Category Archive

The Rise and Rise of Bournemouth
Eight years ago Bournemouth AFC started the League Two season with a -17 points deficit.

What a turnaround in those eight years.

With the English Premier League coming to a close Bournemouth have secured their spot in the top flight for next season.  While Leicester’s run to the championship has been something of a fairy-tale, the performance of Bournemouth is also unprecedented.

Understanding The Why
“I think therefore I play”- Andrea Pirlo

“Behind every kick of the ball, there must be a thought” – Dennis Bergkamp

“Football is a game played with the brain” – Johan Cruyff

Some of the greatest footballers of the last 40 years cannot be wrong.

Football is a game that requires intelligence.

Earle and Spurs
The English Premier League championship race is coming down to the wire between Leicester and Spurs.

As New Zealand football fans watch the glamour of the EPL from afar, it is hard to believe that it is almost 40 years to the day that Spurs played Auckland Football at Newmarket Park.

Playing a starring role for Auckland that day with two assists was Earle Thomas, Top Flight Football Academy coach.

Everyone knows Pixar.

Creators of classic movies franchises Toy Story, Cars and hits Ratatouille and Inside Out amongst others, Pixar has come a long way since Steve Jobs invested US$10 million to own the business in 1996.  In 2006 the company was sold to the Walt Disney Company for US$7.4 billion.

Bravery is a misused term in football. Too often bravery is used to describe physical effort – making a tackle or putting the body in harm’s way.

Carli Lloyd and The Crossroads
Even the best have to face down doubt in their football career.

Looking back on the rise of USA attacking midfielder Carli Lloyd, the current FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, it is hard to believe that she came close to quitting the game she loved.