Ultimate players selected for GB sides

My final article for the sport section of Concrete, UEA’s student newspaper, released in print on 23 April 2013.

Four players from UEA’s Ultimate Frisbee team, known as Aye-Aye, have been selected for some of the sport’s Great Britain squads.

The sport has grown in popularity in this country and also at university level, with some of Aye-Aye’s players now having the opportunity to represent national sides.

Beccie Haigh is one of the team’s most experienced players, having already played at the University of Sussex and for the Great Britain Women’s and Women’s Beach sides.

She will travel to Cali in Colombia as part of the GB squad for the World Games, the international multi-sport event for sports non-Olympic sports, which take place from 25 July until 4 August.

Haigh first took up the sport as something to play during the summer, having played football for many years, and was immediately addicted to it.

She said: “It was mainly the people, spending the whole weekend with your team makes them become like family. But also the depth of skills required kept me hooked, whenever I felt I had learned to do one thing I recognised other areas I could improve on.”

Aye-Aye will also have two representatives at the World Flying Disk Federation World Under-23 Ultimate Championships in Toronto. Anna Trebble and Howard Storey will travel to York University to compete for Great Britain’s women’s and mixed teams respectively.

The event will last for a week from 21-28 July, with teams attending from across the world.

Storey has been heavily involved with Aye-Aye this year and has played the sport since being introduced to it before going to university. “A teacher at school, who I played squash with, represented the GB ultimate team,” he explains.

“He lent me his Frisbee and taught me the rules and some throws. I would get my mates together and we played a ‘jumpers for goalpost’ version of ultimate, we were all very rubbish!

“Once I joined the club at UEA, I was hooked both on and off the pitch and knew I was never going to leave.”

Meanwhile, Trebble came into the sport to try something new after playing hockey and netball previously, and has enjoyed the responsibility of leading the UEA women’s side while gaining a love for the sport.

She said: “I became women’s captain in my second year and started to enjoy the sport even more. Not only was I able to be fully involved in the club, but I was also able to push myself in my abilities in order to be a good captain, which inevitably got me where I am now.”

Matt Metcalfe was also hopeful of selection for Great Britain’s Under-23 mixed team, but unfortunately did not make the final cut.

Meanwhile, Alistair Middlemiss has been selected for the Great Britain Under-20 Open team, who will be competing at the European Junior Ultimate Championship in August, having also only got into the sport when he came to UEA.

The selections show how successful Aye-Aye have been in recent years, with the national recognition coming after victories against a number of other university sides.

Homophobia in sport: small steps to equality

An article I wrote for the Sport section of Concrete, UEA’s student newspaper, for the issue published on March 5 2013. The original version is here.

It came as something of a surprise when ex-Leeds United and United States midfielder Robbie Rogers came out as gay last month, before announcing he was stepping away from the game.

Just the third footballer to publicly disclose that he is gay, there was an outpouring of support for Rogers from the Football Association and the Professional Footballers’ Association amongst others, praising the 25-year-old’s bravery and honesty.

Rogers’ two decisions were not linked, but it would be nice to think that the level of support he gained from across the game of football might suggest that homophobia is gradually being eradicated. Unfortunately, like the spectre of racial discrimination that continues to linger, homophobia is still rife across the world of sport, with many conflicting messages.

One would hope things had improved from the days of Justin Fashanu, the first openly gay footballer, who was regularly criticised by his manager Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest in the 1980s for spending time in what Clough described as “poof clubs”. Fashanu eventually took his own life in 1998 in the United States after being charged by police in connection with the sexual assault of a teenager.

Sadly, it often seems as if very little has really changed in this regard, as in 2011 the president of the Italian Footballers’ Association Damiano Tommasi said he would not recommend players come out, as football is “different to every other profession” and that homosexuality in football is “still taboo”. However, that view was then contradicted by Gareth Southgate, who said a year later that players would accept a gay teammate, although some fans may not be so tolerant.

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard went even further, saying in his blog that homosexual footballers are “in need of a hero” and that any gay players would be scared of the reaction from teammates and fans.

