Rugby World Cup Shock Awakes New Friends: Japan 19 Ireland 12

They’ve done it again. Japan the underdogs, deservedly beat Ireland (ranked no.2 in the world) in RWC 2019, after their previous shock win over South Africa in the RWC 2015.  In a word  Japan was magnificent. Relentless energy, pace, strong tackling with man-to-man battles all over the park.  Japan were the better team. Congratulations to … Read more

Thailand’s New Snooker Star, Sunny Akani, Thanks Ronnie O’Sullivan

Snooker Table

A Smiling Star Is Born Last week saw the emergence of a new kid on the block, who took on the world’s best and gave a masterclass in the exquisite skills of snooker combined with the wonderful warmth of great sportsmanship. When the young Sunny Akani (22) dazzled the now 6 times UK Champion, Ronnie … Read more

Fans Sing For Opposition Goalkeeper Who Lost His Mother

NAC Breda goalie Jelle ten Rouwelaar almost in tears

It’s pretty rare for an athlete to get a standing ovation from opposing fans in any sport. But on Friday night in the Netherlands, that’s exactly what happened (reports Isaac Saul). NAC Breda goalie Jelle ten Rouwelaar had lost his 61-year-old mother not long before their game against the Go Ahead Eagles. During the 61st … Read more

Indian Cricket’s Respect & Friendship For Sri Lanka’s Great Kumar Sangakkara

Letter from Indian captain to Sri Lankan opponent

Indian captain, Virat Kohli’s, friendship and respect for his most dangerous and outrageously talented opponent, Sri Lanka’s cricketing great, Kumar Sangakkara, shone like a light across the world of cricket. Their gestures, ‘taught us how to love and respect opponents’.  These images demonstrate a deep friendship and rich respect for each other. Here is the letter … Read more

World Cup 2014 Best Sportsmanship Moments (Part 1/2)

PR Smith, author, sitting on couch with footballs on the wall

What a World Cup it’s been. Shocks, sensations, revelations, great football mixed with the odd  fear packed paranoid game, some crazy behaviour, wonderful goals, great celebrations, great fun, great fans,  – some of whom were literally out of this world and lots of great sportsmanship. Sit back relax and enjoy some of the great moments … Read more

Great Fans – Wenger Stops TV Commentators so French Can hear Irish Sing

4-0 down and with a few minutes left , the stadium in Gdansk is filled with the sound of 25,000 Irish fans singing ‘The Fields of Athenry’ with the Spanish fans clapping in rhythm. The World Champions  coach, Vincente del Bosque, said afterwards: “I thought (with) that the Irish fans and players showed us what … Read more

London 2012 Olympics – Anyone For Olympism?

  It’s 2012 and here comes the London Oympics, but what about Olympism – the reason  the Olympics exist? Olympism was founded by the ancient Greeks. They actively encouraged citizens to develop all of their physical, moral, intellectual, cultural and artistic qualities. London’s St Pancras Station   The Olympic Games celebrated this with the Olympic … Read more

2011 Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments

Top 10 Sportsmanship Moments of 2011 Romanian captain, Cristian Petre, who after suffering a 67-3 loss to England,  was asked by a reporter about the game and replied “I play rugby for happiness.”  More The French rugby team won the toss to choose who wears their own home jerseys in the Rugby World Cup Final … Read more

Riots Provoke Sportsmanship

Street riots broke out in Vancouver after the Canucks ice hockey team lost in the final of the North American Championship (the Stanley Cup) against Boston last month. Police cars were burned, looting and violence spread. One group of Canucks fans did something unusual. Hundreds of  young fans (from Vancouver’s Langley Elementary School) wrote to … Read more