Troy's Sports Blog

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Why is Participation in Recreational and High School Sports Declining?

Participation in sports has always been an important part of my life. My parents always encouraged me to play sports from a young age. I still remember going to soccer practice the first time and there were hundreds of children all over the soccer fields. There were so many different teams that we usually only played each team once in a season. Nobody kept score in the games. It was all about having some wholesome fun and getting exercise. The thing that I have noticed every year is that the number of kids playing continues to decline. The numbers are dropping not just in soccer but in other sports as well. There are many different reasons for declining participation in sports and maybe some changes could be made to encourage more kids to stay active.  

One of the main reasons that kids stop playing sports is the cost. If you play recreational sports, you have to register to play in a league and you also have to buy equipment to play. For a game like soccer, the biggest expense would be soccer shoes and shin guards. Most soccer leagues supply shorts and team jerseys to players. If you look at a game like hockey, which requires players to buy more expensive equipment, cost can easily be a barrier. Players also have to pay registration fees to cover the cost of ice rental for practices and games. The high cost of playing sports could be one reason why participation in sports is declining. If you choose to play for your high school team in volleyball and basketball, there is also a cost involved. One option may be to waive the cost of fees to play on high school teams or have players do some fundraising in order to reduce the costs.

Another reason for declining participation in sports is the sheer focus on “winning”. High school sports teams often have tryouts and typically, only the best players are selected for the team. If you are not selected to play in Grade 9, you are unlikely to try out again in future years of high school. If you are lucky enough to make the team, there is a focus on winning games.  There are players on the team that may only play for a few minutes in a game and spend the rest of the time on the bench. The focus on winning contributes to only playing the best players. The players that do more sitting than actually playing are less likely to want to play in the future. It has been proven that more kids would rather “play” on losing teams than sit on the bench for winning teams. Schools could offer more programs at lunch and after school that focus more on participation and less on winning.

Participation in sports has also decreased because of...yes...you know it... electronics. Kids are spending more time playing video games and using the Internet. I play basketball in front of my house for several hours a week and you rarely see any other kids outside. There are plenty of kids in my neighbourhood, but they are rarely outside (and this isn’t because of Covid). Most kids spend a good portion of their day inside playing video games or surfing the Internet. Video games have replaced playing sports for so many kids.

I love playing sports and I love being physically active. I think there are things that need to change in order to increase the number of kids who participate in sports. When my dad talks about how every kid in his neighbourhood was outside playing sports when he was young, I wonder what I will be telling my kids in the future? I hope I can inspire and motivate my kids to have the same love of sports and physical activity that I do. My enthusiasm is, at least, a step in the right direction.

[troycliffe17]

Father’s Day - Sporty and Active Gift Ideas

Fathers are a very special breed. They go over-and-above for the family and never ask for much in return. They say things like, “I don’t need anything. Just save your money.” Well, Father’s Day is a perfect time to say thank you and it’s just around the corner; June 21, to be exact. This is your big chance to show dad that you appreciate him. Fathers will put the rest of the family first and they seldom spend the money on themselves, so this is why I want to make this year’s Father’s Day a special one.

If your dad is anything like mine, he loves sports; so if you're looking for a Father's Day gift that will appeal to your dad's team spirit (with added health benefits), you’ve come to the right blog! I have put together a list with some really cool sports gift ideas for Father’s Day. The great thing about my list is that the selection ranges from simple sports gifts to more elaborate ones based on your budget. There will be an incredible gift idea in this list that will be a home run, slam dunk, touchdown or gooaaaaaaal! 

The first gift idea is my top choice and I am really considering this one…

 A Fit bit Tracker – Your dad might think that this is just the latest health gadget but he will realize, soon enough, that it is more than a toy. There are so many activities that he will be able to track, not to mention all the health benefits that come along with it. This will inspire dad to stay active. It has been proven that if you are active and exercise regularly, you can add years on to your life and we all want our dads to stay healthy and live longer. With a Fit bit tracker, your dad can monitor his daily active minutes and log all of his workouts. Devices with Smart Track can even detect and log the activity for him. Another benefit is that it will help guide his workouts. Men who work out with a trainer see greater improvements in lean body mass, muscle strength, power, and aerobic fitness compared to those who don’t follow a guided routine. A Fit bit tracker will encourage him to move more and this will lower his risk of heart disease and diabetes. The best part is, just think of all the fun activities you can do together and all the challenges you can take. You can have regular competitions, and again, if your  dad is anything like mine, he hates to lose so you know that the competition will be fierce!!

New Runners –  Sliding your feet into a new pair of runners if one of the best feelings in the world. A new pair of runners will let dad find his wings on the path less travelled.  Whether you choose Nike, Adidas or whatever your preference is, you can’t go wrong with this true gift of love for dad. Runners will inspire him to start running or, if running isn’t his thing, he may get motivated to hit the trails and become more of an outdoor enthusiast. He can have his own time to unwind and decompress from his long day while you cut the grass or wash the car. You’ve heard about multi-tasking well consider this “multi-gifting”... he’s worth it! Whether he decides to run or walk, just getting him the proper footwear will inspire him to become more active which will help build stronger muscles and improve his cardiovascular fitness. Just one small tip of advice, make sure you get him the right shoe size.