Little wonder when earlier this month before the Super Bowl, San Francisco 49ers player Chris Culliver said that there were no gay players on the side’s roster and if there were they would not be welcome. However, Culliver later apologised for his comments and began sensitivity training after the showpiece event in the NFL season.

Consider also the first openly gay Welsh rugby player Gareth Thomas, who came out in 2009. When Thomas featured on Celebrity Big Brother three years later, and Oxford City Football Club player Lee Steele tweeted homophobic remarks about the Welshman, the comments saw his contract with the then-Southern Premier League side terminated.

Thomas was praised by many for his decision to come out, as was England and Surrey cricketer Steven Davies, who came out publicly in 2011 having previously been on tour with England to countries like Pakistan where homosexuality is illegal. However, considering the ever-growing tolerance which is growing in other areas of society, there are still very few openly gay sportsmen and women,.

At university level, the National Union of Students’ “Out in Sport” report last year revealed that homophobic and transphobic bullies are forcing LGBT+ students out of sport, with only a third of LGBT students participating in organised team sport, and 37.8% of those saying they are not open about their sexuality with their team-mates. Here at UEA, the number was even higher, with the Union’s LGBT+ survey revealing that 50% of LGBT+ students were not out to their teammates.

However, could Robbie Rogers be leading the way for more athletes to come out in sport? Gay rights groups in the United States believe his decision could represent a “tipping point” for sport, as more people feel empowered to talk openly about their sexuality. Patrick Burke, co-founder of You Can Play, an anti-homophobia in sports campaign group, certainly believes gay players in top American leagues will start to come out, and that it would make “no difference” to their teammates or opponents.

Only time will tell if Rogers’ brave step precipitates more following his lead. However, it is hard to ignore the memory of statements such as that of Brazil football manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who promised in 2002 to “throw [a gay player] off the team.”

Still, as more and more players are open about their sexuality without any public backlash, it is positive to think that sport can follow the lead of the rest of society and embrace players for their talent, regardless of their personal lives.

Brilliant Benteke shows star quality to keep Bent out in the cold

An article I wrote for Goal.com after attending the game at Villa Park between Aston Villa and Reading on November 27th. See the original piece here.

It takes some players a good deal of time to settle in the Premier League before they really make an impact. Christian Benteke is an exception to this, as his goals have lifted Aston Villa out of the relegation zone and kept the club’s record signing Darren Bent out of the team.

Since moving to Villa Park from Belgian club Genk for around £7 million in the summer, Benteke has been nothing less than a revelation, improving game on game and finding the net on a regular basis despite his side’s struggles.

The 21-year-old caused numerous problems against the far more experienced defences of Manchester United and Arsenal, showing the youngster’s ability to give the top teams a hard time on a regular basis, particularly when you consider the relatively close proximity between Villa’s matches against those two.

Combined with his form for Belgium, for whom he has scored four goals in nine appearances since making his debut in 2010 for one of the most talented national sides in the world, it bodes well for his future when you consider that he may not reach his peak as a player for another five years.

Benteke’s manager at Villa, Paul Lambert, has continually sung his praises in interviews and press conferences, with more praise forthcoming after the youngster’s 80th-minute winning goal that gave the Villains a priceless 1-0 win at home to relegation rivals Reading.

In the aftermath of his latest triumph, Lambert said: “His general game is outstanding at the minute and he’s been brilliant for us. I thought the header was fantastic, as he’s up against a big lad himself. You always forget, he’s only 21, he may not hit his peak until his late 20s.”

Lambert clearly feels he can afford to leave Bent out of the club’s Premier League matchday squad altogether thanks to Benteke’s superb form, with the England international having made just nine appearances all season in the league, scoring twice.

Things had looked rosy for Bent at the start of the season, as Lambert named the striker as captain and had apparently decided to use him as the focal point of their attacking play, with support from Gabriel Agbonlahor and new signings Andreas Weimann and the impressive Brett Holman.

However, the Belgian’s goals and general play, starting with a simple tap-in against Swansea in September to open his account in English football, have made him a force to be reckoned with for opposition defences and could also perhaps attract the interest of other clubs both in England and in Europe.

Lambert is clearly a fan, not just of the Belgian’s goalscoring ability, but also his attitude and application since arriving in Birmingham.

He said: “[Benteke is] a strong lad, but it’s not just about being strong, he’s got good ability, which is important. He does get chances, the thing about Christian is he always seems to get a chance whether it’s a header or a shot. I’ve been delighted with him.”

With Benteke quickly becoming what Lambert describes as a “fans’ favourite” among the Villa Park faithful, it looks likely that the youngster with a bright future will continue to lead the line for a long time to come, with seemingly little chance of Bent being able to force his way past the big striker.

Classy Chelsea overcome difficult week to look like genuine title contenders

Another feature I wrote for Goal.com after Chelsea’s 4-1 victory over Norwich City on 6 October. Have a read of the original piece here.

All eyes were on Chelsea after a turbulent week off the field, with their critics trying to find any way to increase the pressure.

That they responded with a 4-1 demolition of Norwich City at Stamford Bridge shows that, despite any lingering problems, this Blues side are possible Premier League winners.

Things had not looked so rosy for the Blues early in the game, as Grant Holt gave the Canaries an early lead, and, at that stage, the pressure seemed to be mounting further on the home side.

This swift strike came after a week that saw the Football Association release a 63-page report detailing their guilty verdict against John Terry for his use of racist language towards Anton Ferdinand.

However, after Holt set the cat amongst the pigeons, the Blues roared back with three goals in 17 minutes before half-time, including a header from Fernando Torres that levelled the scores.

They continue to be inspired by the play of Juan Mata, whose two assists against the Canaries took his tally to five in as many domestic matches.

This provision for his team-mates, coupled with four goals, shows that the Spaniard is at the very top of his game right now and presents a tremendous threat every time he goes forward.

Mata is joined in a stunning attacking quartet by Eden Hazard, Oscar and Torres, with even the Spanish No.9 beginning to find the sort of form that made him so feared by Premier League defences while at Liverpool.

They look a terrifying prospect going forward and, despite the potential four-game suspension of their captain, subject to any appeal, the Blues’ defence should be more than capable of coping with his absence.

What is unclear is the immediate future of Cole, who will now face the consequences of his ill-advised outburst on Friday.

In his press conference after the game, manager Roberto Di Matteo confirmed that Cole will be disciplined for his conduct, as off-field problems still linger for the Blues.

The Italian acknowledged that the England man “apologised unreservedly” for his angry message but the action to be taken against him means that there remain issues to be addressed in the squad despite their unbeaten Premier League start.

The potential consequences for Cole, however, should not detract from this performance from Chelsea, or their title aspirations.

With an attacking verve that has taken them ahead of champions Manchester City by four points, Blues fans can be confident, even at this early stage.

A big test awaits in their next Premier League game, as they face Tottenham at White Hart Lane, another side who have looked highly impressive this season and have aspirations for Champions League qualification.

That Andre Villas-Boas is, of course, the man in the Spurs dugout this term adds another layer to that encounter, with the Portuguese likely to be desperate to get one over the side with whom he spent eight unhappy months last season.

However, on the basis of this performance and their recent displays, the Blues should be very hopeful about the future and safe in the knowledge that any off-field problems should be resolved very soon.

Turkish delight Sahin shows star quality for Liverpool and Rodgers

This post is a feature piece I wrote for Goal.com after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion in the Capital One Cup. Click here for the original version.

Prior to Liverpool’s League Cup trip to West Brom, midfielder Nuri Sahin told Ntvspor in Turkey that he was “seven to 10 days” away from full match fitness.

Yet after a scintillating performance against the Baggies, Reds fans must be relishing the thought of Sahin at peak fitness, if he is not there already.

The Turk was vital for the Merseyside club as they began the defence of the trophy they won last season on a cold night in the Midlands.

Scored both goals for the Reds, and was a key cog in the centre of midfield both in his attacking play and defensive contributions. Sahin scored both goals as a young Reds side overcame a difficult test at the Hawthorns, capping a very encouraging night for the club.

