A week for Sporting Champions and questions of Leadership
What a week for Champions in two of our major sports - and a prelude for an unprecedented summer of sport after two years of Pandemic-driven abstinence.
As a 55 year-long Man City fan, even I was stunned by that comeback. When you know as a player that three scores are required in less than 20 minutes for a big trophy it requires ice cold mental attitude and the need to be on supreme form when it matters. That applies in any sport. It was very special and personal for that squad - what all sport aspires to on and off the field (bar the pitch invasion).
This weekend in Paris a second incredible football team, Liverpool, will attempt a season's treble against Real Madrid who themselves showed nerves of steel to defeat City at the death in the semifinal of the Champions League. These are unique times at the top end of pro sport. We should treasure these moments.
It’s all about France right now, specifically in Marseille, as what is being called potentially the best European rugby club team of all time attempts a fifth triumph in the Heineken Champions Cup.Toulon, Lyon and La Rochelle as finalists will ensure through their club support that the stadium is filled along with the rugby tourists that follow this great tournament around. Alongside the blue of Leinster of course. Make no mistake, the Irish National team is built from the Leinster model not the other way round which is a huge credit to all at this great club. You have to think they will not be denied and with implications at last for a performance in the Rugby World Cup which will make up for a few decades of underperformance. Anyone remember Ireland v Australia in 1991 RWC quarterfinals when they should have beaten the eventual world Champions? That was the last moment of true expectation.
A thought to ponder - how does leadership look in two of our major sports right now, namely rugby and cricket? I ask because I attended a Sports leadership conference superbly hosted by ex President of the RFU Bob Reeves and featuring Eddie Jones among many other luminaries. The topic was avidly discussed by a number of leading names in the business of sport. Many great buzzwords and some very strong truths but precious little evidence that it translates to our actual sporting landscape.
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The shambolic situation in English cricket shows an unacceptable lack of leadership on and off the field. It felt as if Ben Stokes was the default choice and there is hardly anyone left from the off-field management disasters too numerous to mention. Tom Harrison may struggle for many fond memories.
It is commonly accepted that rugby is struggling to generate leaders on the pitch, with far too many decisions being imposed on them by overbearing coaches. Their lives are prescriptive and predetermined?and unsurprisingly that fails to develop leaders. Worse than that it hinders their development as human beings, never mind their sporting abilities. Those same coaches and administrators are now complaining about the void!
A fascinating solution was thrown up at the conference. Why not create a formal 'leadership initiative' for these two great sports of ours, because there is a clear vacuum. I have to say, it’s a great idea!
PS To be clear, I completely disown the despicable actions of the England 7's team and hope they receive the severest of penalties. If you haven't seen it, take a look, it is a disgrace.
Consultant
2 年The Harlequins model shows it can work, Simon, but alas it would appear that EJ does not trust it. Danny Care has not been picked since an apparent fall-out with EJ and Alex Dombrandt and Jo Marchant do not seem to have his full support despite some increasingly impressive displays in an England shirt. Let's hope EJ sees the light after his attendance at this conference!