Indoor Skydiving – Experience some skydiving with dad by taking him to new heights with the latest crave that’s shot sky-high in popularity. This gift is like no other and will be an experience that he will always remember. You may not think that skydiving has many health benefits but I can assure you that there are more than you think. It builds upper arm strength and strengthens big muscle groups in the lower body. It also offers many mental benefits because it helps relieve stress. It will leave both of you feeling electrified and more energized. What an awesome way to help dad get an adrenaline rush!

 Horseback riding - If you are looking for something incredibly unique to do with dad on Father’s Day, book a horseback riding tour. If you’ve always wanted to explore nature on horseback, then this would be the perfect adventure. Horseback riding is a perfect way to combine outdoor activity with nature. This activity helps straighten your core muscles and also improves coordination. Horseback riding exercises your mind but helps you feel relaxed at the same time. So many bonuses are associated with this activity and you and your dad can experience it together. Help yourselves to some juicy wings and fries when you are done...you will both have deserved it!

An inside putting green – Dad can practice putting whenever he wants with this gift. It’s basically 3 feet wide and nine feet long so it fits perfectly in your game room or basement. He can practice his putting without worrying about “catty” comments from his buddies (excuse the pun!)  The surface has three holes and a built-in sand trap cutout that catches any missed shots. It’s no problem if it’s miserable or cold outside; if dad feels like practicing his putting skills, he can enjoy it in the comfort of his own home.  Even though it’s not like playing 18 holes, your dad will still gain the mental and physical benefits with this gift. It will help those endorphins kick in and it will also be great for his waistline. With these benefits, there’s no doubt that he will be open to sharing this putting green with you. Just one more tip of advice, never make him look bad!

I am confident that one of these unique gifts will score big with sports loving dads everywhere, but if all else fails, get him a good old pair of comfortable athletic socks to rock!

Regardless of what gift you buy, or how much money you spend, dad will love anything, because all he really wants is to feel appreciated!

[troycliffe17]

Axe-Throwing

Axe-throwing was actually a craze back in medieval France. It has changed over time into a unique sport. It originally started in 2006 in Canada when a few friends got together at a cottage in Ontario and it took off from there. It has become the new trend. Axe-throwing was also practiced by lumberjacks and other woodworkers as a pass time. If you have ever watched a lumber jack competition, axe-throwing is usually one of the main attractions.  It has become so popular that there are now competitions comprised strictly of axe-throwing. This sport is designed similar to archery. There is a target on the wall, made out of wood, that has approximately three, maybe four rings on it. The competitors are given a spot to stand behind from which they are allowed to throw. There are many different throwing techniques such as overhead throw, one-hand overhead throw, and one-hand underhand throw. Once the competitors have been given a style of throw, they will then compete to throw the axe as close to the center as possible. The judges will mark their throw and then allow the next person to throw. By the end of the competition, the thrower who has the closest throw to the center will move on to the next round, and if it is the finals, will win the competition. There are different sizes of axes to accommodate younger throwers, hoping to encourage them to take part in the sport. Elementary school kids typically use a small axe that is quite light and has a plastic handle to reduce the risk of injury. The winners  usually receive a cash prize or a gift card of some type, but the prizes will vary from competition to competition. 

Believe it or not, it is great exercise too. it builds up your lats, shoulder muscles and your core. Axe-throwing is growing all over the country. I have actually tried axe-throwing myself, and found it quite fun. There is an axe-throwing facility in Kelowna called “Axe Monkeys” suitable for both adults and children. My friend’s father had always wanted to try it out, so we all went a few months ago to celebrate his birthday. It was a surprise birthday party. He was expecting to go somewhere totally different and then we pulled into the Axe Monkeys parking lot. He was pretty confused and thought we had made a wrong turn. When he realized that we had planned it all along, he suddenly perked up. He thought he was going to spend his birthday at a shopping mall. He bolted out of the car and headed for the entrance. He was the first to try it out . We all cheered him on and he turned out to be a natural. We all couldn’t wait to have our turn. 

We had an hour to become experts. After signing waivers, my friend and I started off with a lesson on how to throw an axe safely. You begin by targeting, placing your hand at the bottom of the axe, and then position the axe above your head. Next, you bring the axe forward, lean forward with your weight, and then release the axe. This is called making the proper execution. We were taught the three most common ways to throw and then we were on our own. Our first few throws were really rough. For the first five minutes, neither one of us had hit the target but we didn’t give up. Before we knew it, we were beginning to catch on and as we warmed up, our technique improved. We started off with some easier throws until we felt more comfortable and then we took on the harder ones. It really wasn’t that hard once we got the hang of it. My friend and I are both competitive by nature, so we started a friendly competition between the two of us. That made the experience even more fun. We decided to ask the instructor to show us some trick shots. He had some cool ways to throw the axe, so we attempted to try those shots. They were obviously much harder to stick. Slowly but surely, we began to perfect these throws too. We found ourselves getting about 8 out of 10 hits. Before we knew it, our time had expired. It went by so fast and it ended just as we were getting better. We took our last throws and headed back to the car. I am pretty confident that we will all go back at some point soon. Everyone had a great time and the best part was, that we were all leaving in one piece. Axes are not just for chopping wood any more!

