#need for change

[opiatemasses]

Debunking the myth of the level playing field: exploring the notion of equality in English school hockey

England Hockey’s U16 squads were announced recently for the 2023/24 season. Of those selected 80% are privately educated.

On this critical issue the governing body, GB Hockey, are seemingly silent. This blog seeks to address this, highlighting the stark disparities which exist in hockey, as well as proposing realistic solutions. This is a discussion on the challenges hockey faces, where acknowledging the problem is an important first step towards future change.

Firstly, how do we know there is a problem?

Previous blogs on this subject have tended to cite statistics, illustrating the numbers of privately educated athletes representing Great Britain at past Olympics. Other blogs have also referenced Ofsted and their acknowledgement in previous years of this issue which led to the labelling of state school competitive sport as  “average at best”. Evidence suggests this gap has narrowed but, not sufficiently to claim that the problem is solved.

Why does this problem exist?

Past research has identified a distinct difference in outlook between private and state schools which contributes to this disparity. Public schools traditionally use sport for character development and leadership training, in comparison to state schools which use sport more for health and general recreation. This Difference in attitude towards sport has a significant impact on the quality of delivery as well as the number of those participating.

State schools typically have only basic facilities at their disposal and have limited access to the high quality astroturf surfaces required to train and play competitive hockey. Moreover, they would struggle with the costs of providing underprivileged students with the sticks and specialist footwear needed for the game. This all limits the opportunities for students.

In stark contrast, private schools, such as Wellington College (Berkshire, England) offers its pupils ‘16 rugby pitches, two floodlit Astroturf pitches, a state-of-the-art sports hall, 22 hard tennis courts, 12 cricket pitches, an athletics track, two lacrosse pitches, six netball courts, a shooting range, and a nine-hole golf course'.

Sports facilities on this scale unarguably contribute significantly to the likelihood that already privileged athletes from private schools, will succeed at the highest level. Indeed, many privately educated athletes, including those within the England and Great Britain squads, are more likely to benefit from specialist and supportive coaching throughout the players development. They are often educated in smaller PE lessons with lower teacher-pupil ratios. This enables teachers to focus their time on developing individual athlete success, which is highly advantageous within the elite sport context as there is greater potential for student preparation and performance improvement in competitions.

There is one difference that is obvious, yet also possibly the hardest to provide a solution to. Parents of privately educated children typically have enough financial freedom to facilitate a more professional sporting environment for their children which means their opportunities increase. This is often combined with the ability to afford better quality training and equipment, along with greater accessibility to traveling for training and competition. Overall, whether we like to admit it or not, more money equals a foot in the door and that means the chances of progressing to elite levels are heightened.

These are not all of the differences but the most obvious ones to me.

This is particularly prominent and clear in my sport as a hockey player.

This angers me as talent is being disregarded or even wasted!

Possible interventions for this problem?

UK sport has acknowledged the gap across all sports, which is positive for the future. The new ‘talent identification and performance pathway scheme’ has since been introduced which looks to find and nurture children at an early age and therefore increases accessibility to sport and means that the talent pool for British sport is as wide as possible. This scheme is a perfect example of a positive shift towards better equality within school sport.

There is no simple fix, do not get me wrong. State schools are never going to be able to generate the amount of funding required to compete with some public schools. However, just by increasing exposure to diverse school sports experiences, it could enhance equal opportunities for young athletes. Introducing mixed school competitions could be a step forward, promoting more challenging and regular competition and motivating aspiring hockey enthusiasts.

Partnerships between schools and sports clubs for general sport have also been the focus for the government for a long time now in order to drive an increased interest for children with less opportunity which I believe is a really positive move as undoubtedly over time this will drive an increased diversity amongst high performance sports teams in the future.

An example specifically to hockey would be the new programme set up between, National League club Bath Buccaneers and its local state schools. A new outreach program, led by the mother of an under-12 state school player, has been established. The goal is to promote hockey in state schools, demonstrating its accessibility and the growing opportunities. This form of initiative holds great promise, and I believe that overtime it will become attainable for other clubs, through mutually beneficial partnerships between clubs and schools, to replicate the model across the country which could lead to a brighter and more fair future for the sport.

This is an issue that needs action now. Please help by sharing this blog to help spread the message.

N0902768

[curtisdibley]

Is football really what we think it is? The Need for ambiguity

‘Football’, The most frequently played and watched sport across the globe, but why are so many naive to the influence it has over society?

