My 12-year-old daughter, a member of three sports clubs in Newham, started saving Christmas and birthday money to buy Olympics tick ets. Two weeks at home in the Olympic borough would replace an annual holiday. We spent hours trying to make a purchase. Our saving and time spent clicking were rewarded with not a single ticket.
This frustration was compounded when we saw rows of empty seats just half a mile from our home and then discovered that at least a fifth of seats are reserved for the Olympic family and their corporate friends (Army brought in to fill seats, 30 July) . The ticketing process is seriously flawed and designed to ensure that those who make a profit through encouraging obesity prevail over those who want to see and learn from their role models. So much for the commitment to "inspire a generation" and "create step change in sporting participation".
Simon Shaw
Stratford,...
This frustration was compounded when we saw rows of empty seats just half a mile from our home and then discovered that at least a fifth of seats are reserved for the Olympic family and their corporate friends (Army brought in to fill seats, 30 July) . The ticketing process is seriously flawed and designed to ensure that those who make a profit through encouraging obesity prevail over those who want to see and learn from their role models. So much for the commitment to "inspire a generation" and "create step change in sporting participation".
Simon Shaw
Stratford,...
- 7/30/2012
- The Guardian - Film News
With 80 minutes against an unwavering Wales the prize next week, one of Europe’s oldest battles took place once again, as the French looked to ensure they were not knocked out of the World Cup by England for the third tournament in a row.
With both teams coming into the game with far from perfect build ups, even the most experienced commentators were struggling to call this one. With no real form between them and countless off-field distractions, it was England who started the brighter, threatening down one wing, then the other.
A stolen line-out 5 metres from the French line pushed the England back, but they seemed to be keeping their promise to hit the ground running. However this promise was swiftly broken.
With England initially appearing to be trying to be more disciplined they soon were back to old ways, Toby Flood penalised for not releasing at a tackle.
With both teams coming into the game with far from perfect build ups, even the most experienced commentators were struggling to call this one. With no real form between them and countless off-field distractions, it was England who started the brighter, threatening down one wing, then the other.
A stolen line-out 5 metres from the French line pushed the England back, but they seemed to be keeping their promise to hit the ground running. However this promise was swiftly broken.
With England initially appearing to be trying to be more disciplined they soon were back to old ways, Toby Flood penalised for not releasing at a tackle.
- 10/8/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
Headline writers found their jobs made easier yet again today as it was revealed Manu Tuilagi, the England centre, had been fined Nz$10,000 for wearing a sponsored mouth guard, contravening the International Rugby Board’s (Irb) strict Rugby World Cup terms on participation, which are designed to protect official tournament sponsors.
Although in itself not a huge issue, it is the latest in an increasingly long line of events that have occurred in New Zealand that have seen England featuring on the front pages, rather than just the back.
Manu has professed his innocence in what could have been a genuine mistake. But the fact his brother Alesana, currently part of the Samoa squad, was also sanctioned for the same offence last week could lead to a few eyebrows being raised. And when it comes to eyebrows, Martin Johnson fends off all-comers.
So what is going on with England? Well...
Although in itself not a huge issue, it is the latest in an increasingly long line of events that have occurred in New Zealand that have seen England featuring on the front pages, rather than just the back.
Manu has professed his innocence in what could have been a genuine mistake. But the fact his brother Alesana, currently part of the Samoa squad, was also sanctioned for the same offence last week could lead to a few eyebrows being raised. And when it comes to eyebrows, Martin Johnson fends off all-comers.
So what is going on with England? Well...
- 10/4/2011
- by Simon Gallagher
- Obsessed with Film
With seven changes to the team that beat Georgia 41-10 last Sunday, all the headlines were on Hrh Mike Tindall, who has been targeted by the media following the release of CCTV footage of him talking to a woman. The fact nothing of note actually happened has been overlooked by the papers, and it’s not something I would expect to affect Tindall’s performance as he replaces Shontayne Hape. Martin Johnson is clever enough not to take the risk if he even thought there was a chance. And who would argue with Johnno? Anyone? Exactly…
In what could be considered close to the first choice Xv, Mark Cueto makes his return for the unfortunate Delon Artmitage. Manu Tuilagi is given another chance to find his feet at the top level at outside centre, and Jonny Wilkinson slots back in to fly-half after an encouraging performance last week from Toby Flood.
In what could be considered close to the first choice Xv, Mark Cueto makes his return for the unfortunate Delon Artmitage. Manu Tuilagi is given another chance to find his feet at the top level at outside centre, and Jonny Wilkinson slots back in to fly-half after an encouraging performance last week from Toby Flood.
- 9/22/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
As I sat at an hour that time forgot and my shoulders draped in an England flag (thanks 02) doubling as a poor excuse for a duvet, my overwhelming feeling for this game was “please be better England.”
Not “please win”, just better. Why? Well this game, with the greatest respect, was not one that should have been thought of as a ‘maybe’. Admittedly the Georgians have made great strides from World Cup’s of old (anyone remember 85-6 against England in 2003?) and gave the Scots a though time earlier this week, but given our standing in the world game, anything but a ‘W’ would have been unacceptable.
The team selection didn’t give too many surprises. As is the done thing now, the team was rotated wholeheartedly with the Youngs and Flood partnership given the chance to validate a more attractive attacking set up.
An opportunistic early try from Shontayne...
Not “please win”, just better. Why? Well this game, with the greatest respect, was not one that should have been thought of as a ‘maybe’. Admittedly the Georgians have made great strides from World Cup’s of old (anyone remember 85-6 against England in 2003?) and gave the Scots a though time earlier this week, but given our standing in the world game, anything but a ‘W’ would have been unacceptable.
The team selection didn’t give too many surprises. As is the done thing now, the team was rotated wholeheartedly with the Youngs and Flood partnership given the chance to validate a more attractive attacking set up.
An opportunistic early try from Shontayne...
- 9/18/2011
- by Jeff Ball
- Obsessed with Film
An Antiques Roadshow expert has made the show's first ever £1 million valuation, it has been confirmed. The landmark moment for the programme, which is hosted by Fiona Bruce, will be seen at a Gateshead roadshow in tomorrow night's episode of the BBC One show. Series editor Simon Shaw told The Mirror: "The person who brought the item goes pretty silent when they are told but that is because they are trying to take it all in. "I (more)...
- 11/15/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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