[troycliffe17]

Why The Golden State Warriors Struggled to Win This Season

The Golden State Warriors have been a dominant team in the NBA for several years. The team has had a lot of success over the years and won NBA championships in 2015, 2017 and 2018 added to their 3 previous titles. The most amazing thing is that the Warriors have been in the NBA finals for 5 straight years. Everyone thought the winning streak would continue this season and the Warriors would be back for another playoff run. The team has had a complete meltdown this year and there are a lot of reasons why.  

Some fans of the Warriors blame the poor season on the departure of Kevin Durant in the off season to the Brooklyn Nets. Kevin Durant suffered a torn Achilles in the playoff finals last year against the Toronto Raptors. The team was later criticized for letting Durant return to the lineup too soon from a previous injury and blamed Golden State for pushing him to return.  Durant denies this was the case and maintains that the decision to return was his. The loss of Durant has impacted the Warriors ability to win but he would not have played this season due to the injury.  

The Warriors also lost Klay Thompson in the NBA finals last year when he sustained a torn ACL in his left knee in Game 6 of the finals.  Klay Thompson is one of the greatest shooters in NBA history and did not play a single game this season due to the injury.  The good news is, Klay Thompson signed a 5-year contract extension at the end of last season. Klay is expected to be on the court for next season and is one of the most exciting 3-point shooters in the NBA to watch.  

The third reason that Golden State has struggled to win this season is that, Stephen Curry broke his hand on October 31, 2019 during the 4th game of the season. Curry was out for months after the injury.  When Curry got injured, the Warriors’ hopes for making it to the playoffs had disappeared for this season. If you’re a fan of Golden State, it has been a tough season to watch. For a team that was loaded with talent in previous years, this year has been hard to watch.    

The Golden State Warriors moved into a new 1.4-billion-dollar stadium this year in San Francisco.  The stadium can only be described as one of the best in the league. The Warriors had a losing record of 15 wins and 50 loses when the season was suspended in March 2020 due to Covid-19. They had no chance of making the playoffs and were accused of losing games just so they could get good draft picks for next year.  

In spite of how bad the current season was, the future for the Golden State Warriors looks bright. They have lots of promising draft picks waiting for their chance to play in the NBA.  Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson AKA, “The Splash Brothers”, are both expected back for next season. The Warriors could also sign some big named free agents in the off season. Go Warriors!!

[troycliffe17]

The Most Popular Played & Watched Sports in the World

If you ask anyone, they all have a favourite sport. Most people will often argue over what the most popular sport actually is, based on their own preference, but have you ever wondered what sport is actually watched the most in the entire world? In this blog, I will share with you the top four sports in the world that attract the highest number of viewers. This list might shock many of you as it is not what most people expect in Canada and in The United States of America. 

The fourth most watched sport in the world is tennis. Tennis is watched and played worldwide as it is a relatively inexpensive sport.  Most communities have tennis courts available to the public for free all year round. If you really wanted to, you could even play against the side of your house as long as there isn’t a window near by, obviously. Another reason why this sport outranks many others, is because the rules of the game are easy to follow but most importantly, it is a lot of fun. Players spend endless hours perfecting their serves, backhand and forehand serves etc in order to make it professionally. There are many techniques to learn if you want to make it big.  Players have to learn how to use spins on their serves and smashes. Some of the best tennis players include Serena Williams, Rodger Federer, Rafeal Nadal and Steffi Graf. All these players are well known around the world but most of the players are best known in the country they represent. In Australia, for example, there may be famous tennis players that we are not familiar with in North America. The sport originated in the 19th century and has quickly gained followers of the sport. The sport has developed countless leagues and players, and has initiated trophy's and championships to bring up the anticipation and love for the sports. The sport is not commonly played where I am from but, I am sure, is watched by many true tennis enthusiasts. The matches can sometimes go on for hours, so it goes without saying that these athletes have to be extremely fit and agile. Fans rave about this sport and it is highly respected among all athletes.

The third most popular sport is field hockey. Field hockey has an estimated following of 2 billion people. The sport is mainly followed in Europe, Asia and Africa. The best way to describe this sport is if ice hockey and soccer got together and had a baby. The sport is played with a stick on a field, similar to a soccer field. Personally, I wouldn’t expect this sport to be among the most popular because I don’t really see too many people playing this sport. However, it ranks as one of the most popular sports around the world; I just don’t commonly see it played around me. The players will use their stick to drive the ball toward the opposing team’s net. This sport is among the few sports that I have yet tried to play, although we do have a field hockey team at my school.

The second most popular sport surprisingly, is cricket. I am not familiar with this sport at all. It is a very different type of sport than what I usually watch. Where I live, this sport is not played very much but in The United Kingdom, it is extremely popular. This sport is similar to baseball but different at the same time. The shape of the field and the bat in cricket, are a little different from the traditional baseball bat. The sport has been greatly expanded on over the years and I have even seen a group of men playing it at the baseball field near my house. This sport attracts about 2.5 billion fans worldwide which shows why it is the second most popular sport in the world and it is also beginning to be televised in North America. This sport seems quirky but fun. I definitely would like to try it some day, that is, if I can find the appropriate bat and ball. 

It is now time to reveal the most popular sport in the world. The most watched sport in the world is soccer. I can totally understand that this would place first because this is my favourite sport. I watch and play soccer with my friends as often as I possibly can. I play this sport on a daily basis and have been part of a soccer team as far back as I can remember. This sport is known worldwide and the professional players are gathered from all over the world. There are countless soccer leagues and there are even news clips of entire cities shutting down as the World Cup is being played. Soccer has some of the most well known athletes and offers some extreme wages for these top players. Both men and women play this sport and are equally recognized for their talent. Soccer attracts 4 billion followers worldwide; no wonder it is the most popular sport. That is more that half of the world’s population. I have always enjoyed watching and playing soccer; maybe it’s just in my blood, being half Italian. Whenever the World Cup comes around, I am always excited to watch it. To me, it makes no difference who wins, it’s just all about enjoying time watching my favourite number one sport - soccer!! No argument from me on this one.

[troycliffe17]

E-Bikes - The Wave of the Future For So Many Reasons

An E-Bike or an electric bicycle is any bicycle that can run on electric power as well as by pedaling. My first exposure to E-bikes was a couple of years ago while riding on the Kettle Valley Railway Trail (KVR Trail) near Penticton. My father and I have a yearly tradition to spend a day riding our mountain bikes on the KVR Trail. We do some sight seeing then stop and have lunch. Anyone who has cycled the KVR Trial in June knows it can become quite hot and dusty. The trail is a great place to cycle and it gets lots of use in the summer. When we first started our annual KVR Trail ride, there were no E-bikes on the trail. People were all pedaling mountain bikes.  In some places due to the terrain, people would get off their bikes and walk.

Last summer, we were riding the trail and were travelling at a decent speed when we were passed by several groups of people who were all talking and laughing as they cycled past. At first, we could not figure out how we were being passed by cyclists who were barely pedaling their bikes, but were travelling between 20 and 30 km/h. They were all riding E-bikes and it looked like a lot of fun.  

E-bikes are the wave of the future because they combine cycling with the option to use electric power. Sales of E-bikes have taken off around the world.  With the current Covid-19 pandemic, sales are likely to increase as people try to figure out ways to get to work and school without having to get on public transit buses. E-bikes are a fast, comfortable, and convenient option for daily commuting.

In British Columbia, E-bikes do not require a license or insurance to ride on the street. The E-bike electric motor is limited to 500 watts or less, and the maximum speed allowed is 32 km/h without pedaling. You are required to wear a bike helmet and must be at least 16 years old. In the Netherlands, where using a bicycle is part of their history and culture, E-bikes now outsell standard bicycles. There are many different E-bike models to choose from. Lower end E-bikes sell for under a $1000 and higher end models, with all of the bells and whistles, can sell for thousands of dollars. The only downside of owning an E-bike is that they are an attractive target for thieves. I think E-bike sales will continue to grow in Canada.  The only thing that the government might want to consider is lowering the age to use an E-bike to 14 so they can be used by high school students to get to school and employment. Ride the wave of the future and get yourself an E-bike! I plan to get one as soon as I can!

[troycliffe17]

Outdoor Locations in Penticton For Physical Fitness

There are many different activities that you can do to stay physically fit even if you cannot go to the gym or a fitness class due to Covid-19 restrictions. Due to the current pandemic, many people have been asking the same question... where can I go to complete my fitness workout routine? One popular location in Penticton is the KVR Trail. This is a prime spot for running, walking, or biking. Although, it is a great spot, the downside is that it is normally crowded because it is so convenient and accommodates so many types of activities. If you would prefer taking an easy hike in a more secluded area, you might consider going up to The Lost Moose Lodge which is a few minutes drive past Sendero Canyon. There are a number of trails surrounded by wilderness, which would be perfect if you like wild animals and insects. You could also bring your yoga mat and practice yoga or meditate because it has an amazing view of the city.

