16, 2014 by thesportsarchives

messi olympics soccer

20 years ago you would face being laughed out of the room if you suggested using data to help improve your game in football. However this unlikely marriage of a game of passion with a realm of statistics has been enabled by a digital revolution, that has brought logic and relevance to the latter. With sophisticated sports analysis software making sense of the numbers, every level of this sporting world is able to utilise historical and current data to improve performance and make informed decisions.

A Football Field of Facts and Figures

Data can and is collected on pretty much every aspect of this complex sport. From club level information of league tables and goals scored, to individual statistic on each player, once upon a time it would have taken an experienced analyst to decipher all of this information.

And why is it so essential? Knowing who’s played which games, which players are performing well and which ones need improvement, tracking physical fitness and monitoring the overall performance of the club enables identification of both strong and weak points. By doing so, areas for improvement can quickly be addressed, supported by evidence rather than trial and error. As a result, the whole organisation can move forward with a confident strategy for sporting success.

Continue reading →

Posted in Soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – The Top Surfing Destinations In The World!

Posted on November 9, 2014 by thesportsarchives

  1. The North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

Your limit.  This is the home to many surfing professionals so don’t get carried away with your abilities as a surfer if you’re still relatively new to the sport.

The North Shore of Oahu offers a seven-mile stretch of perhaps the very best waves in the world.  Between Ka’ena Point and Kahuku Point are breaks such as the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay.  The surfing pros hit town during the winter season and the place really comes alive with surfing’s prestigious Triple Crown contest, being held here annually in December.

  1. Bali, Indonesia

Can get crowded in peak season and certain spots like Uluwatu can be dangerous if you’re and inexperienced surfer.

Bali is a paradise for surfers and the surrounding islands have some great surfing beaches too.  Keramas beach is a popular spot for advanced surfers – it has an excellent reefbreak and offers constant waves and a big swell.  While Kuta beach is favored by those new to surfing with tamer conditions.

  1. The Gold Coast, Australia

This is a busy spot for surfing; there’s 500,000 plus locals vying for waves – and that’s not counting visiting surfers.

The Gold Coast boasts 57 kilometers of pristine coastline that’s home to some of the best surf breaks in the world – like the Superbank that stretches from Snapper Heads to Greenmount and Burleigh Point – probably the world’s best right-hand point break.

  1. Hossegor, France

The language – if you don’t speak French, you may not get as welcoming a vibe as others who do.

This surfing spot has been dubbed the “surfing capital of Europe” and people come from miles around to watch the pros ride tubes here.  Winters can be cold here and can provide some dangerous surfing conditions with massive storm swells slamming the beaches on a weekly basis.

  1. Easter Cape, South Africa

Cold Water and heavy waves to be expected.

South Africa’s coastline is defined by a series of points and bays and it has loads to offer surfers.  In particular, Jeffreys Bay is a top destination and boasts long fast barrels, magna tubes, and even super tubes.

  1. Sligo, Ireland

Cold water and harsh weather conditions.

Ireland, known among surfers as “Europe’s cold-water Indonesia”, has become a mecca for surfers over the past 10 years, boasting big waves and beautiful surroundings.  Of course, you will have to come prepared for the harsh weather conditions and expect rain – plenty of it – but if you’re truly passionate about surfing, you’ll appreciate what the Emerald Eye and especially Sligo, has to offer.

Read more about these destinations and what the experts say on the below infographic brought to you by Total Surfing Fitness.

Total Surfing Fitness IG August final

Related Blogs:
The 10 Commandments Of Surfing
Surf Science: Learning The Theory Behind The Sport Of Surfing!
Top 10 Waves – The Surfer’s To Do List!

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – 21 Football (Soccer) Hell Raisers!

Posted on November 2, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Over the 50 years we have seen some absolute crazy footballers whose contribution to the game is still something often spoken about. It was tough but this infographic contains information about 21 football Hell Raisers.

Read about “El Loco” Rene Higuita and jailbird Frank McAvennie.  George Best, who gave up women and alcohol and then when on to say that it was the worst 20 minutes of his life!  Let’s not forget the drug problems of Diego Maradona and Robin Friday;  the anger  management issues of Joey Barton, Mario Balotelli and Roy Keane.    There are the alcoholics, the criminals, the animals, the womanizers and there is downright crazy Luis Suarez who likes to bite his opponents when they are not looking!

Read about it in this infographic brought to you by The Stonk:

fotball hell raisers infographic

Related Blogs:
Football (Soccer) Superstars!
The Origin of Football (Soccer)!
Rich Sports – The Wealthiest Football (Soccer) Teams In The World!

Posted in Soccer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – Choosing The Right Motorcycle Saddlebag!

Posted on October 27, 2014 by thesportsarchives

You need to trust motorcycle luggage experts to choose the right select of saddlebags. While shopping for motorcycle saddlebags, you’ll come across many options that make it difficult to make the correct choice. We’ve broken all of these options down into five simple questions. First, does your bike have an exposed shock? Second, how much storage space do you need. We offer size options from small to extra-large. Third, do you want a plain or a studded pair of bags? How about buckles? Fourth, what type of mounting would you like your saddlebags to have? Fifth, do you want your saddlebag to be lockable? After answering these few questions you have now filtered down your search and are ready to select your design.  After that, you are good to go, or should we say roll!

