The Sports Archives – Top Sporting Moments of 2012!

Posted on January 12, 2013 by thesportsarchives

2012 London Olympics LogoThe year 2012 will undoubtedly go into history books as one that saw victories, losses, excitement, drama and inspiration in the sporting arena. There were athletes who showed patriotism in the London Olympics, there were those who expressed the depth and strength of the human spirit to beat all odds and rise to stardom, while others fell into sheer disappointment and whose faces we may never see again!

1. Michael Phelps Makes History

American swimmer Michael Phelps overcame the challenges to become the most decorated Olympian of all time at the 2012 London Olympics. He won a total of 22 medals at the London finals, 18 of which were gold. He is considered the best Olympian ever having attained the record for most Olympics medals in a career.

2. David Rudisha Wins Olympic 800m

Kenya’s David Rudisha, 800m world record holder, broke his own record to clinch the gold medal at the London Olympics. He set the time at 1:40:91 to prove that he is still the master of the 800m, and not even Botwana’s 18-year-old Nijel Amos could match him.

3. Didier Drogba‘s Classic Exit

There is no better way for Drogba to have ended his stay at Chelsea than with the 89th minute equalizer against Bayern, and later on giving the Blues victory with his penalty shootout in the Champions League.

4. Manny Pacquiao Defeated

In June, World Boxing Champion Manny Pacquiao suffered his first loss since 2005. The Filipino was defeated by American Timothy Bradley. Again, he got a knockout in the 6th round in a bout pitting him against his arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez that left him unconscious. This defeat saw him drop in rankings and later on talks of his retirement.

5. Chipolopolo Crowned Africa Cup of Nations Champs

19 years ago, Zambia lost its entire national team to a plane crash in Gabon. The national team has since been viewed as an underdog. However, they proved the continent and the whole world wrong when they held the Ivorians to a draw in a tense-filled 120 minutes. The penalty shootout bore fruits when the Zambians beat the Ivorians to clinch Africa’s most coveted trophy.

6. Stephen Kiprotich Wins Uganda’s First Medal

Nobody expected Kenyan-turned-Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich to win the men’s marathon at the London Olympics. He beat Kenya’s great names at the event to cross the line and win Uganda’s first medal in forty years.

7.  LeBron James Wins First NBA Title

NBA superstar LeBron James led his team Miami Heat to clinch the 2012 NBA Championships. This becomes his first title. He put up a starling performance scoring 26 points, giving out 13 assists and hauling down 11 rebounds. This saw him become the first player since Magic Johnson to record a triple-double twice in a Finals series.

8. Jerry Sandusky Goes to Jail

In October, former Pennsylvania State American football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced between 30 and 60 years in jail. He was found guilty of 45 counts of child molestation. His victims, 10 in number, suffered in his hands for a period of 15 years. The coach who is said to have mentored one of the country’s most illustrious football teams is serving his term and has not given any apologies. Sources say he could be spending the rest of his life behind bars.

 

Kev Is the Owner of BothTeamstoScore.org, offering free Football Tips in the UK.

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Did You See That? Top London 2012 Moments!

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The Sports Archives – Extreme Motocross – Three Challenges You Must Conquer!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by thesportsarchives

Motocross is something you can dabble in, or something you can pour everything you’ve got into.  I started dabbling at the advanced age of 30-something.  I had a fantastic instructor, good equipment, the will, and the guts to learn.  I had already done a lot of off-road trail riding on my own.   I didn’t see anything standing in my way.

Motocross BikesAt the time, my husband and I were Captain and First Mate aboard a yacht in Cozumel, Mexico.  The owners rarely used the boat so while we had to work hard to maintain it, we also made time to water ski, scuba dive, freedive, and ride motorcycles.  There was a small, rough, supercross style track on the island, and we helped organize a group of riders into a club so we could groom the track.  We bought truckloads of what passes for dirt on an island built of coral reef, rented a bobcat to rebuild the jumps, and spent hours with picks and shovels removing pointy rocks, bits of rebar, and other junk that could injure us.  We joined the Mexican Motorcycle Federation so we could compete in sanctioned races.  It was fun, crazy, dangerous, and a great way to stay in shape.  We talked a lot about taking time off from yachting and going back to the States to compete for real in the Veteran’s Series, but the one challenge we could never conquer was giving up our terrific source of income so we’d have the time to dedicate to getting serious about the sport.

Money

Unlike soccer, this sport requires a sizable upfront investment.  First, you need a motorcycle.  A new one will run between $5,000 and $8,500 depending on the brand and model.  The personal safety gear can add another $1000.  You need a trailer or at least a pickup truck to get to the track for practice and races.  Amateur riders may be eligible for sponsorship, and this can cover some of their expenses, but count on spending a lot of money, especially if you are going to travel to compete in a series of races.  I remember, years ago, reading about the top female motocrosser, a teenager, whose parents spent roughly $30,000 that year so she could make it to all the races to earn her title.

Time

The difference between a dabbler and someone who is extreme about motocross is the amount of time the rider, and their support team, can put into the sport.  A teenager obviously has more free time than an adult with a job, but the teen rider needs to have the support of their parents, and they in turn need to be able to take the time off to drive to races.

Fear

If you, as a rider, have overcome the fear of high-speed cornering and jumping, you’ve won the battle.  As a minor, winning the war means helping your parents overcome the fear of seeing you crash and being airlifted to a hospital.  I’ve witnessed several friends breaking bones, and have had my share of concussions.  Now that I have a daughter of my own, I’m constantly apologizing to my mother for all I put her through.

Lizzie E loves adventure, travel and the outdoors. Her global experiences are colorful and full of thrills.

Photo Credit:  http://speedracercarsandmore.blogspot.com

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The Sports Archives – 10 of the Most Frustrating Things in Golf!

Posted on January 10, 2013 by thesportsarchives

Golf FustrationGolf consistently makes the list as one of the most frustrating sports out there. So many things go into golf that make it so challenging, and for most of us it’s a love-hate that we can never seem to shed. From the cost of the game, the wind, or the first tee jitters we all seem to get, golf can be a very frustrating experience. Here’s a look at some of the most frustrating aspects of this beloved pastime.

#1 – Slow Play

Getting stuck behind slow players is one of the most frustrating things for just about any golfer. If you get stuck behind a slow group there is always the chance you might be able to skip ahead by asking, and if the slow player is within your group, you could always try to be tactful and suggest that the group as a whole speed up play. If that doesn’t work, beer helps.

#2 – Divots

There’s not much that is more frustrating than hitting a perfect drive or Fairway shot right into a divot. Sure there are ways to approach a divot shot,  but why should we. If everybody just followed some simple golf etiquette and replaced / fixed their divots we wouldn’t have such problems. Carry a divot tool and fix them as you make them.

#3 – Cheaters

Cheating happens all the time, people out there making subtle ball adjustments or even big changes to improve their chance of a good shot. Dealing with cheaters is a sticky situation. You can either turn a blind eye, or you can call them on every shot. What to do, what to do. If you’re playing for money then every shot counts, simple as that.

#4 – Phones

For most, listening to others yammer away on their cell phones during their round equals the most annoying thing in golf. Luckily most people text now so we don’t have to hear it, but if you must text please be discreet about it. If you’re checking your fantasy football scores please wait until the round is over. That said, lots of golfers use their smartphones now as tools to improve their game, so it’s becoming more commonplace to see phones openly wielded on the course.

#5 – Gambling

Lots of people like to gamble on golf and that’s fine. The problem comes when people are invited into a round of golf with people who are planning on gambling and were not expecting to gamble. It is common courtesy if you invite someone into a group of gamblers, let them know upfront so they can either bring money or opt out.

#6 – Pushy jerks

Sometimes slow play cannot be avoided. When the course is clearly backed up and some jerk wants to push through because they think you’re going to slowly, that is not okay. Sometimes we just need to keep a relaxed head and understand that things aren’t running as smoothly as they ought to be.

#7 – Dodging balls

There’s nothing quite as annoying as when you find the group behind you firing shots at your head while you’re trying to chip and putt. Sit back, relax, and be realistic in how fast you expect the group ahead of you to play.