 Another place that might appeal to you if you want to relax, meditate or stretch is at the Penticton Rose Garden. There may be the possibility of people walking or driving by but you can find a quieter spot closer to the lake. I think it would be a perfect spot because it is surrounded by trees to provide shade as well as catching a breeze from the Okanagan Lake. You could go for a swim once you are done. If you like the sound of the Penticton Rose Garden but are not exactly thrilled with the idea of cars and people walking by, another option would be the Ikeda Japanese Gardens. The Ikeda Japanese Gardens is filled with flowers, trees, a little fish pond and the sound of the lake and the creek. There is even a platform the runs above the water so you could do yoga or meditate while looking at the fish swimming below you.  It is a bit more secluded and it does actually feel like you are in Japan.   

If you are more into running or walking instead of meditating or yoga, there are still many more locations in Penticton. One location suitable for running or walking is down by Skaha or Okanagan Lake. Both spots have sidewalks that run parallel to the water so you would have a great view of the lake as you are exercising. If you choose to run down by these lakes during the day, it can get quite busy. However, some runners aren’t bothered by others when they run because they get into their own world and can zone out other people. If you go running early in the morning or at sunset, it would be less crowded at either beach. You might also get to see the sunrise or sunset. If you prefer to run, walk, or bike during the day in an area that is not as crowded, you could carry out your fitness activities around your neighbourhood. As you can see, there are lots of different spaces and places around Penticton for fitness routines. Whether you choose to be around the water, or up in the mountains, there is definitely a place that is perfect for you. 

[troycliffe17]

Some of the Greatest Basketball Shoes

A pair of basketball shoes can play a big part in a player’s game. They can make all the difference between a safe play and having an injury. In this blog, I am going to provide you with information on some of the better quality shoes, if you plan to play many hours of basketball. To start off, I will give you some facts on the Kyrie 4, 5, and 6′s. These shoes are none other then Kyrie Irving's signature brands. The quality of these shoes have been steadily improving over the years, which leads me to showcase his entire series. I actually purchased the Kyrie 4′s when they first came out and wore them for about a year. The shoe promotes great traction which will allow you to have better handling and movement, as you don’t have to worry about slipping on the court. This shoe has insane durability compared to some of the other higher end shoes. With this shoe, you can either play outdoors or indoor, whereas some other shoes are indoor specific. This shoe is built the way every shoe should be built.  It is extremely comfortable and has excellent ankle support. This shoe has many colour options which allows you to match it with any jersey or workout gear that you wear. All in all, any generation of this shoe would be a very good investment as they will last and provide a great feel when playing.   

The next shoe that I will be discussing is the KD 12. This is Kevin Durant’s 12th  generation of his signature shoe. This shoe would be preferred by those players that like a “broken in” shoe. This shoe comes already semi broken in with pads specifically built in where the foot typically lands when playing. These spots are softer which can prevent blisters and foot aches or pains. The shoe sports a high upper of the shoe and a somewhat translucent bottom to it. In most shoes, there is a layer in between the bottom and the top of the shoe, but in this shoe, Nike has removed that layer and has sewn the Zoom layer on the bottom directly to the boot-like upper. This main focus of this shoe is to provide great comfort. The other components of the shoe such as the traction and durability, do not disappoint either. The traction will have you locked to the floor with a squeak in every change of direction. Sadly, this shoe is directed towards indoor play since the shoe is mainly built to be comfortable. This shoe can be found in many different colours and always comes in a cool and original shoe box. (If you’re like me, you actually have your own personal shoe box collection because they are so cool).

The final shoe that I am really impressed with is the Harden Vol.3. This shoe is James Harden’s signature shoe. It is the third generation of his shoe. Although I am not a fan of Harden as a player, this shoe is well built. This shoe is part of the Adidas basketball shoe genre. Adidas designs only a few basketball shoes but they are all worth praising. The Harden Vol.3 is a sturdy shoe that aims to keep you low to the ground for better court feel and balance. The shoe has a boost layer on the bottom which allows for quick break-in and maximum response when jumping and running. This shoe is a great performer but there have been reviews that suggest that it heats up pretty quickly which can lead to an unbearably smelly shoe. If Adidas could develop a better way to ventilate this shoe, they would easily soar to the top of the market and maintain its popularity. This shoe also offers tons of different colours and design choices.

These are just a few of the better quality shoes that, in my opinion, are worthy of mentioning. The selection is endless and when you are trying to decide which shoe to buy, it can be overwhelming. The three brands that I have described would basically be just the tip of the iceberg. For me, the most important things that I look for would be performance and comfort (and if they come in a cool box, it’s just an added bonus!)