There are 5 main things you need to consider when ordering your saddlebags:

1. Type of Saddlebags:

  • – Shock Cut-Out
  • – No Shock Cut-Out

2. Capacity of Saddlebags:

  • – Small
  • – Medium
  • – Large
  • – Extra Large

3. Style of Saddlebags:

  • – Plain vs. Studded
  • – Buckles vs. No Buckles

4. What Type of Mounting is Offered?:

  • – Throw-Over
  • – Hard-Mount
  • – Quick Disconnect System

5. Are They Lockable?:

  • – Padlock
  • – Keylock

Viking Bags have created a new info-graphic to assist Motorcycle riders for choosing the best saddlebags for their specific need and type of Motorcycle. Viking Bags are experts in Motorcycle Luggage, like Street, Cruiser and Sports motorcycle luggage.

Related Blogs:
Getting Into Motorcycle Racing!
The Ultimate Motorcyclist Jargon Buster!
How To Choose The Right Motorcycle For Your Adventure-Seeking Spirit!

How To Choose Motorcycle Saddlebags

Posted in Motorsports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – The History Of Hockey In Canada

Posted on October 4, 2014 by thesportsarchives

The following is a timeline which marks some of the most famous historical events that were instrumental in the evolvement of the sport of hockey in Canada.   The game was first called shinny or hurly and was played in Nova Scotia by British soldiers and also by immigrants from Iceland.  The word ‘Shinny’ is Canadian slang for an informal or pick-up ice or street hockey game.

1875 – The first recorded hockey game was played in an indoor rink between two teams at Victoria Rink in Montreal.

1892 – The first documented women’s game is held in Barrie, Ontario.

1892 – Lord Stanley of Preston, the Governor General of Canada, an avid hockey enthusiast donated a trophy, known today as the Stanley Cup.

1893 – The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association became the first team to win the Stanley Cup.

1894 – A female club team, the Love-Me-Littles, is formed in defiance of the Archbishop at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

1917 – The creation of the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadians and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the initial clubs,  marked a major milestone in the sport’s organization and development.

1924 – The NHL expands into the US with the Boston Bruins joining the league.

1926 – The Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings and the New York Rangers join the NHL and establish the initial six teams later dubbed the ‘original six’.

1967 – The first major expansion of the NHL doubled the league size by adding 6 more US-based teams: the Los Angeles Kings, the Minnesota North Stars, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the California Seals and the St. Louis Blues.

1970 – The first Canadian expansion team to join the NHL is the Vancouver Canucks along with the border city Buffalo Sabres also becoming a member.

1990 – Canada wins the gold medal in the first Women’s World Hockey Championship; a success the Canadian National Women’s Team repeated in 1992 and 1994.

1994 – Hockey was declared Canada’s national winter sport.

The following infographic brought to you by Tucker Hockey, illustrates more interesting facts about hockey and the NHL including NHL top player salaries, NHL most valuable teams and NHL top scorers for the money!

Related Blogs:
A Brief History of Ice Hockey!
United Nations of Hockey!
Women In Hockey Are Going Places!

Tucker Hockey Infographic

Posted in Hockey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – What Is Kite Surfing?

Posted on September 27, 2014 by thesportsarchives

What is Kite Surfing?

Kite surfing is a water sport that uses a board and a kite to travel across the water. In order to kite surf you balance on the board as the power of the wind causes the kite to move. The speed that you will travel depends on the strength of the wind and the angle at which the kite is held.

Who can take part in kite surfing?

The kites come in a variety of different sizes and this means that they are suitable for riders of all different builds. It may not be suitable for very young children but most instructors will accept students that are aged ten and over, and many people continue to kite surf into their sixties and seventies. You do not need to have any experience of kite surfing to get started, so it is an ideal water sport for people of all abilities.

Kite Surfing

What equipment is needed?

The main equipment that you will need is the board and the kite itself, as well as a harness which attaches to the kite. As it is certain that you will be getting wet, specialist clothing is also a good idea. An h2o sports men’s wetsuit can be a good choice as this will keep you entire body protected while you are out on the water. Generally speaking the equipment needed for kite surfing is very easy to transport as the kite can be compressed into a small bag and the board is relatively small as well.

Continue reading →

Posted in Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sports Archives – The Player Who Hit For Opposing Teams In The Same Game!

Posted on September 22, 2014 by thesportsarchives

Minor league baseball in the Americas consists of a list of leagues that compete at various skill levels.  The minor leagues prepare players for the major leagues by providing for further maturity and talent development.  The leagues are divided into three league types: Class A, Double-A and Triple-A, with least experienced players competing at the Class A level.  Some of the other countries besides the U.S. that supply players to the minor leagues are Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico.

Minor League BallgameBeing a minor league player in any sport is a very challenging and exciting experience for an athlete. Those that work hard and maintain complete focus on the finish line are usually the ones that make it to the major leagues. Sometimes it also takes a bit of luck and just plain being in the right place at the right time. If you can’t get that lucky break, you may get well-traveled throughout the minors. This was the case of Dale Holman, a minor league baseball player who is at the center of a very odd coincidence in baseball.

An International League BallparkThe story goes like this:

Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment