Courtney Aspland - Proud Owner of Lorna Jane active wear For those of you who haven't yet met Lorna Jane active wear, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the latest looks and must haves for your next sporting season. While it might seem a tenuous link to the sports industry, let me be the first to assure you that there is definitely a direct relationship between feeling good and looking good - and the gear from Lorna Jane helps you do both!
What makes Lorna's latest trends news worthy is the fact that in store at the moment Lorna is having a sale like never before! The Active sale is now offering 25% off on selected items, a store special that all my gym buddies agree makes this addictive little splurge ok.
I just wanted reassurance I'm not the only one who can't resist a Lorna Jane bargain, after all, whatever makes me want to exercise can't be bad for me right?
So sports fans are upset about the arrest of a rugby league player who may have bet on his own match? Well, here is the bad news: the wave of sports corruption and match-fixing is just starting and it is going to get really, really bad.
Why? First, there is an unspoken, economic tide underneath match-fixing. This is the globalisation of the gambling market. Ten years ago there were distinct betting markets around the world, but now, thanks to the internet and international television deals, there is really only one large global sports gambling market. This means you can place a bet on virtually any sport event taking place in the world.
How small are some of these sports events? Well, there was a summer soccer tournament for teenagers in Denmark that had bets placed on the matches in the Asian market. There were matches in the semi-professional, third-division Korean soccer league that were fixed by gamblers.
I had a conversation with a triad-connected businessman who placed bets on the Icelandic soccer league, because he thought it was the only league in the world where there would not be fixing. The corruption in sport ranges from games like these to the major international soccer tournaments, where for
20 years Asian criminal fixers have been approaching referees and players with bribes.
Lots of commentators are now declaring that match-fixing is luring in organised crime and gangsters. This is true, but concentrating on the big boys misses the point. The globalisation of the gambling market means now almost anyone can fix a sports event.
So long as a player is not stupid enough to walk into his own local betting shop and place a bet, there is little effective detection possible on the gambling market. The gambling authorities claim there is, but really smart fixers corrupt games every day and the betting industry cannot tell what is going on.
Finally, there is an elephant in the room. Many international sports officials are corrupt. Almost no governmental authority wants to discuss this problem.
But athletes know that some of the people running their teams, leagues and sports are taking illicit cash. Until someone is willing to tackle this problem, then the match-fixing will only get worse.
Weigh in, do you believe match fixing will ever be eliminated?
Luke Doherty, Sports reporter for Sky News Australia and regular contributor to The Roar.
So, the NRL owns Sydney’s west. Who would’ve thought? I usually like it when the NRL does a bit of chest beating. In past columns I’ve detailed how I believe the code constantly sells itself short. But this latest bit of fist pumping and chest bumping has me concerned.
The NRL’s season launch was held at the Casula powerhouse in Sydney’s south west on Wednesday afternoon. It looked as though the NRL was trying to reinforce its position as the big dog in the region. The fireworks, the Bon Jovi song and Benji Marshall and co were all on hand.
The only problem was the message was something that we already know. The message was that the NRL is popular with the people in the area and the AFL, in the form of the GWS Giants, will have to be at their very best to compete for the merchandise and turnstile dollar.
For some that’s inspiring and exactly what they want to hear. For others, like me, it falls well short of the mark.
The choice of location is both irrelevant and significant at the same time. Stay with me here.
It’s irrelevant because the same message probably would’ve been trotted out regardless of where the launch was held. The script would’ve been the same if it was on a boat on Sydney Harbour or overlooking the Brisbane River. But in another sense it’s extremely significant. If you draw a ring around Campbelltown, Penrith, Parramatta and Bankstown then Casula would almost be in the middle.
It’s the centre, geographically anyway, of the most sought after piece of sporting real estate in the country.
Of the major football codes in Australia only soccer is yet to lay down a significant marker.
The GWS Giants are already creating the platform of what should be a successful existence in the region.
I don’t subscribe to the theory that they want to take over that territory. That would be foolish and not even the AFL’s biggest corporate dreamer would think it possible. But what is achievable is becoming a much-loved part of the sporting landscape.
