Cheers and Jeers: When encouragement becomes obnoxious

            Anyone who has attended sporting events or games has probably witnessed at least one demonstration of poor sportsmanship coming from the bleachers. Whether it’s booing the referee or chanting to mock the opposing team, sports culture allows fans some wiggle room in what would normally be considered socially unacceptable behavior.

We don’t boo our waiter for slow service or make up a cruel chant about an employee in a competing business, so why should these actions be tolerated in the sporting world? Where is the line between the die-hard fan and the obnoxious guy who has had a few too many $2 beers?

                This question needs to be asked by sports fans everywhere - from supporters of NHL teams to friends and family watching atom house league. If you’re a vocal fan in the stands, you need to step back and look at your behavior.

Within our own community, McGill teams are happy to have fans of any sort and are not picky about their motives for being in attendance. So what if that drunk chick has been flirting with the shirtless body-painted dude for half an hour and couldn’t tell you the score even after it was announced over the loud speakers 20 seconds earlier? At least they carved some time out of their packed social calendar to show their faces in support of their school team. It is always more encouraging for teams to play in front of a sea of red created by fans in McGill gear than a sea of red created by the empty bleachers in Love Competition Hall.

                What attracts university students to games isn’t usually the sport itself, but the festive atmosphere that goes along with getting a little rowdy with friends in the crowd. There are pros and cons that accompany this fact. On one hand, it’s great having a large group of fans making lots of noise in support of their school team. On the other hand, “festive” and “rowdy” can often turn into obnoxious, annoying and inappropriate. And the question still remains - where do we draw the line?

                Personally, I have attended McGill games that were unsuitable for younger audiences. Nudity, swearing, chanting, public drunkenness and taunting of the opposition are not exactly what you would want your 7-year-old child exposed to. And it’s not just McGill students that are to blame. I have witnessed unsportsmanlike conduct from parents and other adults in attendance. Just the other day I was watching a Redmen hockey game while sitting behind a father who was openly swearing and booing with his two younger daughters at his side. By the end of the game the girls were also booing the ref and joining in with the rude comments directed towards the opposition.

                The bottom line is that as fans, we need to keep it classy. The majority of the time our McGill teams do an admirable job of respecting their opponents and letting their skills do the talking. When Redmen hockey were on the road at Queen’s last week, they were taunted by fans and even had objects thrown at them from the stands. They didn’t let this get to them however and pulled off  a 3-2 win. This past weekend they embarrassed Queen’s with a 6-0 win in McConnell arena.

Perhaps McGill fans should take a lesson from this team and learn to keep their cool even in aggravating situations. The next time you‘re tempted to swear at the ref or yell at the opposition’s goalie ask yourself: Is this really necessary? Is this going to help my team win? Is this going to bother the people around me?

                Let’s keep showing our support for McGill teams in the best, most positive way we can.

Go Red Go! 

Hockey Culture at McGill

                Hockey is definitely one of my favorite sports to both watch and play. It’s fast and furious, there are usually a fair number of goals, it can be played under any conditions and skating is simply one of the most enjoyable activities in the world. I’ve played shinny games in -30 degree weather. I’ve played when the ice is melting enough to see blades of grass poking through. I’ve played with people who are 100 times better than I am and with people who have to lean on their sticks to support each shaky stride. And still, miraculously, I have never participated in a game where I have not had a good time. In my opinion, it is no coincidence that hockey is Canada’s national sport. From the ponds and garage leagues to the NHL, Canadians have a passionate relationship with hockey that is difficult to describe to those who have not witnessed it or taken part. It should come as no surprise then that Canada’s top university should share in this national pride by boasting one of the best hockey programs in the country.

                The Martlet hockey squad has recently come off of a 107-game winning streak. Yes you read that correctly: One hundred and seven games without a loss. McGill has been a leader in women’s hockey for several years, and has captured the CIS national championship title in three of the past four seasons. Several members of the Martlet hockey squad, including coaching staff, have also been involved with team Canada in the Olympic Games and other major international competitions. Needless to say, this is one of McGill’s most successful teams and it is always a pleasure to watch them work their magic. Check out the Martlet hockey schedule here.

