Photo [Saints Sport]

Is it Really a Sport?

By Arthur Dingemans 2 years ago

Read Arthur’s controversial take on whether some of the university’s ‘sports’ clubs really deserve this title.

Our beloved (apparently by some) Athletic Union (AU) boasts “over 55 sports” which students can participate in during their time at University. However, when delving a little deeper into the actual activities included on their list, an interesting question arises over whether some of these “sports” are genuinely sports or just hobbies. Fear not, those of you belonging to these more niche clubs, I am not leading some campaign to get you defunded and you’re very welcome to scold me about these views if you see me in the street or out on the pitch while playing a real sport…

Very close to home, one of my housemates is a member of the Pool Society (already sounding more like an activity than a sport) while my other housemate is a star player for the Men’s 2s football team. Despite this obvious disparity in sporting prowess (one plays football almost every day while the other plays pool, Pablo in hand on Tuesday nights) they both consider themselves sportsmen for the university. While pool undoubtedly requires skill, my aforementioned housemate does genuinely seem to be rather good at it, a debate could certainly be had as to whether it qualifies as a genuine sport with access to Sinners tickets and all that entails. Pool certainly had no claim to sporting status in the ancient world whereas sports such as football and athletics can certainly trace their roots back hundreds or thousands of years. While undeniably skillful, should we view pool players as sportsmen or rather just people good at a game?

Photo [Saints Sport]
The more extreme natural pursuits similarly prompt questions over whether they truly are sports. I have absolutely no desire to climb a mountain as I would certainly fall off at the first opportunity, and thus, while I recognise the indisputable talent of mountain-climbers, I cannot see the sporting element of it. This writer believes sports should both be competitive and feature physical exertion. While mountaineering certainly ticks the second box, the lack of an easy means of scoring oneself against others again seems to label it more as an interest or hobby than a full-blooded sport.

Photo [Saints Sport]
Perhaps the oddest inclusion on the AU’s page as a ‘sport’ is Sub Aqua. While I definitely enjoy scuba diving during the summer, I have never and will never consider it a sport. It is certainly a fun pastime and can lead to many other interests such as underwater archaeology and free diving, however there is absolutely no element of competition to it. Furthermore, although physical conditioning is helpful, being in peak condition is by no means a prerequisite of partaking in the activity.

Photo [Saints Sport]
Now I am sure many of our loyal readers will be shocked by these assertions today, and I hope you are. As I began, so I end: I don’t seek to defund any sports or bar any from AU participation. However, given personal pride is as big an element of sport as any, perhaps more thought should be taken before you next claim to be a sportsman in the presence of an actual one.

Comments

comments

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

308 thoughts on “Is it Really a Sport?”

  4. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed surfing around
    your blog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to
    your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!

    Reply
  10. Pingback: giấc mơ bắt được cá lóc
  11. Pingback: functional testing
  12. Pingback: essay
  13. Pingback: bmo online login page
  14. Pingback: wig
  15. Pingback: pumpkin anime

  17. Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is basically a game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs

    Reply

  19. I think this is one of the most important info for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website style is wonderful, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers|

    Reply
  20. Pingback: free elven dating
  21. Pingback: Urban Nido Company India
  22. Pingback: do prescription drugs have to be in original containers when flying
  23. Pingback: nw pharmacy canada
  24. Pingback: big mountain pharmacy canada
  25. Pingback: euroclub-th.com

  48. Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. Second life is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these Second Life websites and blogs

    Reply

  49. Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a online game where you can do anything you want. SL is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you would like to see more you can see these sl websites and blogs

    Reply

  54. By way of introduction, I am Mark Schaefer, and I represent Nutritional Products International. We serve both international and domestic manufacturers who are seeking to gain more distribution within the United States. Your brand recently caught my attention, so I am contacting you today to discuss the possibility of expanding your national distribution reach.We provide expertise in all areas of distribution, and our offerings include the following: Turnkey/One-stop solution, Active accounts with major U.S. distributors and retailers, Our executive team held executive positions with Walmart and Amazon, Our proven sales force has public relations, branding, and marketing all under one roof, We focus on both new and existing product lines, Warehousing and logistics. Our company has a proven history of initiating accounts and placing orders with major distribution outlets. Our history allows us to have intimate and unique relationships with key buyers across the United States, thus giving your brand a fast track to market in a professional manner. Please contact me directly so that we can discuss your brand further. Kind Regards, Mark Schaefer, [email protected], VP of Business Development, Nutritional Products International, 101 Plaza Real S, Ste #224, Boca Raton, FL 33432, Office: 561-544-0719

    Reply
  57. Pingback: amlodipine nursing implications
  59. Pingback: side effects of prozac 20 mg
  60. Pingback: can you take tums with omeprazole
  62. Pingback: quetiapine bipolar
  63. Pingback: zoloft withdrawl
  64. Pingback: when will lyrica go generic

  68. Does anyone know what happened to Dimepiece LA celebrity streetwear brand? I cannot check out on Dimepiecela site. I’ve read in Vanity Fair that the brand was acquired by a UK-based hedge fund for $50 m. I’ve just bought the Dimepiece Do You Faux Suede Square Pillow from Amazon and totally love it xox