[troycliffe17]

School At Home, From My Perspective

Attending school is something most kids have to experience in life. Going to school takes up years of your life and it just becomes part of your regular routine. Most kids become frustrated at some point, with the daily grind of school. The early mornings, the homework, the teachers and principals enforcing rules and regulating behaviour; it can just get too much year after year.  When you are in school, you must ask permission to go to the bathroom, although everybody needs to use the bathroom at some point during the day. Sometimes you have to clean the classroom even though the school has a janitor. The biggest source of stress is all of the due dates and assignments that must be completed on time.  If you miss a due date or do not complete an assignment your grades will suffer. Whenever the weekend comes around, everybody cheers. They cheer for the freedom they have to manage their own time and schedule. School, as we know it, has taken on a very different look due to Covid-19. Instead of attending in class instruction at school, we are now held hostage inside our homes. Students are now completing the remaining portion of the school year online.  Instead of sitting at a desk in a classroom, we are now sitting at a kitchen table or inside our bedroom glued to our computers and cellular telephones. I find it difficult to manage all of my courses from home and have lots of mixed feelings about it.

Although this might have been the best option in order to complete the remaining months of the school year, I feel as if there have been just too many adjustments that happened in a blink of an eye. In my opinion, online schooling has been more of a negative experience than a positive one. Online schooling has put greater stress on me for so many reasons. It has been difficult to manage all my course assignments due to the lack of face-to-face interaction with the teacher. In the classroom, teachers can provide guidance, direction and immediate resolution to something that may be unclear. Another frustration that I have had is that, some of my assignments were not received by the teacher when I had submitted them electronically. This not only added to my workload but it also caused me more stress. When the school switched to online learning, the teachers were given options as to what type of technology they wanted to use for online instruction. The assignments and due dates are now scattered between many different platforms, websites, and apps. The option to use many different online tools makes it more difficult for students to manage their workload. More time is taken up just trying to check what new work has been assigned. It was much easier just to attend class and be able to listen to the information assigned from the teacher. I also feel that my retention of information was much better when I was attending school and learning directly from the teacher as opposed to learning from videos or other sources.  For me, learning mathematics online has not been a difficult transition. Subjects like Science and Social Studies are the ones that I have had to be more focused on. More self-discipline is definitely a requirement when learning at home. The final struggle that I have had is the fact that I really miss my friends. Knowing that I would be interacting with them, laughing with them and spending time playing sports with them, was a huge motivator for me. It balanced out my day. Now, I feel that my days have just flat lined.

To be fair, there are some benefits to online schooling such as more flexibility. I can manage my own time schedule; I can eat and take breaks whenever I want. I can even stay in my pajamas all day if I wanted to (not saying that I do). But even with those benefits, I would still rather be going to school. I feel as if the work load might not have seemed so heavy if we were learning it directly from the teacher. 

I have lots of mixed feeling about the online schooling process and unfortunately most of them are negative. It can be frustrating to manage everything at home and never know what will be assigned in the days and weeks ahead. I feel like I am spending more time doing assignments at home and spending less time on other things that make me happy, like playing sports. Online schooling has shown me that there are more advantages to actually going to school, even if it does not always feel that way. I think everyone hopes that things go back to normal and we are back in school in September. We all miss our friends and learning online will never replace the benefits of spending time together learning at school.

[troycliffe17]

My Victoria Day

The Victoria Day long weekend is often thought of as the kickoff weekend to summer.  It is the last long weekend before summer officially begins on June 20th. It is normally a time when people are watching the NHL playoffs and the NBA playoffs. The MLB would also have started for that time between playoff games in the NHL or NBA. If you love sports, Victoria Day weekend was always something to look forward to. This year is different due to Covid-19 with all the restrictions in place such as social distancing and self-isolation. The challenge is to try and keep yourself busy without watching any sports. Instead of actually watching and playing sports, I find myself watching funny videos on the Internet. It passes the time at home, but you just know that something is missing.  How many times can you watch the top 100 funny sports plays from 2019?  There is a routine to the year and Victoria Day has always been about sports in my house.

This year just reminds everyone that nothing is normal, and we are missing out on our regular life. Having a barbecue without friends is just not the same. The other odd thing is, because of all the time that people spend at home, you lose track of time.  A long weekend was something to look forward to prior to Covid- 19. Now it is just another day to wait for better times; wait for the day when you can have all your friends and family over, have a barbecue and just watch continuous sports games. This year you just think to yourself, what day is it? Do I have an assignment to finish in school?  Should I be doing something besides sitting at home?  All good questions and if this were a normal Victoria Day weekend, I would not have thought of any of them. I would be dreaming about who would win the NBA championship, or who would win the Stanley Cup. This year I am just hoping that next year will be different. I think the entire world is hoping that next Victoria Day long weekend, things will be back to normal. Bring back sports and bring back barbecues with friends and family.     

[troycliffe17]

10 posts!

[troycliffe17]

How to Maintain your Mental Health

Being isolated in your home may initially have been fun, after after a couple of weeks you come to realize it takes a toll on your mental heath. In this blog I will review some of the ways we can maintain our mental health while having to be at home. To start off, it is important to have a regular routine; this will help provide structure in your day-to-day life. Having a predictable daily routine can decrease your overall stress level, leaving you more motivated to accomplish your daily goals. A daily routine should include a regular bed time that will help to ensure you are getting at least 8 hours of sleep every day  For younger children, the recommended amount of sleep is 10 hours a night. It is important to include regular meal times and healthy food choices. It is also important to maintain a healthy balance between your work schedule and your personal time. Recently I have been having a difficult time trying to maintain this balance.  I have noticed that I have less patience than normal, and I have more difficultly concentrating during the day. I have started taking breaks earlier in the day and taking them more frequently. This has helped me to stay calm and focused during the day. 

