It’s been called the blackest day in Australian sporting history. Some have even called it the blackest day in Australia’s history.
A report from the Australian Crime Commission found illegal substances were being supplied to Australian sportsmen by organised crime figures who have made themselves part of every level of Australian sport.
Players have been fed quick metabolising drugs, matches have been fixed, doctors are writing false scripts and athletes are supplying illicit drugs. Organised crime has clearly shown a firm foothold in sport.
When my husband and I were discussing the news yesterday evening my son was all ears. He’s very keen on all sport talk and he’s well aware that his mother is seldom included in any conversation on the subject. It’s just not my thing – happy to take my child to swimming, tae kwondo, soccer coaching and even watch his matches – but any one over 12 playing sport is just not my thing.
But my son is passionate about sport. In fact we have had many the conversation about drawing the balance between school and sport – I firmly believe that while he is good at the sports he’s chosen, he’s not going to make a career of it. Very few kids are. It’s great to be involved in a sport but it’s even better to get the most you can out of your education so that you can choose a career in your later life that doesn’t end at 30 for the vast majority.