#8 – Marshals

A large percentage of the marshals I’ve encountered are competent and good at their job, but when you find the ones who aren’t they make a very lasting negative impression. The ones who take their job way too seriously by hovering over you like your local traffic eyes in the sky can be as frustrating as anything. You can always try to be tactful and ask them to please back off and let you enjoy the game without their watchful eye, but they probably won’t listen.

#9 – Excessive practice swings

I call this one silent but annoying. You know, that person in your group who decides to take 10 practice swings prior to each shot? More than two practice swings is excessive. A few practice swings before you grip and rip is understandable, so leave it at that, if you add 8 more you will not be getting a better shot.

#10 – Golfers

The most frustrating thing about golf is probably…golfers. Unfortunately, golfers can be a bunch of elitists who think much too highly of themselves. We need to stop taking things so seriously and cut the beginners some slack.

Phil Oscarson is a freelance writer for golfzing.com. Besides illustrating the many faults that golf may have, he does do plenty of great analysis from time to time. You find tee times, and awesome places to golf through golfzing.

Photo Credit: www.sports-psychology-tips.com

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The Sports Archives – Jet Skiing For Absolute Beginners!

Posted on January 9, 2013 by thesportsarchives

There are so many types of water sports in the UK and a good example is jet skiing. This is one of the most popular and interesting water sports that you can ever take part in, whenever you visit the beach. If you are planning to participate in this sport for the first time, you may be going through tense moments due to anxiety and uncertainty. You may not know how to handle the Jet Ski, how to start skiing, how to increase your speed, how to stay safe in water and so on. However, you no longer have to worry because you are about to learn more about jet skiing tips for beginners.

Preparing the shut-off clip

Even before you start skiing, you will be required to ensure that the engine shut-off clip is attached to your waist. By so doing, it ensures that the engine is switched off automatically if you lose balance and fall in water. Though the chances of falling are very low, you should always be prepared for anything that might come your way as you familiarise yourself with this machine.

Starting the Jet Ski

The life jacket is one of the most crucial gears for any person involved in aquatic sports. Even the most experienced and professional swimmers normally wear these jackets just to ensure they are safe anytime they take part in jet skiing. Also, ensure that the life jacket is fastened properly and securely before you even start the engine.

Making the first move

Your hands should be placed firmly on the handles of this machine as you prepare to cover your first distance. At this stage, you should engage the throttle and when you are still near the shore, maintain your speed at lowest level. This should be around 10 mph or even less than that.

Learning to how to make a turn

Making a turn is one of the greatest challenges for most beginners and if you find it hard at the first stages, you should never be discouraged because it is normal. The best thing to do is to practise the turns while still maintaining the lowest speed possible. This process should be repeated several times until you are able to balance and take quick turns. As a safety measure, the turns should be practised near the shore to avoid bumping into other boats and jet skiers.

Practising your speed

The only way you will be able to practise your speed is by moving away from the shore. As you increase the speed of the Jet Ski, its nose will rise slightly above the water level. This marks the beginning of fun and adventure as you ride through the waves with some water splashing into your face.

Managing impact

Depending on the speed that you are cruising with, the Jet Ski might float in the air for a few seconds. When this happens, you just have to raise yourself some inches above your seat to reduce the level of impact when the machine settles back on the water surface. This is what makes jet skiing so enjoyable and adventurous to most people who love taking part in water sports.

Extra tips

As a beginner, you are advised to refrain from jet skiing in unfamiliar territories. This will prevent you from the high traffic of water vessels especially when you are still learning how to control your Jet Ski. These simple tips are all you need to make you a professional jet skier.

Featured images:

Tom Silsby is a keen water-sports enthusiast, who also enjoys yachting, sailing and blogging. He regular blogs for Mustang Sailing in Sussex and is proficient as both a yacht skipper and adventure yachtsman. Visit the mustang sailing site for more information on affordable RYA ocean courses and general sailing knowledge and guides.

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The Sports Archives – A Proposal for Expanding the NFL Playoffs!

