This article was originally published on March 22nd, 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.
Soccer news that's interesting me -
The Women's Super League announced a partnership with Barclays, to become their first-ever title sponsor. The competition will be rebranded the Barclays FA Women's Super League and include a prize-money pot of £500,000. Previously, WSL winners have not been awarded any official prize money. The Football Association has called the deal "the biggest ever investment in UK women's sport by a brand".
My March Madness Bracket -
Along with millions of others, I completed a bracket for March Madness. No one has gotten a verifiably perfect bracket in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament. However, here are my choices for this year's tournament:
AFL news that I have been following -
AFLW star Tayla Harris (@taylaharriss) has been targeted for abuse online. After broadcaster Channel Seven posted a picture of Harris soaring mid-air following through on a kick 40m out from goal to social media. Harris stated that the online comments amounted to "sexual abuse."
The controversy raised the issue of how media companies moderate comments after Channel Seven deleted the picture in an effort to combat the trolling. The company reposted the photo after a backlash. They would later apologize saying the decision to remove the image from its Facebook and Twitter accounts "sent the wrong message", after initially defending the move. The broadcaster says its intention was to "highlight" Harris' "incredible athleticism" and that they will "continue to celebrate women's footy".
Harris received backing from Australia's prime minister Scott Morrison as he condemned the abuse labeling the abusers "cowardly grubs", on what he called a “cracker photo”.
NFL news that I find inspiring -
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have become the first NFL franchise to appoint two full-time female coaches. Announcing the hiring of Maral Javadifar (@Maraljavadifar) as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and Lori Locust as assistant defensive line coach.
"I know how hard it can be to get that first opportunity to coach at the highest level of professional football," said head coach Bruce Arians (@BruceArians). "Sometimes, all you need is the right organization to offer up the opportunity. The Glazer family and our general manager, Jason Licht, were extremely supportive of my decision, and I know Maral and Lori will be great additions to my coaching staff."
What I've been watching -
This week I took the time to watch to the famous college basketball coach John Wooden's 2001 TED Talk, “The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding.”
Wooden won 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years with UCLA, as well as winning an NCAA men's basketball record 88 consecutive games. During his TED Talk Coach Wooden shares his own definition of success, “Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort in doing the best in which you’re capable." He also re-affirms his belief that it’s not about winning, it’s about focusing on what you can control and giving your best effort. “Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be, your character is what you really are.”
Have a wonderful weekend, all!
Jonathan