                Redmen hockey also looks to be having another great season. Currently they sit on top of their division, with only two overtime losses in their first nine games. All of the games I have seen so far this year have been very exciting, with the score staying close until the last seconds. A game I was at last week,  McGill managed to edge out University of Toronto 3-2 in front of a very enthusiastic crowd of students, parents, community members and a few peewee teams who idolize the players on the ice. The game had everything a fan could hope for: action, drama, excitement and a good fight. The Redmen ended up scoring the winning goal on a short-handed breakaway rush. The goaltender for University of Toronto kept his team in the game until the dying seconds despite having to contend with 40 McGill shots (compared with only 26 shot by U of T). In the last few minutes of the game, with tempers running high and the outcome still up in the air, several pairs of gloves were dropped and fans were brought to their feet. A testament to the quality of hockey that was played at McConnell arena last night is the fact that there was a Habs vs Sens game going on at the same time, yet the stands were still full of enthusiastic hockey-lovers. Check out the Redmen schedule here.

                Whether you are a fan of hockey or simply enjoy a fun and festive atmosphere, come check out what’s going on up the hill at the McConnell arena. Fast-paced, exciting and McGill always has a chance of coming out on top… what more could a fan ask for?

See you there!

-          Martlet Girl  

What Adults Can Learn from Children About Sport and Exercise

                For the past two weeks I have been around the Currie Gym much less often than usual. Normally I am in that building for a number of reasons: school, working, working out, playing sports or watching other people play sports. However, until Christmas break I will be spending a considerable amount of time in the gym of an elementary school in Westmount. Currently, I am part way through a 7-week student-teaching field experience that is a component of the third year of McGill’s Physical Education program. It has been a lot of fun so far, and I am really enjoying working with the students and teachers at the school.

                I am a firm believer that adults have a lot to learn from children. Being surrounded by kids all day has started me thinking about the differences between how children and adults view sports and exercise. The following list is a summary of these thoughts: what I believe we can all learn from children about physical activity and sport.

1.       Child Belief: Fun is the most important part!

      Kids definitely know what they like to do! They come into physical education class or to their team practice looking forward to having a good time. If it’s not fun, chances are they will not continue to participate. (Unless a pushy parent says otherwise… but that’s a whole different issue).

Adult take-away message: You should enjoy your athletic pursuits!  

-          Why do people give up on their exercise programs? Why do athletes quit teams? Because somewhere along the way, the sport or exercise stops being fun. It is important to choose an activity you enjoy if you hope to become a life-long exerciser. Hate running? Try taking a class such as zumba or yoga. There are literally hundreds of ways to meet any exercise or health goals you may have. For competitive athletes, if you ever lose enjoyment and become stressed out on a consistent basis while participating in your sport, you should probably re-evaluate your reasons for doing this particular activity.

2.       Child Belief: I always want to be on the same team as my friend!

-          Although this is not always possible, kids know that playing is more fun with friends.

Adult take-away message: Find an exercise buddy or join a team with a group of friends!

-          It is almost a 100% guarantee that you will have more fun if you exercise with someone whose company you enjoy. You will challenge and motivate each other, and hold one another accountable for getting out of bed early in the morning. Team sports are also infinitely more fun when your team mates happen to be a great group of people.

3.       Child Belief: I should go all out, then stop. Then go all out again!

-          This is true for young children especially. They run around like a bunch of mini Usain Bolts for a short period of time and then they walk. They repeat this pattern hundreds of times over the course of a physical education class. By the end of the session they are exhausted enough to sit still in their French lesson.

Adult take-away message: Interval training! Do it!

-          This is an excellent way to stress the cardiovascular system. Whatever your fitness level, you can benefit from this method of training. Intervals can be done while walking, running, biking, swimming or even strength training.

4.       Child Belief: I want to play a game!

-          Children don’t “work out.” They play! And most of them end up getting a great workout without even realizing it.

Adult take-away message: Play while you work (out)!

-          There are so many ways to play and get a workout in at the same time. From soccer and hockey to dancing, crossfit and competitions such as the Spartan Race, playing can and should be a part of everyone’s fitness regime.

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5.       Child Belief: When my team scores, I should be running around yelling in celebration!

-          The other day in class we did the beep test. As the students dropped out one by one, they sat down on the bench and cheered for their classmates without being told to. While the last student was running, the entire class was cheering him on as he pushed himself to his own personal limit. When he finished, everyone ran out to congratulate him.

Adult take-away message: Celebrate achievement!

-          Athletics are an area of life where it is often easy to measure our improvements and our success. Whether it is running for 10 minutes longer than you ever have before or scoring the winning goal, be proud of yourself and happy about your accomplishment.

That’s what I have learned so far from the 6-12 year-olds I have been teaching for the past couple weeks. I will try to think of my students next time I’m not feeling motivated of excited by my exercise program or athletic activities. I hope you will too! 

Martlet Volleyball

                The average McGill student is probably skeptical about going to see a Martlet volleyball game. For most of us, the word “volleyball” brings back memories of high school gym class where 50% of serves went into the net, no one ever moved and the longest rallies lasted about 5 seconds. Volleyball, for many, spells boredom. If you are one of these non-believers, I would highly recommend going to check out a varsity game. Two points in and you will quickly realize that there is much more to the sport than planted feet and uselessly flailing arms.

After witnessing the events of the recent Martlet Invitational Volleyball Tournament, it’s safe to say that McGill has a very strong team this year. They have a good mix of veterans and rookies who have a ton of chemistry on the court. The team has height, great serves, excellent setters and an experienced, successful, kind and knowledgeable coach. Their digs are often spectacular, superhuman dive-rolls that defy the laws of physics. And, most importantly, they all appear to be genuinely enjoying themselves on the court.

The Martlets managed to play their way to a third place finish in the tournament despite injuries to some of their top players, including their starting setter. They beat their division rivals from Universite de Montreal in three straight sets to win the bronze medal game, while St Mary’s University edged out Dalhousie in the finals. McGill played both St Mary’s and Dalhousie earlier in the tournament, managing to beat Dal 3-1 and coming very close to upsetting St Mary’s in a 3-2 loss. They showed poise, confidence and depth in their roster, with rookies stepping up to fill in for injured vets. It was an inspiring effort from all players and truly a pleasure to watch.

The Martlets will kick off the regular season with a home game against Universite de Montreal at 7pm on October 28^th. These teams have a lot of history and Montreal will be looking to redeem themselves after their semi-final loss. The game promises to be action-packed and most likely very close. If you think volleyball is a lazy person’s sport and that girls can’t spike the ball, you need to come to this game and witness the high level of skill and athleticism that is sure to be on display.

See you there!

- Martlet Girl 

McGill Squash

                There are several reasons why I play squash. Mainly, I find running around and crashing into walls to be highly amusing. Also, there aren’t many sports where you can hit the ball as hard as you can in basically any direction (I mean tennis? I would be 100% better at that sport if the courts were as big as football fields). Also my usual squash partner is a friend who I don't get to see very often, so a quick game is always a good chance to catch up on each others lives. Finally, squash is a great excuse to swear as loudly as possible when you mess up (which in my case is often).

                In case it wasn’t made obvious enough in the previous paragraph, I definitely do not play squash because I am good at it. I can run, I have hand eye coordination and I can hit the ball well enough to have a good time, but that’s about it. Do I know strategy, tactics or proper technique? Not so much. That’s why I was completely shocked when, as I was playing with my friend the other day, we were approached by the coach of the McGill squash team and asked to come out to their next practice.

                “But I don’t really play squash…” was my first response. “That’s ok!” said the coach, “You can run, you have hand eye coordination and you can hit the ball! Practice is this Tuesday at 8:30. It would be great if you both came out.” We managed to wait until she was out of earshot before the giggling started. However, even though the idea of being on a squash team was completely ridiculous to my friend and I, we decided we would give it a try. Why not, right? It could be a lot of fun, and maybe we weren’t as terrible as we thought.

                Tuesday rolled around and I started to have second thoughts. These thoughts intensified when we arrived at the courts and all of the other girls were dressed in these professional looking sport-skirt things. I felt like a total newbie in my soccer shorts and science goggles (couldn’t find my squash goggles), holding a crappy racquet. I became even more uneasy after talking to one of the players who had been practicing squash since the age of 2. I glanced over at my friend and I realized we were both thinking exactly the same thing: what the heck are we doing here???

                Fortunately we split into two groups: the more experienced players (ie: the ones in skirts) and the less experienced players (ie: the ones looking lost and terrified). The coach worked with us lost and terrified players and was very encouraging throughout the process. I learned how to hold my racquet, hit the ball properly and where to aim the serve on the court. The coach’s instruction was very helpful and I feel as though I improved more over the course of that practice than I have during the all of my previous squash experiences combined.

                Although it was a good practice, I respectfully declined the offer to be on the squash team. Personally, I would rather just run around like an idiot and hit the ball wherever than spending hours each week trying to refine my technique. Squash for me will remain a recreational pursuit.

                However, if you are a dedicated player who owns real squash goggles, I highly recommend checking out the McGill Athletics website and getting involved with the team. If you're a beginner, don’t be shy to rent a court with a friend and enjoy a low-key game. It’s a guaranteed good time, good workout, and the kind of stress relief you can only get from smacking an object as hard as possible.