Posted on January 8, 2013 by thesportsarchives

NFL Playoff Logo
Want more Football?

Vote for proposed playoff change in poll at bottom.

I think it is time to expand this NFL playoff field: from 12 to 14 teams (7 teams in each conference). 16 teams would be too many; the opening round would have to expand for 4 days (Friday to Monday with 2 games each day).

Current 2013 NFL Playoffs

Current  2013  NFL  Playoffs

The 14 team proposal would only last a few weeks in January-February.  The opening round would have the top team in the conference, having a 1st round bye. The other 6 teams (in each conference) would play on that opening round.

Before reading about the new  proposed playoff schedule, check this coming weekend’s NFL playoff odds at the Sportsbook Review for the latest action.

Here is what the match-ups would look like:

                                             1st round seeding:

                  AFC                                                                     NFC

                   #2 vs. #7           #3 vs. #6              #4 vs. #5 

The division winners would host the games (#2, #3, #4), and the 3 wild card teams (#5, #6, #7) go on the road to play the division winners. This could be a weekend affair (Saturday and Sunday), with 3 games each. Then, after all 1st round action is completed; the lowest seed would play the top team in their conference. The other two winning teams would play each other after re-seeding the playoff format.

In round 2, the top 2 teams (left standing in the playoffs) would host the games. The top team and the next highest seed would play the lesser 2 teams. The winners would then play in the conference title games, and then on to the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl would have to be played (according to calendar) before Valentine’s Day, so I might be presenting this playoff format to the league’s commissioner and office. Hope they consider it one day. Wish me luck on that matter, and on other sports takes.

Authored by:  Chris Wood

If you would like to speak to Chris about his NFL playoff proposal, you may contact him here:

TheBoxScore Sports Blog:  http://boxscoresports.blogspot.com/
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Chris is on twitter: @chriswood205

Photo Credits:  Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – Breaking Down Barriers – Arab Women in Sport!

Posted on January 7, 2013 by thesportsarchives
Muslim Woman rowing at 2012 Olympics.

Muslim Woman rowing at 2012 Olympics.

In the western world women don’t think twice about taking up sport and aiming to compete at the highest level. Indeed their exploits are celebrated and many female sports stars become icons and national heroines. In a world where obesity and heart disease are big issues we are all constantly encouraged to get fit and participate in sports but for women in some parts of the world, not only would this be frowned upon, it is actually illegal.

London 2012

The build-up to the London Olympics did see the historic announcement by Saudi Arabia that they would be allowing woman to compete in the games for the first time. This was a remarkable step forward for a nation where girls are banned from participating in sport at school and woman’s organised sport is illegal. Only two women were ultimately included in the team and both of these were forced to conduct their training outside of Saudi Arabia where traditionalists will not accept the participation of woman and condemn athletes as a disgrace to their culture. The Saudis are not alone as in 2008, Afghani track and field athlete Mehboba Ahdyar was forced to seek asylum prior to the Beijing Olympics as she was receiving death threats at home.

Moving Forward

Female athletes have been starting to emerge from Arab countries despite the challenges and resistance they face. London 2012 also saw female athletes from Qatar and Brunei compete for the first time and in Beijing the UAE and Oman made history by including woman in their teams. Some predominantly Muslim nations are now showing a good level of female representation in their international teams but these are North African nations like Egypt and Algeria.

Things remain tough for woman in the Middle Eastern Arab states where female sport is often not even shown on television and any sporting endeavours pursued by woman are behind closed doors. There is, therefore, little inspiration and no icons to drive women forward. Despite these obstacles some brave women do continue to train and involve themselves in sport for their personal benefit and to inspire others.

Determination

It is unlikely that conservative attitudes in Arabian countries will be able to stem the tide of female sport for much longer, especially as female stars from the region are starting to emerge onto the international stage. Take the case of Shaikha Latifa Al Maktoum. She may have had the advantage of being the niece of the monarch of Dubai but this star of international show jumping has worked hard and gained her success on merit.

Admittedly things are a little more relaxed in the UAE regarding female sport but the sight of a woman in a show jacket and jodhpurs may be a little too much for some conservatives at the moment, let alone the idea of scantily clad female athletes on the track. Things are slowly moving forward and the seeds were sown some years ago.

