Rugby's Greatest Rivalry - Who is Number 1? , Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:59 PM, in

Lets face it...Most people who follow the sport of rugby will agree that the New Zealand All Black rugby team are simply the best rugby team in the world...hands down. Their win ratio over all countries is unsurpassed by any team and they have shown these results consistently since the game came into being and the trend looks likely to continue for generations yet to come.

 
Why they are so successful is their ability to level up their game, embracing modern innovative game tactics designed to keep one step ahead of the competition. So if they are the team that consistently beats all others why then do the All Blacks struggle when it comes down to adding another rugby world cup to their trophy cabinet?
 
Since winning the inaugural tournament way back in 1987 the trophy cupboard has been barer than old Mother Hubbard's!





 
There are those who have forwarded suggestions that the All Blacks have developed an arrogant attitude to the rest of the rugby world, bred by their successes. Whether this is true or not, many countries have used the All Black blueprint formula and have made great strides in emulating them in last few years.
 
Now consider this.... New Zealand is a rugby mad nation and their fan base and union bosses expect to win every test and competition they enter into. While to lose is often regarded nothing short of a national disaster, equally bad can be to win a game without producing the expected scintillating performance each and every time they play. As one could imagine the pressure on the players and coaching staff to live up to these inherited expectations is immense as is also with many highly successful teams of different codes throughout the world.
 
The phenomenal success of the All Blacks has also proved to be their Achilles heel as the negative results at the business end of the world cups showed. Their world cup opponents looked at ways of slowing down the speed at which the All Blacks play their rugby. The 2003 and 2007 world cups were from the semi-finals onwards played with much slower paced dour tight forward games based on holding on to the ball, kicking for territorial gain and snuffing any hope of running rugby hence nullifying the All Blacks potent attacking weapons.





 
These tactics used were contrary to the All Blacks fast open style of play at which they excel at and the losses suffered at the world cups were likely due to being caught out not being allowed time to change their game plan to combat old school slow forward tactics that were used very successfully against them.

The next world cup of 2011 is hosted by New Zealand and with the home advantage one might consider that the favorites may succeed this time but...one maybe hesitant to bet on All Blacks to win the cup but then again, one would be a fool not to back them.

Fun and Successful Fundraising Ideas For Soccer , at 11:57 PM, in

Fundraising for soccer is one of those things that we're all having to learn to live with. In fact, fundraising for just about every sport is becoming a fact of life, what with gaps in funding presenting a big problem for most teams. It's essential that you come up with some great fundraising ideas for soccer to make sure that your team gets everything it needs to succeed, and of course your main priorities are that your fundraisers be both profitable and fun.
You may sigh in boredom at the idea of selling chocolate yet again, but chocolate is still one of the best ideas for soccer, and there's a reason it's still so popular - because chocolate is popular! People never get tired of buying chocolate, and that's certainly something to keep in mind when thinking about fundraising ideas for soccer. Chocolate bars work particularly well when you have kids who will be selling to other kids - if you can get permission for the team to do their fundraising on school grounds during lunch periods, chocolate can be one of the most successful fundraisers for soccer out there.




Scratch cards are some other fundraising ideas for soccer with great potential. The concept is simple - supporters scratch off 2 of 50 covered dots on the card, and the amount they uncover is the amount of the donation. Many supporters will go ahead and round their donation up a bit, and as well this fundraising idea can make you up to 90% profit if you think you can use at least 1,000 cards. This is one of the most lucrative fundraisers that maybe aren't as large or powerful as other groups, so if you have a small team with a lot of enthusiasm, scratch cards can be one of the top fundraising ideas for soccer out there.

Howard Gottlieb
Easy Fundraising Ideas is the best online resource for soccer fundraising ideas.

Skiing in Washington State on Crystal Mountain , at 11:54 PM, in

There are many reasons to visit Washington State but for the winter sports enthusiast what better reason could there be than to visit the challenging ski resort of Crystal Mountain? During the winter months Crystal Mountain is ideally placed to provide snow-capped peaks of over 7,000 feet, standing proud below the towering Mount Rainier which climbs to over 14,000 feet.
The months of November to April bring several feet of fresh powder snow to Crystal Mountain, this being a reliable happening thanks to the cold Cascade storms common to this area. This factor alone makes a compelling reason to visit this first class Washington State ski area.
There are breathtaking views of Mount Rainier from the summit of Crystal Mountain. The area positively bulges with 2,300 acres of fabulous skiing and here you will find every kind of skiing you can imagine, making this the largest ski area in the state of Washington.




Of particular appeal to advanced and intermediate skiers who will enjoy 87% of all runs, there are some 7 runs for beginners which amounts to a generous variety for all levels. Intermediates are best catered for with 57% of all runs and of all the runs the very longest is called Northway and stretches for 2.5 miles or 4km.
With a definite bias in the distribution of trails towards the more experienced skier, lift capacity runs at 20,000 per hour. There are 2 high speed quads, 2 high speed sixes, 2 triple chairs, 4 double chairs and a surface lift for children. Despite leaning towards the more experienced skier, lessons are available and it is possible to rent skis and other equipment as required. This is also useful in the event of losses and breakages.
There is a Kids Club that is open from 8am to 4pm each day for children aged four to eleven years old. They will be well looked after while the experts in the family explore the remainder of the resort and experience the thrill of skiing the black diamond runs. The Kids Club supervises skiing on the appropriate slopes for their charges and there is also snowboarding available for children aged 7 - 11 years old. Children will learn while having fun and being supervised on the slopes while the remainder of the party can enjoy the challenging terrain that this Washington ski resort offers.





For those who enjoy back country skiing, Crystal Mountain has two back country areas which can only be reached by hiking. This is extreme and unforgiving terrain and the ski patrol has specific rules for those looking to ski in these areas. Covered mainly in thick woodland, North Backcountry does have some trails which have been cut through the trees.
The season runs from the middle of November to the middle of April, when the best snow fall is experienced. There are many places to choose for lodging, meals and evening entertainment. After a day of skiing, you should definitely head over to East Peak Massage & Fitness to take advantage of the hot tub, sauna, showers and even the games room. Massages are available with a reservation. In the summer of 2004, Crystal built the Campbell Basin Lodge, a Cascade-style lodge serving pasta, pizza, soups, teriyaki, burgers, salads, Mexican food and more.
For a superb vacation skiing in Washington State this is a great place for the family. Everyone can have a great experience at Crystal Mountain, even though the slopes are more for intermediate and expert skiers. Novice skiers can have fun as well as long as careful attention is paid to the grade of slope attempted.

Kerry Devere is a great fan of holidays in the mountains and in particular thrashing the red runs. Before you plan your next ski safari, read more of her ski destination reviews.

Choosing the Right Skateboard Deck , at 11:52 PM, in

When deciding to buy a deck, think about why you're buying it.  Are you looking to do trick or just ride around?  Decks come in three shapes, mellow, medium and steep, referring to the concave of the board.  If you're just looking to ride or are a beginner, a mellow deck is flatter and allows the rider to navigate easier.  However, flatter decks are not good for tricks.  If your looking to do a lot of tricks, a more concaved board will be conducive to more tricks.  While the most important factor should be personal comfort, be sure to consider your needs before purchasing a deck.  Once you decide what you want to do on your board, its time to look at what kind to buy.
The biggest mistake of beginner skaters is buying a cheap board.  Inexpensive boards break easier and can be expensive to repair.  Go for a quality deck  that will last longer and handle the wear and tear of a beginner.  The average board is about 7 layers of ply and high quality boards use Canadian Maple.  Once you pick your favorite designer, sizing is the next step.





When determining the size of your deck, there are several factors to consider.  Your purpose for skating, your height and the type of tricks you will do are the most important.  Boards range from 7.5 to 8.5 inches in width and 29 to 33 inches in length.  If you plan to do street tricks and technical skating, like riding ledges or rails, you need a deck that is 8 inches wide or less as they are easier for tricks.  If you are going to be skating in a park, in a pool or using ramps, choose a board between 8 and 8.5 inches as it will provide more stability.  If you're looking to be an in between skater, decks ranging from 7.7 to 8.2 inches will work best for you.
The length of your deck should be determined by your height.  The taller you are, the longer your board needs to be.  If the deck is too long or too short, skating can be difficult and awkward.  A deck length of 29 to 31.5 inches is best for heights 4' to 5'3" while heights 5'3" to 6'1" should find a deck from 31.5 to 32.5 inches.  Anyone above 6'1" should get a deck between 32.5 and 33 inches.

The last and most crucial part of any deck is the design.



Everything from the truck and banners to your helmet and knee pads feeds off the design of your deck so make sure your deck fits your personality. These days, decks are as much a part of the skater look as the Vans, Dickies, and Logo Tees. Deck designs show your personal philosophy, style and brand loyalties. Making it your own is half the fun. Finding a board that you love, fits your needs and matches your personality can be tough but once you do, it is sure to create the ride of your life.