World Cup Very Revealing
Hello. I've just had a passing interest in the World Cup of Soccer. I was introduced to it in 1984 by an enthusiastic coworker. I certainly appreciate what great athletes soccer players are. While the game is a little dull to me (I'd never watch it if there wasn't the country aspect), it did reveal a bit to me re Canada vs other countries in sports.
Whenever I've asked why Canada isn't doing better in international sports (pro or amateur) the answer I always get is low population. I can safely say this argument doesn't hold water, because of the recent Winter Olympics, where we finished 4th in medal total, and the World Cup.
Australia has 20 million people, as compared to our 32 million. Yet they are in the World Cup. And 4 PGA tournaments have been won by Australians (6 total), and that doesn't count Adam Scott or Robert Allenby, two former winners. And Karrie Webb has finished 1st and 2nd in this year's LPGA majors. They usually kick the stuffing out of us in the Commonwealth Games. And they're starting to have a presence in the Winter Olympics.
Okay you say, but their weather's better than ours. Fine, but that doesn't explain Sweden. They only have a population of 10 million. And they're a northern country. And they're in the World Cup. And they've got great golfers (Annika and a truckload of Swedish men, like Carl Petterson, the Memorial champ). And they do well in the Winter Olympics, especially women's curling.
Guess when Canada's only World Cup appearance was? 20 years ago. We didn't score a goal.
Last Saturday my family went to Ontario Place for a company picnic. It was probably the best weather day of the year, and it was relatively deserted. Combine that with the RCGA survey findings saying junior golf has declined in spite of programs like Future Links, and I start to see a pattern. Canadians in general and Ontarians in particular (only 19% of our Winter Olympians were from Ontario, which is low considering the GTA has more population than 5 provinces) are not going outside for activities as much anymore. And as a result they're not getting to the elite level in sports.
Can these trends be reversed? Unlikely, as a Toronto Star survey found the majority of immigrants are not interested in the "traditional" Canadian sports. Since visible minorities will be the majority in the GTA in 10 years, it means a smaller percentage of Canadians will be playing elite sports.
While we have made progress at the Winter Olympics, it's time to push the grassroots level in all Canadian sports harder. Otherwise, it may be a long time before Canada flags are on cars during the World Cup.
Regards,
Steve
Whenever I've asked why Canada isn't doing better in international sports (pro or amateur) the answer I always get is low population. I can safely say this argument doesn't hold water, because of the recent Winter Olympics, where we finished 4th in medal total, and the World Cup.
Australia has 20 million people, as compared to our 32 million. Yet they are in the World Cup. And 4 PGA tournaments have been won by Australians (6 total), and that doesn't count Adam Scott or Robert Allenby, two former winners. And Karrie Webb has finished 1st and 2nd in this year's LPGA majors. They usually kick the stuffing out of us in the Commonwealth Games. And they're starting to have a presence in the Winter Olympics.
Okay you say, but their weather's better than ours. Fine, but that doesn't explain Sweden. They only have a population of 10 million. And they're a northern country. And they're in the World Cup. And they've got great golfers (Annika and a truckload of Swedish men, like Carl Petterson, the Memorial champ). And they do well in the Winter Olympics, especially women's curling.
Guess when Canada's only World Cup appearance was? 20 years ago. We didn't score a goal.
Last Saturday my family went to Ontario Place for a company picnic. It was probably the best weather day of the year, and it was relatively deserted. Combine that with the RCGA survey findings saying junior golf has declined in spite of programs like Future Links, and I start to see a pattern. Canadians in general and Ontarians in particular (only 19% of our Winter Olympians were from Ontario, which is low considering the GTA has more population than 5 provinces) are not going outside for activities as much anymore. And as a result they're not getting to the elite level in sports.
Can these trends be reversed? Unlikely, as a Toronto Star survey found the majority of immigrants are not interested in the "traditional" Canadian sports. Since visible minorities will be the majority in the GTA in 10 years, it means a smaller percentage of Canadians will be playing elite sports.
While we have made progress at the Winter Olympics, it's time to push the grassroots level in all Canadian sports harder. Otherwise, it may be a long time before Canada flags are on cars during the World Cup.
Regards,
Steve
posted by Irrelevant at 1:27 PM
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