These goals, added to his assist against Young Boys in the Europa League, points to a player brimming with quality, who will now surely be asked to perform in the Premier League.

Sahin was left on the bench for Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United, but with Jonjo Shelvey banned following his sending off, the Turk must now be ready to step in for the club’s next game against Norwich on Saturday.

Shelvey appeared to have been above the Turk in the midfield pecking order, having made four appearances in the Premier League so far this season. However, his three-game suspension has opened the door for Sahin, and on the strength of his recent performances, he looks ready to take his chance.

The Real Madrid loanee has struggled with injury problems in his career so far, and has only made four appearances in La Liga for the Spanish champions since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2011.

However, Liverpool fans will be hopeful that the midfielder can regain the form that saw him voted the Bundesliga player of the season in 2010-11, a campaign in which he made 30 appearances in the league, scoring six goals and providing eight assists.

His six-year contract with Los Merengues suggested that the Spanish giants saw Sahin as a superb prospect for the future, and that they were keen for him to play a key role for them in the future despite previous injury problems.

Sahin’s passing, vision and decision-making will all be crucial as Brendan Rodgers looks to implement his style of football with the Reds, and the Turkish midfield maestro could prove to be the perfect foil for captain Steven Gerrard in what could be a highly effective central midfield pairing.

He may have only arrived at Anfield to gain regular first-team football after a frustrating spell on the sidelines with injury, but his past performances in Germany show that when Sahin plays, he quickly becomes a key part of his team.

While he has only shown his true quality for Liverpool in a Europa League tie and a League Cup game, he has all the qualities to make an impression on the Premier League and become a regular in Rodgers’ side this season.

Reds fans will now be hoping that the young Turk can put his past injury problems behind him and put some of his enormous potential to good use on a regular basis.

Scott Sinclair’s move to Manchester City could damage his football career

Ambition is definitely something to be admired in young footballers. However, the ambition demonstrated by Scott Sinclair in his move to Manchester City should be regarded with caution.

In the worst-case scenario, it could be highly detrimental to his career and his development as a Premier League footballer.

The warning signs are there for Sinclair in the shape of Adam Johnson, another highly talented English winger who recently made the move away from the Etihad Stadium to Sunderland for £10 million.

A product of Middlesbrough’s youth academy, Johnson was regarded as one of the hottest properties in English football, with some even regarding him more highly than his Riverside contemporary, Stewart Downing.

Johnson made the move to Manchester in February 2010 for an undisclosed fee, and then spent three seasons on the fringes of the City first team, impressing when given the chance on the field by unable to secure himself regular time on the pitch.

After a frustrating spell with the club, where he made 97 appearances in all competitions and scored 15 goals, Johnson has now returned to the north east with Sunderland, hoping to truly fulfil his early promise in the red and white of the Black Cats, and hold onto his place in the England squad.

Whether Johnson’s move to Manchester prevents his career developed as it had once promised, only time will tell. However, his example could be an object lesson for Sinclair, another young and exciting English winger who appears to have a bright future ahead of him.

Sinclair began his career as a trainee at Chelsea, but could not break into the Blues’ first team, as players of the calibre of Damien Duff, Jesper Gronjkaer and Arjen Robben stood in his way.

Several loan spells saw Sinclair play for clubs such as Crystal Palace and Birmingham City, before Chelsea chose not to renew his contract in 2010 and release him. From there, the then-21-year-old was forced to work his way up the English football pyramid with Swansea, who took him on a free transfer.

Great success has since followed for Sinclair, as he helped the Swans seal promotion from the Championship, culminating in a superb hat-trick in the play-off final victory over Reading at Wembley in 2011.

His and Swansea’s first season in the Premier League, with both the club and their star winger enjoyed a great deal of success, as the Swans finished 11th.
On a personal level, Sinclair played a key role in the Welsh side’s exciting brand of football, and he played in all 38 Premier League games for the club, scoring eight goals and providing numerous assists from the left wing.