In the Barcelona Olympics of 1992, Hassiba Boulmerka of Algeria won Olympic gold in the 1500 metres and unlike the Saudi track athlete, Sarah Attar, at London 2012, she was not clothed from head to toe. Times are changing and in the future it is entirely possible that the Arab states will deliver a new generation of female athletes to the world stage.

Credit

When female sport does finally emerge fully in the Arab world it will be to the credit of the brave woman who been defying convention and criticism to pursue their dreams.

Featured images:

Sally S writes for a number of blogs and websites on everything ranging from finance to music.

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The Sports Archives – 5 Best Football (Soccer) Players of 2012!

Posted on January 5, 2013 by thesportsarchives

As far as football goes, 2012 has been a great year with many players on the world stage shining, so to single out just five is challenging. However the fact is that some players are so talented that even when surrounded by other top talent, they shine through consistently and have the greatest influence on their club and country’s successes.

Lionel MessiTop of the list, perhaps a little predictably is Barcelona and Argentinian attacker Lionel Messi. 2012 has been a great year for the 25-year-old, he has become his club’s all-time top scorer and with 14 goals in the 2011-12 season, he scored more goals in the Champions League in one season than any other player.  He recently broke Gerd Muller’s record for most goals in a calendar year, after scoring his 86th goal and is in contention to win the coveted Ballons d’Or award, which he has already won three times in a row.

Cristiano Ronaldo

A close second to Messi is ex-Manchester United favourite Cristiano Ronaldo. His 46 goals from mid field helped his current team Real Madrid win the Spanish title and he helped his country Portugal do well in EURO 2012, where they earned a very respectable semi-final spot. His move from England to Spain saw the highest price paid for a player ever at over 93 million Euros and he receives 12 million Euros a year, making him one of the highest paid players of all time. In 2012, Madrid fans will be convinced that the 27-year-old is worth every penny as a result of his great performances throughout the year and he looks set to continue his great form well into the future.

Gianluigi BuffonItalian and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has had yet another stunning year and comes in at third place. He led his country to the final of the EUROS, and helped his club finish the 2011-2012 season as unbeaten champions. Captain of both club and country, the veteran goalkeeper is known as one of the best shot stoppers around and is a key figure on the field, and in the dressing room.

Arturo Vidal

Arturo Vidal comes in at fourth place as a result of his consistent performances in the Juventus midfield. Vidal is widely hailed as the most complete footballer around as he is equally comfortable protecting his back four as he is driving forward and getting goals. The Chilean international joined Juventus from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011 and was an integral part of the unbeaten team of the subsequent season.

Sergio RamosThe fifth best football player of 2012 goes to the influential Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. Usually a world-class right back, Ramos has spent much of the last twelve months as a centre back. His partnership with Barcelona’s Gerard Pique was formidable in EURO 2012 and helped Spain coast to victory in the 4-0 demolition of Italy in the final. Ramos joined Real Madrid in 2005 at just 19 years old and became an overnight sensation at the club.

Morgan is a web enthusiast and football lover. He loves playing football with his friends and some times he writes about the Australian Football League in his AFL tips blog that he created some time ago.

Photo Credits: Wikipedia

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The Sports Archives – Why Do Baseball Players Chew Tobacco?

Posted on January 4, 2013 by thesportsarchives

Chewing TobaccoWhen we think about chewing tobacco, we think about baseball. Well, baseball, mouth cancer, and bad breath. Chewing tobacco used to be the method of choice for Americans who wanted their nicotine fix, but nowadays it’s not quite as glamorous as it used to be. Cigarettes largely replaced chewing tobacco in the general public, and education on the harmful health effects of smoking has led to its recent decline in popularity.

Why, then, is baseball so associated with chewing tobacco? If there’s any group that’s most fond of the stuff, it’d be baseball players. The players of “America’s pastime” have many traditions, and one of them happens to be chewing and spitting wads of black tobacco. Why?