The Eels, Panthers, Bulldogs and Tigers will never be significantly damaged by the Giants. They’ll learn to co-exist in time, but the relationship doesn’t need to be hostile.
Rugby League is religion in the region and always will be.
The code is on the verge of an exciting new era. An independent commission is on its way and expansion is on the agenda. Why not make that the message on the eve of the 2011 season?
Why not make the AFL think about the emerging threat of the NRL for once?
The code will never poach a high profile AFL player, but it can move in on their turf and boast about giving local juniors in Perth and Adelaide another option. GWS coach Kevin Sheedy was extremely vocal after he took charge of the Giants about doing just that. He wants to give kids in their catchment area another choice.
It was almost as if they posted the famous “We Want You” Uncle Sam posters around the area.
It doesn’t have to be rugby league. The AFL is in town, have a sherrin and give it a try. We’ll even give you two more posts to aim at!
If the NRL is serious about striking back then defending turf it already owns isn’t the answer.
Maybe the launch of the 2012 season will prove to be more inspiring.
Clip: 2011 NRL Ad Campaign - Bon Jovi "This Is Our House"
What are your thoughts? Does it some up the season ahead for you, or does it fall short?
This week, new CGI images of some of the 2012 venues at Games time have been issued and they look amazing.
Find below some of the proposed sporting grounds as they are expected to look during London 2012.
An artist's impression of Lord's Cricket Ground as it might look during the London 2012 Archery competition. It is designed to showcase Lord's Pavilion and the iconic Media Centre, to provide a 'sport within a sport' atmosphere.
An artist's impression of how Horse Guards Parade might look during the London 2012 Beach Volleyball competition.
An artist's impression of Greenwich Park as it might look during the London 2012 Equestrian and Modern Pentathlon competitions. A temporary main arena has been designed to focus on the sport while showcasing the Queen's House and the London skyline.
An artist's impression of Lee Valley White Water Centre as it might look during the London 2012 Canoe Slalom competition. The temporary seating has been designed to bring spectators as close as possible to the water course to maximise both viewing and athlete experience.
Sport Minister Phil Reeves is encouraging Queenslanders to get on their bikes and Find Their 30 on their way to work today.
With today being National Ride to Work Day, Minister Reeves said it was the perfect day to look for ways to incorporate exercise into our everyday routine.
“Most of us have to travel to work each day, and one of the best ways to Find Your 30 is to integrate exercise into activities you already have to do. That’s why I’m encouraging Queenslanders to ditch the car and get on their bike today for National Ride to Work Day,” Mr Reeves said.
“This event is an excellent example of the Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative, which commits the Queensland Government to cutting obesity rates by one third by 2020, and in the process making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people.”
“It’s also a great opportunity to get out and enjoy some of Queensland’s great infrastructure, such as the recently opened Kurilpa Bridge.”
National Ride to Work Day is an annual event which encourages regular physical activity and an easy way to help improve the environment.
There are many activities around the state which Queenslanders could get involved with for National Ride to Work Day.
In Brisbane city, a free healthy breakfast will be served up and a Find Your 30 display will be featured at the Ride to Work Day event at Emma Miller Plaza, Corner Albert and Ann Streets Brisbane from 7am.
“The Find Your 30 campaign encourages all Queenslanders to live healthier, more active lifestyles by incorporating just 30 minutes of physical activity into their day and make healthier food choices,” Mr Reeves said.
“Just 30 minutes of activity a day can also help reduce your risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and a range of other diseases.”
the fact that in store at the moment Lorna is having a sale like never before! The Active sale is now offering 25% off on selected items, a store special that all my gym buddies agree makes this addictive little splurge ok. 
match-fixing. This is the globalisation of the gambling market. Ten years ago there were distinct betting markets around the world, but now, thanks to the internet and international television deals, there is really only one large global sports gambling market. This means you can place a bet on virtually any sport event taking place in the world. 
Comments
Post has no comments.