Lizzie Fluke’s Post

Understanding the Elite Significant Contribution rule. Overview of the ESC Rule The Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) rule was introduced to provide greater flexibility for UK football clubs in signing international talent, especially post-Brexit. This rule allows clubs to sign players who may not meet the standard criteria and points-based system for obtaining a work permit but are deemed to have the potential to make a significant contribution to the sport. #FootballAcademy #SportingDirectors #EliteContribution #YouthDevelopment #FootballTalent #PlayerDevelopment #FootballRules #AcademyManagement #SoccerDevelopment #FootballGovernance #FootballScouting #EliteFootball #FootballManagement #FutureStars #FootballPathways Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA) Association of Sporting Directors

Irish Rugby.. Watching the Glasgow Warriors last night and this article it raised some questions and the need for some home truths- “Irish rugby has everything in place to be the most aligned rugby system in the world, yet there are clear signs that it’s been sorely lacking over the past four-year cycle and a lack of depth in key positions was obvious in Paris last October“ There are then questions around the IRFU’s crude commercialisation of the game alienating long standing supporters. Over hyping. Terrible athmosphere. It’s attitude to a range of issues from alcohol, concussion, gender and human rights. Does Irish rugby really challenge under performance on and off the field which should come with its new found commercialisation or is it still an old boys club albeit one the Irish tax payer subsidies? It’s true there’s excessive demand on tired players and poorer rugby but the golden period we have enjoyed in recent years may not last without the type of serious self reflection which preceded the professional era and which the IRFU is to be applauded for. Rugby is about more than money. Glasgow’s victory, a team with far less investment and hype than Leinster, really brought this out.

Thanks to Raygun, I’ve learnt how Australia can win more gold in Brisbane ‘32. You see, breakdancing was only included in the Paris Games because the Olympic host gets to pick a sport that will only appear at that Olympics. They picked breakdancing. Now, guess what sport LA has chosen for their Games? Gridiron. Yep. They’re calling it Flag Football. But it’s basically gridiron. That’s got to be a definite gold medal to the USA, one each for the men’s and women’s teams. The French picked breakdancing and got a silver in the men’s and nothing in the women’s. That’s their loss. But us Aussies, we’re here to bite into that sweet, sweet gold. So if the yanks are picking gridiron, let’s go out there with Aussie Rules in ‘32. And get this. It actually qualifies as an Olympic sport. Almost 70 countries play it in both men’s and women’s leagues across four continents. Imagine our own Dream Team. Patrick Cripps will be 39 years old, but he’ll still run rings around the rest of the world. We get to pick a sport that shows our uniqueness. Nothing shows our culture and our heritage like Aussie Rules. Inspired by the Indigenous game of Marngrook it is the oldest code of football in the world. You can’t beat that. Help make Aussie Rules a part of the ‘32 Games. Please sign the petition now. https://chng.it/hDz88dbPjX #petition #football #olympics #brisbane32 #la28 #footy #australia #ball #yeah Nike AFL - Australian Football League

The introduction of a second-tier league to support the A-League has sparked an important conversation about the future of Australian football. While the ambition behind a national second division with promotion and relegation is undeniable, its potential impact is still up for debate. On one hand, a second-tier league could act as a safety net, ensuring professional football's continuity even if the A-League encounters challenges. On the other, the current state of the A-League necessitates careful consideration before such an expansion, as any decline could disrupt talent development and the growth of the sport in Australia.  We know that Football Australia met with eight National Second Tier (NST) Foundation Clubs earlier this week and it marks a significant milestone in this journey. The strong commitment and collaboration demonstrated by all parties highlight a shared vision for a sustainable and successful NST competition.  As these discussions continue, it's crucial that we explore how best to strengthen professional football in Australia. This will require more than just the creation of a second-tier league—it will demand investment in grassroots, collaboration across all levels of the game, and building strong connections within our football community. Is a second-tier league what Australian football needs? Please place your thoughts in the comments  #AustralianFootball #SecondTierLeague #ALeague #FootballAustralia #NXTGENFOOTBALL Tony Baddour John Szabo Patrick Skene Kory Babington Craig Kiely Suzie Stojanoska Aqua Wang Craig Foster AM Club Respect

A child's finger near a father perhaps says: "Look, what a big game!" Marcus Smith slotted it for a slim win in final seconds. Danny Care got 100 caps. The mother of England rugby captain Jamie George recently died. Ireland played as Ireland do - a team, attitude and ethos that speaks to 'the art of the possible'. Up there. All of them & beyond. Like Gareth Southgate on the 'round' rather than 'oval' ball front, they walk like us all with ghosts of things past with recast stories of what was, what is today and what could and might be tomorrow.   Jonny Wilkinson talked in today's post-match chat amid this evolving Six Nations series of moments when one is "looking for inspiration in life" and how in the 'game' one is often defined in a moment. That is the world we are in.   It’s only #rugby, only a game, only 80 minutes, only #sport.   As a #kiwi who has lived on this island for more time than I have lived in Aotearoa I get why the business of sport in and beyond rugby plays into various key narratives and marketing initiatives so heavily and so heavily into the global business of business.   Teamwork, focus, delivering to plan, going faster, growing & having a belief that runs up to and through the / our final whistle.   What’s not to like?   Sometimes sport goes beyond a game.   Sometimes moments in sport are metaphors for lives.   Sometimes what one wins is not as important as how, why and when one wins.   Sometimes little moments have a power to change things. That can matter in your world, this world, our world. As always, there is a support team helping players come alive on and off the field. Remember the support. It matters.   Life – is sometimes a game, a story, a moment. No LinkedIn ‘so what do you think about this?’ here …   Just sharing a moment ... from a moment ...   #teamwork #sport #motivation #life #ENGvIRE England Rugby Carpe Diem