Football has been used as an instrument to enforce ideologies and beliefs in cities and nations worldwide. For the last century, we have witnessed the exponential growth of football and the tight grip it has on people that love the game. World leaders have grown to view the sport as an effective tool for displaying their power and dominance over societies. Alongside this, football directors came to understand the value of globalizing their businesses and reaped the rewards along the way.

 By taking a glance into our own back garden, we can see how Premier League clubs have exploited both worldwide and local supporters with their aggressive marketing techniques. The demand to watch and support English football, which is seen by many as the most competitive and entertaining league, is high, but what has been provided from the clubs that fans love so much? Television rights and merchandise prices that have reached entirely new heights, and a relatively strong relationship forming between football and commercialisation that seems to go hand in hand. It may even raise the question of whether one is managing a club or a corporation at this moment in time.

Image sourced from: https://www.freepik.com

Consumerism and sport have merged into one overtime, especially in football. Merchandise is something every loyal supporter believes they need to own, making them feel just that little more attached to the club that they support. Football clubs and merchandise suppliers release new garments frequently; making it more challenging every season for fans to keep up to date with the latest jersey on sale, which is almost an impossible mission for some. Clubs promote the need to purchase new style overpriced jerseys with large social media campaigns endorsed by the top athletes at the club, seemingly trying to take from their supporters’ pockets. Loyal support just doesn’t seem to be enough anymore. Why are football shirts so expensive? | FOOTY.COM Blog Arguably the most significant stakeholders in the club are those who routinely pay for tickets and purchase products. Many supporters don't place much importance on social responsibility. Even if they do, it appears that many will put their own devotion to the team and fellow fans ahead of any criticism of their club's behaviour.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people all over the United Kingdom. inflation has risen by 10% in the past 12 months and it’s only a matter of time until supporters start to realise that topflight football clubs do not have their best interests at heart. The constant greed from merchandise suppliers in partnership with football clubs is becoming increasingly apparent to the fans that have their eyes open to the current consumer culture. There is understanding from many that if something doesn’t change, there will be a detrimental impact on the evolution of the game.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people all over the United Kingdom. inflation has risen by 10% in the past 12 months and it’s only a matter of time until supporters start to realise that topflight football clubs do not have their best interests at heart. The constant greed from merchandise suppliers in partnership with football clubs is becoming increasingly apparent to the fans that have their eyes open to the current consumer culture. There is understanding from many that if something doesn’t change, there will be a detrimental impact on the evolution of the game.

‘The way they treat migrant workers, gay people. We’re dismissing human rights, it’s not right,’- Roy Keane  (itv)

Looking at football on a global stage shows clear evidence that there is more to football than most people would believe exists. The rise of events, such as the UEFA Champions and the World Cup, is a result to advancement in engineering, political, and economic development. The most impactful being, the introduction of advanced digital technology; The ability for corporations and governments to now use ‘sport washing’ as a medium to propagate their ideologies and improve their own tarnished reputation is very apparant in the 21st century.

Examples of this are all too common. One of these includes the recent controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. Huge questions had been asked regarding the treatment of migrant workers, who helped build the infrastructure for the event. Confusion was the feeling many international football fans felt when they announced the host nation as Qatar. The idea that, Qatar a country that struggles to follow basic human right laws, was given the privilege to host such a prestigious event, didn’t make sense to most.

The topic of corruption has also generated debate over the competition. There have been claims that Qatar bought the tournament by paying off officials, and that the decision to award Qatar the event was not based on merit. The ethics committee's chairman, Michael Garcia, produced a report in 2014 that said the bid process was "flawed," but FIFA never made the contents of the report public and approved Qatar's bid. Not surprisingly, all was forgotten when the billions of fans across the world tuned in to watch their favourite superstars, and football results took the forefront in everyone’s minds. The negative connotations linked with Qatar appeared to vanish overnight in the media. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated; “Qatar will deliver the best-ever FIFA World Cup". Supporters showed their resent towards the president in the stadiums during multiple matches across the tournament. The realisation that countries and supporters where being deceived began to show. Large sporting events have always been awarded on meritocracy, and as soon as supporters were aware of the controversy there was a increase in demand for change.

Football is a sport that has a significant influence on global and local society. The sport has the power to bring people together, promote social change, create economic opportunities, shape cultural trends and movements and even play a role in diplomacy. Football's universal appeal and the values it represents, make it a powerful tool for change in the world. Supporters, Players, coaches and owners all need to be made aware of the influence football has on society and the effect it could have on generations to come. The need for football to positively impact society across the world is needed now more than ever.