    Reply
  69. Pingback: does hydrochlorothiazide cause ed

  72. By way of introduction, I am Mark Schaefer, and I represent Nutritional Products International. We serve both international and domestic manufacturers who are seeking to gain more distribution within the United States. Your brand recently caught my attention, so I am contacting you today to discuss the possibility of expanding your national distribution reach.We provide expertise in all areas of distribution, and our offerings include the following: Turnkey/One-stop solution, Active accounts with major U.S. distributors and retailers, Our executive team held executive positions with Walmart and Amazon, Our proven sales force has public relations, branding, and marketing all under one roof, We focus on both new and existing product lines, Warehousing and logistics. Our company has a proven history of initiating accounts and placing orders with major distribution outlets. Our history allows us to have intimate and unique relationships with key buyers across the United States, thus giving your brand a fast track to market in a professional manner. Please contact me directly so that we can discuss your brand further. Kind Regards, Mark Schaefer, [email protected], VP of Business Development, Nutritional Products International, 101 Plaza Real S, Ste #224, Boca Raton, FL 33432, Office: 561-544-0719

    Reply
  78. Pingback: 1

  81. I look after a vape store submission site and we have had a listing from a vape shop in the USA that also offers for sale CBD product lines. A Month later on, PayPal has contacted use to claim that our account has been limited and have asked us to remove PayPal as a payment solution from our vape shop directory. We do not offer for sale CBD products like CBD oil. We merely offer promotion and marketing professional services to CBD companies. I have visited Holland & Barrett– the UK’s Top Health Store and if you take a good look, you will witness that they offer for sale a reasonably substantial variety of CBD products, primarily CBD oil and they also happen to take PayPal as a payment solution. It appears that PayPal is applying twos sets of rules to many different firms. Because of this constraint, I can no longer take PayPal on my CBD-related web site. This has limited my payment choices and right now, I am intensely contingent on Cryptocurrency payments and direct bank transfers. I have consulted a lawyer from a Magic Circle law practice in The city of london and they stated that what PayPal is doing is absolutely not legal and inequitable as it should be applying a systematic benchmark to all firms. I am yet to get in touch with a different lawyer from a US law practice in London to see what PayPal’s legal position is in the United States. Meanwhile, I would be very appreciative if anyone here at targetdomain could provide me with alternative payment processors/merchants that deal with CBD firms.

    Reply
  92. Pingback: DevOps consultants

  94. By way of introduction, I am Mark Schaefer, and I represent Nutritional Products International. We serve both international and domestic manufacturers who are seeking to gain more distribution within the United States. Your brand recently caught my attention, so I am contacting you today to discuss the possibility of expanding your national distribution reach.We provide expertise in all areas of distribution, and our offerings include the following: Turnkey/One-stop solution, Active accounts with major U.S. distributors and retailers, Our executive team held executive positions with Walmart and Amazon, Our proven sales force has public relations, branding, and marketing all under one roof, We focus on both new and existing product lines, Warehousing and logistics. Our company has a proven history of initiating accounts and placing orders with major distribution outlets. Our history allows us to have intimate and unique relationships with key buyers across the United States, thus giving your brand a fast track to market in a professional manner. Please contact me directly so that we can discuss your brand further. Kind Regards, Mark Schaefer, [email protected], VP of Business Development, Nutritional Products International, 101 Plaza Real S, Ste #224, Boca Raton, FL 33432, Office: 561-544-0719

    Reply
  96. Pingback: ivermectin for cattle pour on
  97. Pingback: ivermectin tablet price
  98. Pingback: ivermectin otc

  111. I look after a vape shop directory and we have had a listing from a vape shop in the USA that also offers for sale CBD product lines. A Month later on, PayPal has written to use to claim that our account has been limited and have asked us to take away PayPal as a payment method from our vape store submission site. We do not retail CBD items like CBD oil. We simply provide promotion and marketing solutions to CBD firms. I have visited Holland & Barrett– the UK’s Major Health Retail store and if you take a close peek, you will witness that they promote a reasonably comprehensive variety of CBD items, primarily CBD oil and they also happen to take PayPal as a payment method. It appears that PayPal is applying contradictory standards to different firms. As a result of this restriction, I can no longer take PayPal on my CBD-related online site. This has constricted my payment choices and now, I am intensely reliant on Cryptocurrency payments and direct bank transfers. I have sought advice from a barrister from a Magic Circle law practice in The city of london and they said that what PayPal is doing is completely not legal and inequitable as it ought to be applying an uniform criterion to all firms. I am yet to get in touch with a different legal representative from a US law firm in London to see what PayPal’s legal position is in the United States. In the meantime, I would be highly appreciative if anybody here at targetdomain could provide me with different payment processors/merchants that deal with CBD companies.

    Reply

  210. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I believe that you need to publish more about this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people do not speak about these issues. To the next! Kind regards!!

    Reply

  242. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently fast.|

    Reply

  254. Thank you for another fantastic article. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

    Reply

  256. Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your website in Chrome, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, terrific blog!|

    Reply

  262. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that youought to write more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but usually folks don’t talk about these topics.To the next! Many thanks!!

    Reply

  280. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will come back at some point. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great work, have a nice holiday weekend!|

    Reply

  285. Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in acommunity in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

    Reply

  286. This situation document appears to redeem a good deal of audience. Determine how to market it? The idea provides a amazing completely unique distort onto stuff. Reckon offering anything proper or alternatively great offer information about is central to the subject.

    Reply

  288. Hello There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your helpful information. Thank you for the post. I will definitely return.

    Reply

  292. Hello! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.|

    Reply

  306. I am now not certain the place you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more. Thanks for fantastic information I used to be searching for this information for my mission.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Stand