This article was originally published on August 30th, 2019.
Here is this week's dose of “5-Point Friday”. A weekly round-up of the sports news and stories that I find most interesting and enjoyable.
Hockey news that is interesting me -
More than 200 of the world’s top female ice hockey players who have pledged to not compete in North America this season in an attempt to gain better pay and working conditions have launched their own competition known as the ‘Dream Gap Tour’. The Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association announced a multi-city four-team tournament, starting in Toronto. The tour will continue to Hudson, New Hampshire, before heading to Chicago, with additional tour stops still being considered, which includes Southern California and Buffalo. Adidas has already announced that it is on board to support the events as a sponsor, and the players have also been backed by Billie Jean King Enterprises.
Motor Sports news that I am excited by -
Formula 1 announced that it will be expanding the 2020 season to a record 22-race year. The new race calendar will feature two new races in the Netherlands and Vietnam.
Soccer news that I was disappointed by -
League One club Bury has been expelled by the English Football League after a takeover bid from C&N Sporting Risk collapsed. Bury is the first team to drop out of the EFL since Maidstone's liquidation in 1992. League One will now only comprise of 23 teams for the rest of the season, with only three teams to be relegated.
Football story that I am following -
Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) has called on sports' governing bodies to allow the use of cannabis oil in injury recovery. Gronk formed a partnership with CBDMedic, after retiring from the NFL earlier this year. Currently CBD is banned in the NFL but Gronk says he is "pain-free" for the first time in a decade through its use.
Series that captivated me -
The ten-part documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive by Netflix, reminded me why I wanted to join the sport when I was younger. The series follows team owners, managers and drivers throughout the 2018 season, and the issues they have to deal with. Although I wish that the series did delve a little deeper into the tactics and strategy of the races and the political side coming from the FIA. Despite this the series gives sports fans with a little understanding of the sport a reason to tune in to a live race. Netflix has already announced that a second season is set to be released next year, covering the ongoings of the current 2019 season.
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan