So called professional sport on multi-media is the other opiate for the masses.

Yes, as a collective we are quite insane.

The Aamish , geez haven't heard of them for a while mate

In my view, if the "athletes" are employees or professionals its not sport- its a business or industry- just like horse racing.

Real sport is the young blokes kicking the footy in the local club, or the amateur cricket team at the oval down the road, the surf life saving club beach sprinting and surf ski racing. stuff like that.

once big money becomes involved, it just ruins it for me.

stephen

Those professional athletes (including the coaches, the tacticians, etc.)...able to dedicate their life to the refinement and perfection of their chosen sport take that sport to new levels and become the inspiration for those young blokes kicking the footy in the local club, or the amateur cricket team at the oval down the road.

Watching the skill and ability of professional athletes is especially mind-blowing when you play the sport yourself and you recognise and understand the whole other level that those professionals are operating at.

Like the song goes,need something better to get me through this life. Downside, while you're focused on your team winning,they slip a bit of fluoride/aspartame in the food and water.

Ever wondered why corporate sponsorship of sport is a continued given?

Take the dog for a walk,go for a swim or plant some veggies.Now gotta get back to watching the USPGA The Players Championship.

In a free society if people want to dedicate their lives or spend their money on professional sports or whatever else they choose to do, that is their business. As long as no one else is being hurt in the process, let them do it. The issue is taxpayer money used to subsidise professional sports.

If a football or cricket club wants a new stand or returf the field at their stadium they should raise the money themselves like any other honest organisation, not ask for a handout from the government. If someone wants to go the Olympics to win the shotput then they should train and pay for it out of their own pocket or raise the cash needed like anyone else who wants to pursue their interests.

If that means we don't win so many medals at the Olympics but have a more just and wealthier society then thats the price we would have to pay.

and getting to & from Subi is full-on at the best of times - how bad is it going to be over at Burswood
I've wondered sometimes about why the Govts haven't put more thought into redeveloping one of the existing WAFL ovals
Geez - the new site was the old tip wasn't it - could be some probs there

So here's what you do
1. work out how much money you spend on sports / other entertainment (gear, gym fees, tickets to watch, raffles for your local kiddies team etc0
2. work out how much money you personally donate to the worlds poor
3. adjust your budget to make the 2 items equal
4. encourage your friends to do the same

Then the government sees this and thinks - wow charity is really important to all these voters - we should do the same and hey presto problem solved.