[gayforcarstairsgirls]

[marzipanandminutiae]

"hey why are all the barrier garments like linen shirts or chemises or combinations going away?"

"oh we have more washable fabrics now! you don't need to worry about sweat reaching your outer clothing when you can just chuck it in the washing machine!"

"cool!"

[100 years later]

"so uh all of those new washable fabrics are leaching microplastics into our water, and the constant machine-washing wears garments out faster. they're also not really sturdy enough to be mended, so we keep having to throw them out and now the planet is covered in plastic fabric waste that will never break down. also it turns out that the new washable fabrics hold odor-causing bacteria VERY well. so could we get those barrier garments back please?"

"sorry babe linen now costs $100000/yard and since it's been so long without them, nobody knows how to adapt barrier garments to the current styles anyway"

"..."

"maybe try this new $50 undershirt made of Special Sweat-Wicking Plastic Fabric! :) :) :)"

[mybreadsmybutters]

when i was a kid i wanted to be a famous youtuber like dan and phil so that people would gay ship me with my irl best friend and we would be sooo weirded out by it and laugh and make videos joking about it but secretly it would make her realize her repressed gay crush on me and i'd help her through her gay crisis and then we would have a sickeningly sweet sappy romance and read fanfiction about ourselves together... anyways just found out she's married to a guy in the mafia now so i probably don't have a chance

[beebundt]

im busy with an art trade but wanted 2 share some recent scraps of charlie. i haven't posted abt her in years oh my god

[lovelenivy]

mouse bites™

[mintytrifecta]

[image description: the bugs bunny in a tuxedo "I wish all (blank) a very pleasant (blank)" meme edited to say "I wish all of my Jewish followers a very pleasant rosh hashanah". In front of Bugs there is a jar of honey, a stack of apples and pomegranates. In front of bug's mouth there is a shofar.]

[bluebeesknees]

Public Nuisance Nr.1

[strawbunnydoesart]

✨💫Quick WIP of @kianamaiart 's lil magical girl character! I literally love her design sm (her monotone and "I'm done with life" expressions are my favorite shdgjshaksjsj) ⭐️

It's a bit messy and I need to work on the contrast more so it's easier to read,, but I think the overall composition and colors are nice :)) I might work on it a bit more but ehhhhh what if I said I don't wanna

[skeleton-squid-boy]

you have GOT to remember when watching the new doctor who that the question is not is this good. doctor who is only ever actually 'good' once a season at most. THE ONLY QUESTION IS is it fun, camp, and has aliens. also remember the worst doctor who showrunner is always the current doctor who showrunner. now go watch the new episodes as god intended like you're ten years old and still remember how to experience joy and whimsy.

[opiatemasses]

Is football really what we think it is? The need for ambiguity

‘Football’, The most frequently played and watched sport across the globe, but why are so many naive to the influence it has over society?

Football has been used as an instrument to enforce ideologies and beliefs in cities and nations worldwide. For the last century, we have witnessed the exponential growth of football and the tight grip it has on people that love the game. World leaders have grown to view the sport as an effective tool for displaying their power and dominance over societies. Alongside this, football directors came to understand the value of globalizing their businesses and reaped the rewards along the way.

By taking a glance into our own back garden, we can see how Premier League clubs have exploited both worldwide and local supporters with their aggressive marketing techniques. The demand to watch and support English football, which is seen by many as the most competitive and entertaining league, is high, but what has been provided from the clubs that fans love so much? Television rights and merchandise prices that have reached entirely new heights, and a relatively strong relationship forming between football and commercialisation that seems to go hand in hand. It may even raise the question of whether one is managing a club or a corporation at this moment in time.

