Aer Lingus’ Post

I just picked up this ad for tomorrow's University of Oxford v University of Cambridge #Varsity Rugby match on my socials this morning. It took me back to when this was a must-see fixture on the #Rugby calendar. Those were halcyon days when half of the City of London would take a mid-week afternoon off and waddle down to #Twickenham to watch a couple of old mates and a good spattering of genuine international quality players running around the Cabbage Patch. It felt like the pinnacle of university rugby in the UK and therefore by default the world. However, in the post-professional egalitarian rugby world we live in today, most quality young rugby players are nurtured through the club academy system or if they do go on to a University it is one affiliated with, or near, a top club. Therefore, the relevance of this game today must be questioned. I'd much rather these two great institutions challenge themselves with meaningful regular fixtures with other top teams such as Durham University, University of Exeter and the best Welsh Unis in British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Super Rugby or follow Hartpury University and Hartpury College, Loughborough University and #Exeter by competing in senior men's leagues to understand how good they are. I am not sure why they don't. Maybe it's clinging to traditions in the face of change or they don't want to face the potential truth that they are not the best University teams in the UK anymore. I have a feeling it may related to why Eton College and Harrow School still play their annual school cricket match at #Lords or why the BBC allows #Oxbridge to be represented by their individual colleges on University Challenge (when all other Unis put teams in representing their total cohort). Is that fair, or it is just a figment of my state-school, Poly-educated 'chip-on-my-shoulder' imagination? 😉 #universities #BUCS #Oxford #Cambridge England Rugby Premiership Rugby World Rugby Cardiff Metropolitan University Swansea University University of Nottingham Leeds Beckett University University of Bath Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd

GDTBATH

My alma mater awarding an honorary doctorate to Rassie Erasmus. Be it rugby, business or life in general - there is a lot to learn from his approach. Some things that stood out to me: 1) Humble yourself and seek to understand those around you. True leadership does not shout from the front nor does it beat a drum at the back. It reverberates from the core. 2) Look at norms or standards and ask: “sure, everyone does it this way, but is it really the most effective method?” Don’t be afraid to pioneer. 3) Vulnerability is a superpower. Here’s a seasoned professional in a ‘macho’ world of professional sports openly crying during interviews or admitting to past mistakes. Not building a wall around one’s “humanity” leaves one exposed, of course, but the flipside is that openness begets openness! 4) Contextualise your emotions. When asked whether the Springbok squad is “under pressure” to preform at the World Cup, Rassie infamously said that playing sports is a PRIVILEGE, and that real pressure is not having an income to support your family, or being threatened by crime. Before we let stress or panic take hold on account of looming deadlines or broken down negotiations, remember that it’s a privilege to be working toward our goals in the first place, earning an income, being challenged and stimulated. Amazing news North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit and lekka Rassie. Danko!

leadership

If you’re interested in the use of Expected Points (xP) in sport, specifically Rugby, have a read of Brian’s recently pre-printed journal article. Many many hours have gone into replicating this principle in Rugby and although he’s been using it for years, he’s now the first to write about it academically! #SportsAnalysis #Rugby #ExpectedPoints

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The Six Nations. The ultimate prize in international rugby. But what can the 130th edition of this historic tournament teach us about business and running a successful team? Hult professor and rugby fan Maxted Neal shares his top three insights below:    1.) Process over outcome. Focus on each action rather than success itself.  2.) Interdependence over independence. Star players don’t make a team—every member does.  3.) Long-term success over short-term goals. Prioritize clear objectives and time for reflection.     Check out the carousel for Max’s insights in full.    And for more key insights into the world of business, head over to the Hult blog: https://bit.ly/3vb57Gk Six Nations Rugby #hultinternationalbusinessschool #sixnations

Unlocking the Potential of International Football Academies! ⚽ Having the opportunity to work closely with Villarreal CF's International Office, I've gained valuable insights into the dynamic world of international football academies. From Spain's La Liga to England's Premier League, clubs are increasingly recognizing the immense benefits of nurturing talent beyond borders. International football academies not only serve as breeding grounds for future stars but also play a crucial role in expanding a club's global reach and engaging with fans worldwide. Whether it's through showcasing player highlights, training sessions, or community initiatives, these academies are making significant strides in connecting with diverse audiences. Beyond talent development, international football academies also serve as ambassadors for their respective clubs, spreading the values of the game and fostering a sense of community among fans worldwide. 🌍 #Footballacademies #Globalreach #Fanengagement #VillarrealCF #Footballbusiness

Which are the 6 Oldest Football Clubs in the world? Would you dare to guess which ones are? Here is the list: Sheffield FC - The World’s First Football Club (England) – Founded in 1857 Recognized by FIFA and the English Football Association as the oldest football club in the world. It played the first-ever inter-club football match against Hallam FC in 1863. Melbourne FC (Australia) – Founded in 1859 The oldest football club in Australia and the second oldest in the world. Codified Australian football rules in 1859. Cray Wanderers Football Club (England) – Founded in 1860 One of the oldest football clubs in the world, playing a key role in the development of football in England. Hallam FC (England) – Founded in 1860 Founded by cricket players in Sheffield, it introduced the crossbar to football. Sandygate Road, its home ground, is the oldest football stadium in the world. Notts County Football Club FC (England) – Founded in 1862 The oldest professional association football club in the world and one of the 12 founder members of the Football League in 1888. Queen's Park Football Club FC (Scotland) – Founded in 1867 The oldest football club in Scotland and the first non-English club to play in the FA Cup. It played a significant role in developing football in Scotland. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dW5922u5 #SportsManagement #Football

On this Day: Two facts of history relating to The Football Association: 1871 - The English Football Association Challenge Cup Competition was formed, to become better known as the FA Cup. The first final saw the Wanderers beat the Royal Engineers by one goal to nil, watched by a crowd of 2,000. The competition began on 11 November 1871 when four matches were played. Fifteen clubs had entered but three of those withdrew so there were just twelve actual participants. They included the leading Scottish club, Queen's Park of Glasgow who reached the semi-final in which they drew 0–0 with the eventual winners Wanderers. A replay was required but Queen's Park could not afford the travel costs and withdrew. The other semi-final between Royal Engineers and the original Crystal Palace was also drawn and the Engineers won the replay 3–0. The first-ever final was won by Wanderers who defeated Royal Engineers 1–0 at Kennington Oval in south London. The goal was scored by Morton Betts after 15 minutes' play.  Under the original rules of the competition, Wanderers automatically qualified for the next season's final to defend their trophy. 1885 - During the summer of 1885, there was pressure put on the Football Association to accept professionalism in English football, culminating in a special meeting on 20 July, after which it was announced that it was "in the interests of association football, to legalise the employment of professional football players, but only under certain restrictions". Clubs were allowed to pay players provided that they had either been born or had lived for two years within a six-mile radius of the ground. There were also rules preventing professional players from playing for more than one club in a season, without obtaining special permission, and all professional players had to be registered with the F.A. Fergus Suter (21 November 1857 – 31 July 1916) was a Scottish stonemason and footballer in the early days of the game. Arguably the first recognised professional footballer, Suter was a native of Glasgow and played for Partick before moving to England to play for Darwen and Blackburn Rovers F.C. (See Netflix series 'The English Game' (2020) #FACup #FootballAssociation #EnglishFootball #Soccer #HIstory #OTD #FergusSuter #MortonBetts #ProfessionalFootball Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), EFL (English Football League),