Port Soif: Fine facilities, little ambition. (0601110)
ISLAND sport has so much going for it, but the trouble is half of those who play it think of only one thing – themselves.
I have had cause actually to sympathise with a colleague this week, when the norm is to rib him constantly about his cricketing allegiances.
Why, he could even be a Flybe Sporting Hero, such has been his dedication in the face of rejection.
The one they call ‘Scooners’ has manfully set out to field his strongest possible Rovers team for the start of the club’s 2008 NatWest CI League campaign at home to Old Victorians, and the poor bloke has been brought to his knees by the mental anguish of another set of our island sportsmen whose allegiance is not what it should be.
It seems endemic down Port Soif way.
Great facilities, a history of hard-working stalwarts providing sport for their members, and seemingly so little sporting ambition.
Mind you they are not alone.
Little appreciation of the work that goes on in to so many of our clubs and sports by an ever-dwindling band of willing volunteers, is fast becoming a trait of modern sport.
Players suit themselves more than ever, not truly caring for the club, happy to play when things are going well, too busy for action when it is not.
It’s a large reason why the social football leagues are happy to de-affiliate from the GFA, because the body that is the most organised and offers them the best pathway restricts their freedom of choice to do what they want and exactly when they want.
Selfish sportsmen and women rile me more than most things and they are everywhere.
One person who bucks that ugly trend and appreciates the background to his own success is athlete Dale Garland.
Athletics is notorious for churning out stars interested in only one thing – themselves – but Garland’s attitude belongs to a more Corinthian era.
His Olympic selection is fully merited, no matter what anyone on Facebook or a BBC Sport comment page, might say.
The guy is a credit to himself, his family, his sport and the island.
Garland, I know, is itching to play football again and this winter will probably head a speedy Rangers frontline with Jonny Veron and Ross Allen.
He could have quit Rangers years back when he was playing football seriously, but has shown loyalty and commitment to the club that served him so well as a junior.
But, sadly, not enough follow his lead and in our ever-cosier, lazy island environment, lack of loyalty to a club and obligation to others, are growing by the year.
THERE is a misconception that I have it in for football’s social leagues, both of which have now de-affiliated from the Guernsey Football Association.
Far from it. I can assure everyone despite the ‘Mickey Mouse’ jibes which I used merely to accentuate the social aspect of the leagues, they are worthy and run by well-meaning individuals.
I have always contended that the social leagues are an important part of the grassroots structure of Guernsey football. The only problem is that it had grown too big and influential and began harming the main competitive structure. Something had to be done to curb them, the GFA acted – perhaps too clumsily – and all hell was let loose.
I strongly suspect that, in time, perhaps one season, maybe two or three, the social leagues will realise what they are missing and return under the GFA’s wing.
As Scott Falla, the SSL’s retiring treasurer stated on Thursday night, the whole football scene is a mess, but rather than heap all the blame on the previous GFA hierarchy, the social leagues should take a long look in the mirror themselves.
In the meantime, the Guernsey FA Cup has surely expired. Such a shame.
Where is the commitment, Rovers?
ISLAND sport has so much going for it, but the trouble is half of those who play it think of only one thing – themselves.
I have had cause actually to sympathise with a colleague this week, when the norm is to rib him constantly about his cricketing allegiances.
Why, he could even be a Flybe Sporting Hero, such has been his dedication in the face of rejection.
The one they call ‘Scooners’ has manfully set out to field his strongest possible Rovers team for the start of the club’s 2008 NatWest CI League campaign at home to Old Victorians, and the poor bloke has been brought to his knees by the mental anguish of another set of our island sportsmen whose allegiance is not what it should be.
It seems endemic down Port Soif way.
Great facilities, a history of hard-working stalwarts providing sport for their members, and seemingly so little sporting ambition.
Mind you they are not alone.
Little appreciation of the work that goes on in to so many of our clubs and sports by an ever-dwindling band of willing volunteers, is fast becoming a trait of modern sport.
Players suit themselves more than ever, not truly caring for the club, happy to play when things are going well, too busy for action when it is not.
It’s a large reason why the social football leagues are happy to de-affiliate from the GFA, because the body that is the most organised and offers them the best pathway restricts their freedom of choice to do what they want and exactly when they want.
Selfish sportsmen and women rile me more than most things and they are everywhere.
One person who bucks that ugly trend and appreciates the background to his own success is athlete Dale Garland.
Athletics is notorious for churning out stars interested in only one thing – themselves – but Garland’s attitude belongs to a more Corinthian era.
His Olympic selection is fully merited, no matter what anyone on Facebook or a BBC Sport comment page, might say.
The guy is a credit to himself, his family, his sport and the island.
Garland, I know, is itching to play football again and this winter will probably head a speedy Rangers frontline with Jonny Veron and Ross Allen.
He could have quit Rangers years back when he was playing football seriously, but has shown loyalty and commitment to the club that served him so well as a junior.
But, sadly, not enough follow his lead and in our ever-cosier, lazy island environment, lack of loyalty to a club and obligation to others, are growing by the year.
THERE is a misconception that I have it in for football’s social leagues, both of which have now de-affiliated from the Guernsey Football Association.
Far from it. I can assure everyone despite the ‘Mickey Mouse’ jibes which I used merely to accentuate the social aspect of the leagues, they are worthy and run by well-meaning individuals.
I have always contended that the social leagues are an important part of the grassroots structure of Guernsey football. The only problem is that it had grown too big and influential and began harming the main competitive structure. Something had to be done to curb them, the GFA acted – perhaps too clumsily – and all hell was let loose.
I strongly suspect that, in time, perhaps one season, maybe two or three, the social leagues will realise what they are missing and return under the GFA’s wing.
As Scott Falla, the SSL’s retiring treasurer stated on Thursday night, the whole football scene is a mess, but rather than heap all the blame on the previous GFA hierarchy, the social leagues should take a long look in the mirror themselves.
In the meantime, the Guernsey FA Cup has surely expired. Such a shame.
Article posted on 2nd August, 2008 - 9.29am