Those in SA probably saw all this in today's paper, but for the
'benefit' of those elsewhere, I've included a couple of commentaries on
why team sports are having a tough time , and as much as gliding can be
a selfish sport ( the lead article in the latest Soaring Aust. was a
classic on the consequences), it takes a team to get airborne.
Even those private owners with a self launcher, need an airfield and a
hangar. I would be interested in knowing how many glider pilots fly
totally independent of anyone else and how many keep their kite home,
trailer it somewhere, rig and go flying. Then reverse the process to get
home. The para- and hang-glider pilots can do it, but fixed-wing glider
pilots need at least one other person to sign the maintenance release at
every rig or would be flying 'illegally'.
I digress. The point of these commentaries, I believe, should be
factored into our sport, but how to account for it, I leave to those
with greater wisdom.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Team sport the loser as workers go it alone
CHRISTOPHER SALTER {a staff reporter, I presume}
RECREATION activities such as cycling, gym sports and bushwalking are
competing with team sports as South Australians find alternative ways to
keep fit.
The state's peak recreation industry body says participation in
non-competitive physical activities has increased significantly in
recent times.
The trend is confirmed by Australian Bureau of Statistics figures
released recently which reveal South Australians' weekly spending on
health and fitness centres had increased more than three times in the
past five years.
The trend has been attributed to workers now having longer and more
inflexible working hours.
People want to keep fit but are less prepared to dedicate spare time to
competitive sports requiring regular training and matches.
"The world is turning into a very competitive environment and I think
people want to enjoy things without high levels of competition
involved," Recreation SA chief executive Rose Sage said. "Most
recreational activities can be done at a competitive level but people
don't seem to be doing that."
She said people were opting for occasional participation in less
competitive activities.
The Household Expenditure Survey shows every South Australian adult
spent an average of $13.84 a year on health and fitness charges in
2003-04, compared to just $21.84 in 1998-99.
Bicycle SA executive director Peter Solly said there had been more new
bikes sold over the past five years than new cars.
"We are now seeing CEOs, lawyers and rich people riding bikes.
It is a very large phenomenon," Mr Solly said.
Associate Professor Barbara Pocock, from the School of Social Sciences
at the University of Adelaide, said the trend was in line with research
that workers had less disposable time. She said 26 per cent of
Australian workers were casual employees and simply could not commit to
structured sports.
Ross Smith Secondary School Year 10 student Anabel Fabriczy said
yesterday riding was a good way to keep fit.
"After school and study sometimes its hard to do exercise," Ms Fabriczy
said.
"But you get heaps fit from riding a bike."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why competitive edge is declining in a time-poor world
GRAHAME CORNES {ex-footballer and Crows' coach}
SOCIETY'S move away from structured, organised team sport to other
individual pursuits is not surprising. It's concerning, but not surprising.
We operate in a "time poor" environment, where we barely have the time
to complete the tasks that are important, let alone find time for
organised practice, and the rigid timetable of weekend sport. I suspect
it also is an indictment of our ability to commit to along-term project.
Increasingly young people are seeking instant gratification from their
leisure pursuits.
They can acquire the new skill, if indeed any skill other than walking
or running is required, in their own time without the
pressure of expectant teammates. Perhaps th.is is also further evidence
that younger generations are increasingly withdrawing from personal
contact or communal activity.
Face-to-face and tactile contact is diminishing as more and more
communication is initiated and maintained by electronic means.
The biggest reason, however, for reduced participation in team sports
has to be that the interest in such sports is not being developed in the
formative years.
The Rann government is taking steps to improve this, but sport within
the education system has been allowed to decay, and will take some time
to rejuvenate.
--------------------------------------------------------
Leigh Bunting
Colonel Light Gardens
South Australia
<Open Windows and let the bugs in>
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