Here is a short article I have written regarding the RFU's current policy of not selecting overseas-based players for the England Rugby team. Following the recent controversy over the rule, as a number of current England stars move overseas, the piece considers whether the policy could be considered a restraint of trade and/or anti-competitive, and therefore susceptible to a legal challenge. It is a multi-faceted issue, but one which would appear to have significant harmful effects for English players (and their agents), as well as the wider rugby ecosystem. The article therefore concludes that the policy may well be legally challengeable. Let me know what you think. #SportsLaw #Rugby #EnglandRugby

🏟️ A New Path for Irish Football Ireland has long been a force in global sports, from rugby to boxing, but when it comes to football, we’ve hit a crossroads. While we look back fondly on the highs of the 1990, 1994, and 2002 World Cups, our men’s national team has slipped down the rankings. The women’s game, on the other hand, is thankfully on the rise, thanks to increased investment and the inspiration provided by our recent World Cup heroes. Now more than ever, it's time to focus on the League of Ireland (LOI) academies. The challenges of Brexit have made it impossible for young Irish players to join English clubs before 18, forcing us to rethink talent development at home. We should look to countries like Belgium and Denmark, which have transformed their football systems by investing in grassroots development. We need better facilities, full-time coaches, and stronger connections with European clubs. This isn't just about retaining our talent—it’s about creating a self-sustaining system that allows Irish football to thrive on the world stage once again. A unified, all-island approach to academies and competitions can boost opportunities and elevate standards. The old pathways are closing, but that gives us the chance to forge a new, brighter future for Irish football. #IrishFootball #LOIAcademies #GrassrootsDevelopment #WomenInSport Football Association of Ireland, Leagueofireland.ie https://lnkd.in/eYUhcVby

🏉🧑⚖️ A very interesting piece discussing the Restraint of Trade doctrine and anticompetitive behaviour in the context of professional rugby. The ability for players to be selected to represent their country when playing overseas is a point of discussion that is being raised more often than ever, particularly in New Zealand as more and more players look overseas for greater ¥€£$ and experiences. On a similar topic: Looking to the future ➡️ of Super Rugby and the ongoing discussions of what the competition could look like in the years to come: ▶️ Would removing some control that NZR currently has over the Super Franchises foster a greater level of competition? ▶️Is the extent of control NZR has over the Super franchises and All Black players during Super season arguably anti-competitive? ▶️ Would a shift from central contracting to greater privatisation foster greater competition for player signatures and revenue streams? ▶️Could a draft system bridge the talent gap between franchises? Anyone who has been involved in sport knows that competition is healthy… food for thought 💭

Greeting Soccer Lovers! In the picture is Alvaro "Chino" Recoba, former professional soccer player from Club Atletico Nacional and Inter Milan, now current Head Coach at Club Atletico National. The picture was taken at the Coaches Tour to Argentina and Uruguay at the Training Center Academy from C.A. de F in Montevideo, Uruguay. We are able know all the training facilities and watch the training from the U20 team. Competitive soccer often comes bundled with immense pressure. From the expectations of coaches, parents, teammates, and oneself to the desire to succeed and stand out, it's a constant weight on players' shoulders. This pressure can stem from various sources—fear of failure, the pursuit of perfection, or the drive to meet external standards. Striking a balance between competitiveness and enjoyment becomes crucial. Too much pressure can stifle creativity, hinder decision-making, and even lead to burnout. Managing this pressure involves cultivating a healthy mindset, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, and remembering the joy that drew players to the sport in the first place. Ultimately, balancing intensity and enjoyment is key to thriving in competitive soccer. . . . #fun #4DSoccer #creativity #pro #chinorecoba #enjoy #nopressure #balance #passion

In an unprecedented move, World Rugby recently assisted in the prosecution of a Queensland man who sent abusive and threatening messages to a match official, following a fixture at Rugby World Cup France 2023. The perpetrator was charged and convicted of using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend persons pursuant to section 474.17 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth). As recently highlighted by the Australian Institute Of Sport, the nature of high-performance sport in the modern era is such that an administration’s duty of care now encompasses (at least as a mitigation measure) the protection of players and officials’ mental wellbeing. This extension appears accepted (at least by World Rugby) through prosecutions such as these, given the engagement of an independent third party to monitor players and officials social media accounts for abusive messages at last years tournament. The prosecution, a first for sporting bodies, acts as a clear notice of intention to protect players, coaches, and officials from the “essentially decentralised and self maintained…ubiquitous, borderless and ambient” nature of social media (as eloquently expressed by the High Court in Dow Jones v Gutnick [2002] 210 CLR 575). While the capital required for World Rugby to ensure the prosecution (in some cases) outweighs the applicable penalties, the prosecution serves as a clear indication of the bodies focus moving forward, and commitment to holistic athletic well being. It also serves as a timely reminder for all proponents to remain vigilant in airing any post-match opinions, as the High Court (albeit in defamation proceedings) kindly reminded us: “...having taken the action to secure the commercial benefit of the Facebook functionality, the appellant bears the legal consequences.” https://lnkd.in/gYzCyFDa