See you on the court! 

The Beautiful Game

                When I woke up yesterday I was in a pretty bad mood. Whether it was the sudden shift to winter, the unfortunate outcome of the fill the stadium game (except for this: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150321113124876&set=a.166319314875.114443.157991499875&type=1&theater) or simply a bad day for the hormones, I was not a happy camper. When my room mates found me clattering dishes around in our disastrous mess of a kitchen with a scowl on my face they probably should have quickly run in the other direction. Luckily, they did something much better: suggested that we all go play soccer.

                My hometown is an interesting place.  There are 6000 people, no high school, a handful of restaurants, one grocery store and 7 soccer fields. Needless to say, a lot of soccer is played by the residents. I think that we boast the highest per-capita number of registered soccer players in Quebec, mainly because there is not much else to do! The summer when I was 17 and didn’t have a driver’s license yet I was so bored that I tried every day to juggle the ball 1000 times with only my feet (a summer well spent as I eventually succeeded and can now brag about it whenever possible for the rest of my life). I started playing soccer on a team when I was 5 years old and played competitively up until CEGEP. At that point, I decided that all of the drama with parents, screaming coaches and catty team mates was not worth it. Since then I have continued to play at a more recreational level and have rediscovered just how much fun the game came be when you strip away the politics.

                While away at McGill, I was happy to discover that there are lots of opportunities to play soccer without having to commit to the varsity team. Aside from intramurals, which only give you about five games per semester, there is recreational soccer in the field house several times per week. Rec soccer basically means that you show up hoping that other people do as well (but not too many!). You never really know how it’s going to turn out. Sometimes there will be 40-50 people there waiting to get a turn to play. Sometimes everyone will be so skilled that you will rarely manage to touch the ball. But other times, there will be 10-12 appropriately skilled players to create the perfect pick-up game.

                Luckily, yesterday was that kind of day for the rec soccer world. I had a blast playing for the first time since August. Nothing on earth is more fun than a good pick up soccer game, where the atmosphere is competitive yet relaxed, where you don’t hesitate to carry the ball if you feel like it and where no one is screaming at you for doing the “wrong” thing. Two hours later I was a sweaty-but-happy mess, having scored some goals, made some plays and laughed a lot with my roomies.

                If you are a soccer player at McGill who is looking for a quick scrimmage now and then, I would definitely recommend stopping by the field house during a recreational soccer time period. Although the players are 90% male, most of them are respectful and have matured past the sixth-grade mentality of never passing to a girl. I will definitely be going back whenever I can this semester, to enjoy the best game in the world.

                See you on the pitch!

                

Fill The Stadium

One of the biggest parties of the year is taking place this weekend. It’s not at a club, at someone’s apartment or even at Gert’s. It involves turf, cleats, facemasks, short skirts, back-flips, bullhorns, body paint and morphsuits. Last year, a large part of the McGill population attended this event held at McGill’s own Molson Stadium.

                It’s that time of year again, when fans of sports, buff men, cheerleaders and loud noises gather to “Fill the Stadium” in support of the McGill Redmen Football team. So far this season, the Redmen have lost all of their games but that should definitely not deter anyone for showing up to this epic event. When myself and 3,144 others attended the season opener back on September 7^th, there was more than enough excitement both on and off the field to turn even skeptics of the sport into believers.

Although the Redmen ended up losing that game 39-13, they managed to hold the visiting Sherbrooke Vert et Or to within a few points for the entire first half. McGill actually had the lead early on when they converted a Sherbrooke fumble into a touchdown, giving the hyped-up crowd something to cheer about. Expect the team to be in even better form this weekend when they face Bishop’s University. In their game on September 25th, the Redmen managed to hold one of the country’s top teams, Universite de Laval, to only 12 points in a 12-4 loss.  

If everything I just said was extremely boring to you and you could not care less about what you perceive to be a bunch of guys running around bashing into each other and occasionally catching a funny-shaped ball, do not worry! Because of the culture and excitement surrounding the sport, there is much more to football than just football. The cheerleading team has been practicing together for a month now, perfecting some impressive routines and stunts. Also, Red Thunder will definitely be out in large numbers making lots of noise and starting some serious cheering. Although this can be entertaining from far away, be warned that if you are sitting in their section you might not be able to hear for a few days afterwards.

The party starts at 6pm with a DJ, beer and hotdogs (ie: everything you need in life). I hope to see you all there enjoying the day and cheering for the Redmen team. With the support of the home crowd behind them, maybe McGill football will be able to pull off their first win since 2009.