Another important requirement to helping your mental health is to stay physically active. For me, exercise helps to improve my mood and it also gets me outside more often. The odd thing about exercising outside during a pandemic is there are very few people outside. I try to do different physical activities that I enjoy . One day I might go for a hike, the next day I might just go for a bike ride. It is important to have variety in your routine and it helps to have a family member come along to keep you company. Being physically active reduces anxiety and helps you sleep better. People also tend to eat more when they are stuck at home and physical activity will make it less likely that you will gain weight. I think it is important to focus on what you can do to exercise, rather than what you are not able to do due to all of the restrictions in place. A walk around the block can be  small but an important step towards maintaining your mental health. I think it is important to look after yourself when times are tough. We all dream about when this will be over but when that time comes, at least my mental health will be in a good place.  

[troycliffe17]

Sports and COVID-19

Recently, there has been a lot of media coverage about how the NHL can resume playing the regular season and the playoffs. Currently, there are restrictions in place on international travel and the border between Canada and the United States is currently closed to non-essential travel. The NHL may be able to resume play by having games in central locations with limited travel. Crossing the border will be difficult due to the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days when you arrive in Canada from the United States. There is currently a lot of discussion on how the NHL could overcome the barriers that are presently in place and resume regular season play. What often gets overlooked is the question, do people want to watch sports without fans in attendance? Do the players want to play without anyone watching live?  

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently held an event where there were no fans watching the event live. The commentators for the UFC mentioned several times just how odd it was to have an event with no live audience. I think it would be great if professional sports could resume. Watching sporting events with empty arenas and stadiums will be odd. This may be the new normal for sports going forward until a vaccine is found.  There will also be a significant loss in revenue to playing games with empty arenas. I don’t think that anyone realized just how much they would miss sports until the current pandemic hit. It would be my dream to see sports teams back in action and have a distraction from thinking about Covid-19. Sports will definitely resume, it’s just a matter of when and what measures will have to be taken due to the new normal.

[troycliffe17]

How Basketballs are Made

Basketballs are used by people of all ages. Even though basketballs can be different sizes, shapes and brands, the process of making them is the same. No matter what size or brand, they assemble and build them the same way. This process may be the same for all of the balls but it can be quite time consuming and complicated. There are four steps in the build process which are repeated as closely as possible, every single time one is made. The basketballs are manufactured out of synthetic rubber, rubber and leather. The threads are made out of nylon and polyester. The two most well known basketball brands are Spalding and Wilson. Spalding sponsors the NBA and Wilson sponsors the NCAA and some other smaller leagues. Since these brands sponsor leagues, the leagues they sponsor will use their balls for games and practices.  The first step in building a basketball is to construct the inner bladder. The inner bladder is the inside of the ball and helps to hold air inside the ball. The inner bladder also gives the ball its bounce. The inner bladder is built out of black butyl rubber which is cut into pieces and patched together to hopefully build a ball-like structure. The structure will be fairly bumpy and bruised.

Now that the rubber has a somewhat ball-like structure, it is time to create the actually look of the ball. The bladder will be shaped and molded using machines to hopefully come out round. (This inside bladder building portion is pretty similar to some other balls when being built such as a volleyball.) Some of the factory workers are capable of making the ball round-shaped without the help of machines but to get a consistent feel, size and weight to the ball, this portion of the build is done by machines. The machine will begin to wrap nylon threads around the ball in order to increase the resemblance of a normal basketball. The quality of the threads at this point will show during the games and practices so they sometimes change up the threads that are wrapped around the inner bladder. Outdoor and street basketballs will feature polyester threads while the indoor and professional balls will use nylon thread.

The third step will help complete the look of the ball. This step is the ball’s covering. The materials that are used to build the outside of the ball once again change when the uses of the ball change. The NBA indoor balls are made out of a high quality leather. This will make the texture of the ball better when playing on a court. The outdoor balls can be made out of a variety of different materials as these balls will be worn down much quicker from being dribbled and spun outdoors on cement and pavement. These materials include synthetic rubber, rubber or composition. The material is unrolled and cut into six equal panels. These patches will be sewn or glued together around the ball and sealed with a rubber binding. Before this is done though, the panels will be stamped with the proper names and logos. Once the pieces are applied to the ball, they will complete any required markings by hand. The ball will be about 29.5 inches in circumference and will weigh about 20 ounces. The balls are then inflated and put aside to set for 24 hours to ensure that they hold air. 