His form took him to the Olympic Games during the summer, making four appearances for Stuart Pearce’s side and scoring one goal against the United Arab Emirates as Great Britain reached the quarter finals of the London tournament.

This summer, he refused to sign a new contract with the Swans, and was subject to a bid from the Premier League champions that was accepted on August 25th, and will now join up with his new team-mates.

However, this move could be a negative one for Sinclair. As of now, he is not quite the game-changing winger that can gain extensive first-team football in the City side. Perhaps in a few years, he could be an England regular and a world-class winger, but he is neither of those right now.

In David Silva, Sinclair has a potential mentor who happens to be one of the best in his position in the world. However, Sinclair will find himself below Silva in the pecking order, and as with Johnson, his career could suffer if he does not gain regular time on the pitch.

Currently, Scott Sinclair is a very exciting prospect who should go right to the top of English football, and be a key member of the national side. However, while he may learn a lot at Manchester City, it may be slightly too early for him to ply his trade with one of England’s top clubs.

Senegal’s football future looks rosy after Olympic efforts

Ten years ago, at the 2002 World Cup, Senegal shocked the world in their debut in the tournament, beating then-world champions France 1-0 in the opening game of the competition.

The result caused a sensation, as Papa Bouba Diop’s 30th-minute goal and subsequent dance around his shirt at the corner flag brought back memories of Cameroon’s fabulous run in the 1990 World Cup.

The Senegalese then followed that result with draws against Denmark and Uruguay, to qualify from their group in second place, and a second-round match with Sweden.

The drama continued against the Swedes, as after falling behind to a Henrik Larsson strike in the 11th minute, Henri Camara struck an equaliser in the first half, then a ‘Golden Goal’ in the 104th minute, securing his country’s passage to the World Cup quarter-finals.

Unfortunately, Senegal came unstuck in extra time against Turkey in the quarter-finals, conceding a ‘Golden Goal’ themselves this time to Illhan Mansiz, but their team of relative unknowns had made a superb impression on the world of football, and many then transferred to big clubs in Europe, especially in the English Premier League.

Now, ten years later, a new crop of Senegalese players have once again made a big impression on the world, this time as they reached the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games football tournament before losing in extra time to Mexico.

In the aftermath of that defeat, could their squad of young players be about to make the step up, and be another generation of Senegalese footballers that impose themselves on the top leagues of European football?

The indications so far look promising. Firstly, one player who looked impressive was goalkeeper Ousmane Mane, who currently plays for his hometown club Diambars in Senegal. The 21-year-old Mane showed a great command of his penalty area, and especially against Mexico exhibited a great deal of bravery in the face of the Central Americans’ relentless attacks. Surely he will look to make a step up from Senegal’s National League 2 Poule B, the second tier of their club football.

Further up the pitch, defender Pape Souare is another who brought a great deal of attention to himself. His defensive play was superb, and his crossing ability was second-to-none for most of the time, as he gave opposition defences a great deal of concerns. He currently plays for Lille in France’s Ligue 1, and while they finished third last season, his performances may well have caught the attention of other clubs on the continent, particularly those in need of a left-back who can also deliver a killer cross.

Finally, striker Moussa Konate was arguably Senegal’s best player of the tournament, as he scored five of their six goals, topping the leading goalscorer charts after the quarter-final stage ahead of Brazil’s Leandro Damiao. His clinical finishing will almost certainly have attracted the attention of numerous clubs across Europe, with various Premier League clubs including West Ham, Stoke and Newcastle reportedly interested in securing his signature. If the newspapers are to be believed, Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv are highly unlikely to hold onto their new star striker.

Unfortunately, these performances by those players must be taken in context. Some good performances at a major international tournament does not mean world domination by any means. One only has to look at the case of El Hadji Diouf, one of the stars of Senegal’s 2002 World Cup campaign but found wanting at the highest level of English football after a big-money move to Liverpool.

However, those three players and many other besides should be seen as good prospects for the future, having gone a long way to proving themselves and showing their potential to the wider world. Expect intense speculation over the coming weeks, as their respective futures become clearer during the summer transfer window.