Category: Author – Greg Blood
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It’s time for a universal sport and physical activity policy
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 25 June 2019. I think there is a need for the Australian government to reassess how funding will lead to an increase in sport and physical activity. The government in 2018 released its ‘Sport 2030’ plan that sets a goal to reduce inactivity of Australians by 15…
australiansportreflections
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A critique of the national sport plan
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 3 August 2018. The long-awaited national sport plan Sport 2030 has been released and has an ambitious vision for Australia “to be the world’s most active and healthy sporting nation, known for its integrity and sporting success”. I believe that with this vision it should have be called ‘National Sport…
australiansportreflections
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The impact of Sudanese-Australian athletes on the sporting landscape
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 1 August 2018. Last week, Joseph Deng, a former Sudanese refugee, broke the Australian 800 metres record, set by Ralph Doubell in winning gold in at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. This feat made me reflect on the impact Sudanese athletes are now having on Australian sport. These…
australiansportreflections
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How should we judge funding of Australian Olympic athletes and teams?
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 13 June 2018. Currently there is an interesting conundrum in Australian Olympic sport. The failure of the Australian Olympic team to achieve its target of the top five on the medal table at the Rio Olympics has raised questions about the suitability of medal targets. This failure…
australiansportreflections
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Remembering the contributions of AIS Men’s football to the Socceroos
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 27 April 2017. The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has announced that it will be closing its Centre of Excellence (originally AIS Men’s Football) at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra at the end of the year. It is worth reflecting on the contribution of the…
australiansportreflections
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Clubs are playing Russian roulette with long-term contracts
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 5 April 2017. worrying development in professional sport in Australia has been athletes signing long-term contracts, which could lead to the financial ruin of some clubs. Recent reports indicate that Greater Westerns Sydney Giants player Josh Kelly is being offered a nine-year, $9 million deal with North Melbourne Kangaroos.…
australiansportreflections
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Development of an Olympic gold medallist: A study of Jared Tallent
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 6 July 2016. Updated March 2021 on Tallent’s official retirement. In watching Australian athletes at the 2016 Rio Games, I urge viewers to take time to reflect on where they are at in their Olympics/Paralympics journey – gaining experience or strong contender for a medal. This a…
australiansportreflections
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Are the Commonwealth Games still relevant?
By Greg Blood. Originally published in The Roar, 15 March 2017. The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games baton has just left London, with Australia hosting the event for the fifth time. But are the Games are still relevant in an increasing congested calendar? The Commonwealth Games particularly for many Olympic athletes, has been an important stepping stone.…
australiansportreflections
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Note to Australia: Winning isn’t everything
Originally published in The Roar, 18 October 2016 Thankfully the Essendon Football Club sports supplements saga has come to an end, but it was just another major example of poor governance at a professional sporting club. The Essendon Football Club is far from alone. In recent years there have been numerous examples of poor governance…
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Why the professionalisation of women’s sport in Australia could put Olympic performances under threat
Originally published in The Roar, 6 October 2016. There are many positive developments happening in women’s sport in Australia but some of these developments may have a negative impact on Australian performances at the Olympics. The Hockeyroos, Opals and the Stingers have been medal performers since the 1990’s but none of these teams medalled at…
australiansportreflections