The proposed topic was Sport. Wide, far-ranging, diverse, but not hugely contentious. Members were asked to prepare a short resumé on an aspect of sport and revealed some thought-provoking and unusual angles.
Before this more individual contribution, we looked at the inter-connectedness of sport and its links with social, educational, cultural, political and economic aspects, not to mention issues of health, exercise and diet; funding, resourcing and policing; active and passive participation; media, bias and corruption; inclusivity, selection and elitism. To mention a few.
The success of sport initially relies on the depth and strength of its supporters: active ‘stadia’ spectators or the passive public pub-and-home followers. This promotes media coverage, sponsorship, funding and all the consequences that follow from this. Differences emerged: Kay preferred the national element as presented in large Games; Keith preferred the recognition of individual prowess which transcended nationalistic patriotism; Len suggested that team events, like the 6 Nations rugby could unite communities in a positive way, though the repercussions of this might include tribal prejudice.
Len focused on the decline in sport participation, mostly witnessed in teenagers, mostly females and cited many reasons for this. Some schools recognise that for many girls the traditional team sports do not appeal, and consider offering dance, yoga, skateboarding, trampolining and more individual-based activities. As expected, finance, resources and timetable restrictions dictate opportunities.
Some sporting curios were mentioned: Art had been an Olympic sport in the first half of the 20th Century; chessboxing and cheese rolling are still held. Margaret described ‘White Collar Boxing’ where contestants from (middle-class) professional careers learnt to box and competed for charity.
Kay raised the dangers associated with sports and how much the management of risk might impede a sport’s challenge and excitement. Where should the responsibility of incurring injury lie? Should new medical knowledge be applied to past events, for example, dementia and associated brain injury attributed to years of heading a football, become litigious. In an extension to this, Jenny wondered whether the level of motivation drove high achieving athletes to excess, both physical and mental, and whether the sacrifice was considered worth it.
Len brought contention to the table by suggesting that the Generation Z are largely a ‘snowflake’ generation – lacking in resilience and determination. This view was both defended and repelled in equal measure; the compromise was biscuits and beverage. A lively debate, full participation, interesting ideas, opinions and angles.