Long-Standing Tradition

The tradition of chewing tobacco in baseball is actually the main reason baseball players do it. They used to do it so much, that it became a tradition. Now, they continue to do it often just because it’s a tradition. Oh, the irony! Chewing tobacco helps polish off the image of the quintessential baseball player, and modern players desire to emulate the greats of the past, like Babe Ruth. Unfortunately, Babe Ruth was an amazing baseball player who also died of throat cancer.

Times of the Past

Baseball became a popular sport in the 1880’s, at the same time that chewing tobacco was popular among mainstream Americans. It was the thing to do, and that’s why many baseball players were doing it. When smoking cigarettes became popular, chewing tobacco use declined amongst baseball players. But after the 1960’s, when the harmful effects of smoking were widely publicized, chewing tobacco use once again increased among baseball players, many of whom mistakenly thought that it was a less harmful method of nicotine ingestion than smoking.

Convenience

For baseball players, chewing tobacco remained popular because it was a way that they could get their nicotine fixes without smoking on the field, which wouldn’t be allowed or convenient. It was also a way to keep their mouths moist on the dusty baseball fields, and it helped them prep spitballs and buff their mitts. All those “uses” for chewing tobacco helped it remain a popular activity among baseball players, even as it became extremely unpopular in the mainstream.

Why Baseball?

Why isn’t chewing tobacco as notably popular among other athletes? Besides the time in which baseball became popular, chewing tobacco wouldn’t be convenient or appropriate for other sports. For example, football players have to wear mouth guards, and hockey players wouldn’t be able to spit on the ice. Tennis players have to run so quickly that trying to chew or hold tobacco in their mouths at the same time wouldn’t be possible.

Even though chewing tobacco is often synonymous with baseball, that association might continue to decline as many baseball players take their jobs as role models for young fans more seriously. Well, that and the fact that the minor leagues banned chewing tobacco in 1993, and the major leagues have just followed suit, banning chewing tobacco in 2012.

Carlos Garza plays baseball and is currently trying to quit with the help of smokeless e-cigs. He lives in Puerto Rico with his wife and two children who are his main inspiration for quitting.

Photo Credit:  http://www.rubylane.com

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The Sports Archives – Five of the Most Expensive Sporting Tickets!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by thesportsarchives

Sports and Money

Arsenal may have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons with their recent home clash with Chelsea setting the cash tills ringing with the cheapest match tickets coming in at a pocket-money busting £62. A hefty price to pay for even the most committed fans, but even £62 seems a snip compared to some of the fortune paid at other sporting occasions in recent years. Here are what some of the most in-demand matches could cost you:

1. New York Yankees Legends Suites, $2,500 per game

After splashing out $1.5bn on their new Yankee Stadium in 2009, the world’s most famous baseball side have to recoup the funds somewhere. The Legends Suites are composed of 122 front-row seats in the best spots in the stadium and also allow access to a private club and a personal food and drink service straight to the seat. If you think $2,500 doesn’t sound too bad for a special occasion, then you’ll have to stretch even further as the seats have to be leased for a minimum of three years, at an eye-watering $600,000.

2. Super Bowl XLV, $9,000

One of the biggest sporting moneymakers not only in the USA but anywhere on the planet, with ticket prices on both the primary and secondary markets often reaching almost sickening levels. In 2011 seats in the prestigious 100 Section sold out three months in advance at $9,000 each. That pales in comparison to the $16,480 paid by one fan on the NFL Ticket Exchange for the 2012 final. Of course if you just want to sample the atmosphere outside the ground then you could always pick up a ‘tailgating’ ticket for the car park party – a snip at $1,500.

3. London 2012 opening ceremony, £2,012

The ‘cleverly’ priced category AA hospitality tickets for the spectacular opening ceremony were priced at a marketing friendly £2,012, but that didn’t help them sell-out too far in advance of the £27m Danny Boyle-led showpiece. Perhaps a bargain compared to Super Bowl tickets but considering it didn’t actually include any live sports action, still a little pricey. The show was certainly one to remember however.