By the time the basketballs get to this point in the process, they have gone through a full inspection; however they are tested and inspected one last time as part of the final step. They will look over the balls and will do some quick bounce tests and inflation tests. The balls have to pass precise measurements and requirements in order to be acceptable. They will make sure the balls are inflated, remove excess glue and then pack them away for shipment and packaging. I find this quite interesting as I play a lot of basketball and never really thought about the time and effort put into the manufacturing of the basketballs. I have come to appreciate them much more now.

[troycliffe17]

Unusual Sports

Everybody is familiar with the mainstream sports that are televised, such as basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer. However, as it turns out, there are many uncommon sports played world wide that most people aren’t aware of.  To begin with, there is a rather odd sport in Finland known as “wife carrying”. This sport is pretty self-explanatory. It is exactly what it sounds like, a male athlete will run through an obstacle course with their wife on their back. The obstacle course includes different jumps, puddles and terrain. Athletes participating in this sport will enter into their local heat of runners. The top runner will receive his wife's weight in beer, five times his wife's body weight in cash and the chance to head to the nation wide championship in Finland. 

The next odd sport consists of cheese, hills and large groups of men - what could possibly go wrong? This sport is rightfully named “cheese rolling”. This event is an annual occurrence and probably for the best. Competitors take place in this unusual race in Gloucestershire, UK. The way this event works is pretty simple, a roll of cheese is rolled down a fairly steep hill and racers will charge forward to be the first to reach the bottom, obviously running after the cheese. The first person to reach the bottom of the hill will win the cheese. It does sound pretty silly, but you would be surprised to hear how many competitors and spectators attend this event every year. The downfall of this event is that there have been dozens of injuries over the years due to the steepness of the hill but the event still continues.This sport just is not for me, no matter how much cheese is won. 

This last and probably the widest sport is played under water. We all have heard of ice hockey and field hockey but now there is an alternative sport for swimmers called water hockey. This sport is played specifically underwater and can be called “octopush”. You would think that this sport would be played in the backyard with some kids when they had nothing better to do but it is quite popular all over the world. There are assigned goals for two teams, special pucks for playing under water, special gear that is worn and odd looking hockey sticks they use as their hands. This sport is played by both men and women and is sometimes televised if you really look for it. The sport sounds like it would have been recently invented by a millennial somewhere but to most peoples’ surprise it has been around since 1980. This sport has become a rather competitive sport and even has its own world championship now. At least NHL players know now that they have another backup plan if their ice hockey career doesn't work out.

These are some of the most unusual but intriguing sports that I have discovered. There are many more, such as “toe wrestling” but I’ll leave that one up to you to read up on if you are into that sort of thing. Check more of these sports out with a quick google search to get some laughs. 

[troycliffe17]

5 posts!

[troycliffe17]

NBA Throwback Jerseys

There are so many teams that make up the NBA.  These teams can be recognized by either their top players, team colours, designs, logos or their  team name. Everybody that watches NBA basketball has a favorite team. Most avid basketball enthusiasts represent their team by wearing or displaying their team’s merchandise such as custom socks, hats, banners, key chains, balls, and player cards. However, there is one item that is the ultimate piece of team merchandise and representative of each NBA team, the coveted team jersey. There is so much thought and precision put into the professional team jersey, which is why they are so expensive. There are different variations of the team jersey depending on what type of game they are playing; whether they are at their home arena or away; whether they are playing a charity event or if they are mourning a player’s death. In my opinion, the best jerseys that come out only  once in a while, are the NBA’s most recognized memorabilia  - the “Throwback Jerseys”.

These jerseys are the retro ones that players and teams wore when they either first came into the league or when the team was young. There were lots of great players that wore these jerseys and then the team decided to change them to give themselves a new look. The original jerseys are really unique and for the older fans, these jerseys bring them back to when they were young. These jerseys are nostalgic and are never forgotten especially for the older fans. You can still find these jerseys if you wanted to buy one but they can be pretty expensive, especially if you want one with a specific player’s name and number on it. For example, say you wanted to buy a retro Toronto Raptors jersey and you just had to have one that said “Carter” with a #15 on the back. This would be more expensive then one that said “Stoudamire” and a #20. Nothing against Stoudamire, but Vince Carter is a well known Toronto Raptor from his time while Stoudamire is less of a trademark for the team.   

For some reason, I like the retro jerseys more then the current ones. They are working on a remodel which allows you to change the name and numbers of the jersey electronically. I thought this was a pretty cool idea. In my opinion, the best throwback jersey would have to be the “Vancouver Grizzlies”. I am from Vancouver, so my opinion might be a bit bias, but regardless, I have to state my opinion because I love the jersey so much. I like the shade of blue they used and the logo on the shorts was really aggressive. When you look at a huge grizzly bear growling on its hind legs, it can be pretty intimidating. If you come across this in the wild, you could very well be a good meal for that grizzly bear. It is kind of sad that they had to relocate the team to Memphis but they still use those Vancouver Grizzlies jerseys and I just can’t wait to watch when they do.