Image sourced from: https://www.freepik.com

Consumerism and sport have merged into one overtime, especially in football. Merchandise is something every loyal supporter believes they need to own, making them feel just that little more attached to the club that they support. Football clubs and merchandise suppliers release new garments frequently; making it more challenging every season for fans to keep up to date with the latest jersey on sale, which is almost an impossible mission for some. Clubs promote the need to purchase new style overpriced jerseys with large social media campaigns endorsed by the top athletes at the club, seemingly trying to take from their supporters’ pockets. Loyal support just doesn’t seem to be enough anymore. Why are football shirts so expensive? | FOOTY.COM Blog Arguably the most significant stakeholders in the club are those who routinely pay for tickets and purchase products. Many supporters don't place much importance on social responsibility. Even if they do, it appears that many will put their own devotion to the team and fellow fans ahead of any criticism of their club's behaviour.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people all over the United Kingdom. inflation has risen by 10% in the past 12 months and it’s only a matter of time until supporters start to realise that topflight football clubs do not have their best interests at heart. The constant greed from merchandise suppliers in partnership with football clubs is becoming increasingly apparent to the fans that have their eyes open to the current consumer culture. There is understanding from many that if something doesn’t change, there will be a detrimental impact on the evolution of the game.

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting people all over the United Kingdom. inflation has risen by 10% in the past 12 months and it’s only a matter of time until supporters start to realise that topflight football clubs do not have their best interests at heart. The constant greed from merchandise suppliers in partnership with football clubs is becoming increasingly apparent to the fans that have their eyes open to the current consumer culture. There is understanding from many that if something doesn’t change, there will be a detrimental impact on the evolution of the game.

‘The way they treat migrant workers, gay people. We’re dismissing human rights, it’s not right,’- Roy Keane  (ITV)

Looking at football on a global stage shows clear evidence that there is more to football than most people would believe exists. The rise of events, such as the UEFA Champions and the World Cup, is a result to advancement in engineering, political, and economic development. The most impactful being, the introduction of advanced digital technology; The ability for corporations and governments to now use ‘sport washing’ as a medium to propagate their ideologies and improve their own tarnished reputation is very apparent in the 21st century.

Examples of this are all too common. One of these includes the recent controversy surrounding the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. Huge questions had been asked regarding the treatment of migrant workers, who helped build the infrastructure for the event. Confusion was the feeling many international football fans felt when they announced the host nation as Qatar. The idea that, Qatar a country that struggles to follow basic human right laws, was given the privilege to host such a prestigious event, didn’t make sense to most.

The topic of corruption has also generated debate over the competition. There have been claims that Qatar bought the tournament by paying off officials, and that the decision to award Qatar the event was not based on merit. The ethics committee's chairman, Michael Garcia, produced a report in 2014 that said the bid process was "flawed," but FIFA never made the contents of the report public and approved Qatar's bid. Not surprisingly, all was forgotten when the billions of fans across the world tuned in to watch their favourite superstars, and football results took the forefront in everyone’s minds. The negative connotations linked with Qatar appeared to vanish overnight in the media. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated; “Qatar will deliver the best-ever FIFA World Cup". Supporters showed their resent towards the president in the stadiums during multiple matches across the tournament. The realisation that countries and supporters where being deceived began to show. Large sporting events have always been awarded on meritocracy, and as soon as supporters were aware of the controversy there was a increase in demand for change.

Football is a sport that has a significant influence on global and local society. The sport has the power to bring people together, promote social change, create economic opportunities, shape cultural trends and movements and even play a role in diplomacy. Football's universal appeal and the values it represents, make it a powerful tool for change in the world. Supporters, Players, coaches and owners all need to be made aware of the influence football has on society and the effect it could have on generations to come. The need for football to positively impact society across the world is needed now more than ever.

[softichill]

[salt-baby]

yes, doctors suck, but also "the medical ethics and patient interaction training doctors receive reinforces ableism" and "the hyper competitive medical school application process roots out the poor, the disabled, and those who would diversify the field" and "anti-establishment sentiment gets applications rejected and promotions requests denied, weeding out the doctors on our side" and "the gruesome nature of the job and the complete lack of mental health support for medical practitioners breeds apathy towards patients" and "insurance companies often define treatment solely on a cost-analysis basis" and "doctors take on such overwhelming student loan debt they have no choice but to pursue high paying jobs at the expense of their morals" are all also true

none of this absolves doctors of the truly horrendous things they say and do to patients, but it's important to acknowledge that rather than every doctor being coincidentally a bad person, there is something specific about this field and career path that gives rise to such high prevalence of ableist attitudes

and I WILL elaborate happily

[gentil-minou]

Everyday I hate Apple for making developers think everyone in the world wants these bubble/circle updates where a swipe in the wrong direction takes you to another dimension please i like my user friendly ui please

[moniquill]

You folks know that there is nothing inherently dangerous about penises, right? They don't emit radiation or anything. You will not be harmed by being in the same room as a penis.