Sportmanship, grace, and class

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networkn

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#208184 30-Jan-2017 18:43

So, I am not specifically a tennis fan, I play squash and this and Rugby are my favourite sporst, though as I get older I have a greater appreciation of a number of sports, and am greatly impressed by how far NZ punches above it's weight in sports.

The last 2 nights I have watched the Australian Open men and womens final between the Williams sisters, and the match between Nadal and Federer.

During the presentations at the end of both matches, I was struck by the fantastic speeches each person gave whilst accepting their respective prizes, including especially the two runners up.

I can't recall a more gracious classy and well-spoken group of sports people and I must admit, it really felt to me, that so many sports people, including our own, could stand to do better in this.

I was impressed also by the strong bond the two Williams sister have, and the family bond that seemed so apparent when they spoke.

It's nice to see some of this, esp with world events being what they are over the past few weeks.

Jas777

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#1713875 1-Feb-2017 12:37

Do you think that due to the nature of the sport (being individual sport) and the fact they have been around for many years they are much better at this?

If you have already won many titles and done many prize givings, media events then you know what to do as opposed to those that lost their first title game or lost 3 in a row etc?

Also do you think the questions asked seem to lead to better answers unlike some of the stupid inane questions asked here?

networkn

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#1713885 1-Feb-2017 12:47

Well, I wouldn't necessarily think so.

Example. I am a massive Richie McCaw fan, but on a number of big occasions like the RWC 2015, I felt he failed to mention the many people who make a tournament possible, the other teams, organisers, sponsors etc.

Yes, we get asked dumb questions like "Can you explain what this means to you" etc, however, I feel if you want to say something off script, the chances are there.

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#1715886 5-Feb-2017 22:35

I've always thought Peyton Manning gave excellent post game speeches and interviews. His retirement speech was fantastic. A class act for sure.

TheLastTherapist

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#1752571 1-Apr-2017 11:38

networkn:

Well, I wouldn't necessarily think so.

Example. I am a massive Richie McCaw fan, but on a number of big occasions like the RWC 2015, I felt he failed to mention the many people who make a tournament possible, the other teams, organisers, sponsors etc.

Might be a cultural thing too. We're getting increasingly conscious of plugs being put in normal media, so when RM goes to give respect to sponsors it just sounds like a paid ad'. Maybe wants to avoid that dynamic.

TeaLeaf

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#1753189 2-Apr-2017 13:58

networkn:

Example. I am a massive Richie McCaw fan, but on a number of big occasions like the RWC 2015, I felt he failed to mention the many people who make a tournament possible, the other teams, organisers, sponsors etc.

I on the other hand think hes a self absorbed massive egotistical captain who always has taken glories for himself, its always about him, but never mentions himself in failures like the 2 world cups he lost, just lucky he almost lost us the last 2, would people think so great of him had he lost them in the dying minutes? oh how fate can make a man a hero to some. IMO hes not our best 8 of all time, the Ice Man was far better and showed a lot more humilty in a less PC period where Rugby wasnt a semi contact sport ;-p.

As for sportsmanship, look a Du Plesis post match of the 3rd cricket test, just short of saying NZ deserved to win it and very unlucky in the first. Now he shines sportsmanship. But in cricket unless you are an aus, generally sportsmanship is a big part of the game. ;-p

networkn

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#1753194 2-Apr-2017 14:20

TeaLeaf:

networkn:

Example. I am a massive Richie McCaw fan, but on a number of big occasions like the RWC 2015, I felt he failed to mention the many people who make a tournament possible, the other teams, organisers, sponsors etc.

I on the other hand think hes a self absorbed massive egotistical captain who always has taken glories for himself, its always about him, but never mentions himself in failures like the 2 world cups he lost, just lucky he almost lost us the last 2, would people think so great of him had he lost them in the dying minutes? oh how fate can make a man a hero to some. IMO hes not our best 8 of all time, the Ice Man was far better and showed a lot more humilty in a less PC period where Rugby wasnt a semi contact sport ;-p.

As for sportsmanship, look a Du Plesis post match of the 3rd cricket test, just short of saying NZ deserved to win it and very unlucky in the first. Now he shines sportsmanship. But in cricket unless you are an aus, generally sportsmanship is a big part of the game. ;-p

I guess there will always be haters. Richie was always very humble any time I have heard him speak. Are you sure you aren't confusing him with someone else. For the record, and since you don't know. Richie played 7 most of his games 148 games.

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TeaLeaf

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#1753217 2-Apr-2017 15:30

Well its not a hater thing for the sake of hit, I just think he was very over rated when we all know he was clearly a cheat on the field and very self absorbed in taking credit for the wins. But nowhere to be seen in serious losses.

I dont think hes our worst player ever, Im just saying it how I saw his career from his personality perspective.

networkn

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#1753228 2-Apr-2017 16:01

TeaLeaf:

Well its not a hater thing for the sake of hit, I just think he was very over rated when we all know he was clearly a cheat on the field and very self absorbed in taking credit for the wins. But nowhere to be seen in serious losses.

I dont think hes our worst player ever, Im just saying it how I saw his career from his personality perspective.

We all know? I don't think we all know that. He played to the rules, when he didn't he was penalized.

There is no stat that RM doesn't completely obliterate most players in. The greatest ever belonged to Pinetree, but even he happily handed that over in RM's last 2 years.

Anyways, this is getting off-topic. There is Rugby discussion if you want carry on the RM thing.

I never saw RM take credit for a win EVER. He always talked about the team. I can only imagine that somehow you are confusing him with someone else.

TeaLeaf

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#1753271 2-Apr-2017 17:04

You are intitled to your opinion networkin, but you cant tell somebody they are wrong for having a different one when it is based on somebodys character. My personal opinion is he was our most arrogant AB in history and lacked humility. you seem him as a good and fair sport, thats fair enough.

I dont think Rugby lends itself well to sportsmanship. Things like RM breaking the rules and getting away with it, is a persons perspective. If you asked the majority of non AB supporters I think they would agree, he was always well known for getting away with things other players cant. Its a bit like the Melb Storm, they some how get away with holding the play the ball down longer than any other team but dont get pinged. Just because you dont get pinged doesnt mean you didnt break the rules.

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#1753322 2-Apr-2017 18:24

TeaLeaf:

You are intitled to your opinion networkin, but you cant tell somebody they are wrong for having a different one when it is based on somebodys character. My personal opinion is he was our most arrogant AB in history and lacked humility. you seem him as a good and fair sport, thats fair enough.

I dont think Rugby lends itself well to sportsmanship. Things like RM breaking the rules and getting away with it, is a persons perspective. If you asked the majority of non AB supporters I think they would agree, he was always well known for getting away with things other players cant. Its a bit like the Melb Storm, they some how get away with holding the play the ball down longer than any other team but dont get pinged. Just because you dont get pinged doesnt mean you didnt break the rules.

Are we confusing sportsmanship to actually playing the game to the letter of the law....or maybe beyond?

All sports lend themselves to sportsmanship, that's why it is called 'sportsmanship

Recent examples that I saw was Damien McKenzie yelling at the ref to stop the game when Ben Smith was concussed. In league I recall Manu tacking a player so hard he was nearly knocked out, Manu didn't even look at the play as it carried on, he stayed with the injured player.

sen8or

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#1805568 23-Jun-2017 11:22

Top international event, crunch match and Lin Dan queries a line call that initially went in his favour. Great example of sportsmanship IMO

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MikeAqua

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#1805576 23-Jun-2017 11:39

Most professional athletes now seem to be able to speak reasonably well and (mostly) behave appropriately.

I suspect they all get coaching and advice on this.

Based on interviews I have seen or heard, most sports academies and scholarship programmes seem to require academic performance and encourage the development of a non-sporting skill set so players can have meaningful careers after sport.

Mike