4. Arsenal league matches, £100

It may be nearly a decade since they last lifted the Premier League title, but Arsenal still top the table when it comes to standard ticket prices. With a swanky new stadium in London to fill, complete with padded seats and all mod cons, the prices for regular tickets have been set somewhat high, not that they are short of people willing to pay. But with non-hospitality seats reaching as high as £100, they are wallet-busting prices for ‘regular’ fans. Still, match tickets for in-demand teams like Arsenal still make great gifts for men or women with a real passion for their team. Or you could try a stadium tour if you want to treat someone to a unique look around this pricey sporting arena for a fraction of the cost.

5. Wimbledon 2012 final, £5,500

While tennis in the UK may have something of an elitist reputation, the surging ticket prices for the showpiece Wimbledon final this year did nothing to alter that perception. Andy Murray making the final provided a sharp spike in demand from tennis fans, with secondary ticket websites seeing tickets changing hands for more than £5,000 to see the Brit take on Roger Federer, who eventually broke home hearts and reduced Murray to tears. Murray had his revenge at the Olympics though.

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Photo Credit:  formplayer.com

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The Sports Archives – The Dangers of Cheerleading!

Posted on January 2, 2013 by thesportsarchives

Extreme CheerleadingThe perils of most sports are obvious and well documented. The governing bodies of the disciplines evolve and enforce safety regulations and referees penalize participants for dangerous play. In many activities protective clothing is worn like head guards in rugby, shin pads in soccer and helmets in ice hockey. There is an activity, however, where highly complex and dangerous stunts are performed often with no protective equipment and with little regulation. Surprisingly cheerleading is more dangerous for girls than any other high school or college sport in America and catastrophic injuries are on the rise.

Popular

Cheerleading is an important part of school and college life in America with 3 million participants. Many take part in tournaments and the competitive nature of these together with the desire to produce ever more spectacular displays in support of the teams, has led to a dramatic increase in the complexity of the stunts performed. The increase in the popularity of the activity could also be partly the result of many schools dropping their gymnastics teams in the 80’s due to penal insurance policies. The gymnasts migrated to cheerleading as outlet for their skills. The routines are getting more gymnastic and increasingly extreme; leading to many severe injuries and even fatalities.

Injuries

In 2008 there were 30,000 emergency room admittances related to cheerleading. Between 1982 and 2007, 73 catastrophic injuries and 2 fatalities were reported. A catastrophic injury is one resulting in severe neurological damage or paralysis such as that sustained by Rachel Sneath in 2004. Rachel, who was 18 years old at the time, fell during a practice session and was paralyzed from the waist down. In 2005, 14-year-old Ashley Burns from Massachusetts died after being thrown in the air during a stunt. She landed on her stomach and ruptured her spleen. In the 25 years to 2007, 65% of catastrophic injuries in female school and college sport were as a result of cheerleading. Participants often wear no protective equipment and outside of competitions rarely use mats.

Regulation

CheerleadingUnfortunately cheerleading is not officially recognized as a sport in many US states and therefore has the status of an activity which puts it in the same class as chess! If it is not recognized as a sport there are no regulations governing training and good practice leading to inadequate coaching and few safety procedures. The situation is further complicated by the sheer number of different cheerleading organizations across the states which have varying regulations. There is a body who oversee coaching, The American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, but they only recommend safety guidelines which the various governing bodies can choose to adopt as regulations if they wish. There are increasing calls for more stringent regulation but the fact that many cheerleaders do not cheer competitively is an obstacle to declaring the activity as a sport and taking it under the wing of existing sporting authorities. The USASF (United States All Star Federation) have recently introduced new safety rules but this body govern only competitive cheering which still leaves issues with the schools and colleges.

Changes

Clearly changes need to be made. Critical injuries are becoming more common as the activity gets ever more extreme. Cheerleading must gain sporting status everywhere, introduce official coaching qualifications and establish unified safety regulations to ensure the well-being of all its participants and eventually, cheerleaders may indeed have to wear rugby styled head guards!

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Sally S writes on a wide range of subjects – everything from extreme sports to music.

Related Blogs:
Is Cheerleading Considered a Sport?
A Brief Guide to the World’s Most Dangerous Sports!

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