FROM THE CEO SPORTSMANSHIP. FROM THECEO HOW FAR DOES IT EXTEND? THE WORLD GAME CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT SPORTSMANSHIP. S portsmanship is a contentiouspiece of the footballing fabric.It’s a subject that is often causefor debate within the game. The brought up the strange angle ofsportsmanship that extends to thatof your teammates. Sportsmanship isn’tjust between both sides but also between acts of simulation, the reckless tackles teammates. The situation Hinds described and the endless taunts from fans towards had me thinking about the lack of the players bring up thoughts of poor sportsmanship showed by his teammates sportsmanship, while other moments in what could only be a terrible moment. of support for an emotionally stricken Hinds described the scene of Karius opponent or a simple gesture of shaking post-match, “[Karius] wiped the tears hands following a hard-fought contest from his eyes and walked alone to this show the side of good sportsmanship. team’s supporters to beg forgiveness.” “Not a single teammate joined Karius Anthony Merrilees The dictionary looks at sportsmanship as, on his abject walk. No one put a anthony.merrilees@sma.org.au “fair and generous behaviour or treatment protective arm around his shoulder.” of others, especially in a sporting contest.” So how far does that extend? The recent Sportsmanship extends beyond the European Champions League final cordial handshake to a manner of respect present a strange scenario of for those you compete with and against. sportsmanship. For those that missed It takes a small gesture in a grand the game or the news articles that moment like this one, for an act of followed, I’m talking about the mistakes good sportsmanship to go a long way. committed by the Liverpool goalkeeper I’m looking forward to seeing the at inopportune time that have lead him sportsmanship shown by all at the world to be vilified. cup as the mental aspect to wellbeing is certainly very important. Reading ABC columnist Richard Hinds article about how “…Loris Karius will be sent to the colony of vilified sportsmen…” Sportsmanship extends beyond the cordial handshake to a manner of respect for those you compete with and against. VOLUME 36 • JUNE ISSUE 2018 3