In this show our special guest is author Lucas Gillard who talks about his latest book “George Best Down Under.” The book looks at the four main trips that the great Northern Ireland and Manchester United player made to Australia and how each was so very different in terms of where he was in his life and his career, and also how he was received. Copies can be purchased online here .

In the topics under discussion Ashley looks at the way talent is being identified today via trials rather than coaches actually scouting talent. To make matters worse in some sports the administrators are charging players who wish to attend trials for state representative teams, and then when selected they are again expected to pay to represent their state. Is this right? If a State cannot afford to heavily subsidise such teams surely they should not attempt to field a side in that age group? Equally worrying is hearing that three sports board members have delayed the announcement of a State team being announced because their child has not been selected. Does this who area need to be looked at and a better model put in place?

After cracking one of his best quips John turns his attention to Olympic selection and how only two are chosen when multiple athletes have achieved a qualifying time. Once again the Court of Arbitration for Sport is once again going to be busy, but should they be? Do the athletes need to understand the rules or is it the sport that needs to make the process clearer. Or are such events about having the best in the world competing or is it more important to have representatives from around the world competing even though they are not the top competitors in their sport? Does it really matter where an athlete comes from, surely they can inspire people in other nations apart from their own?

Moving on from Sandy’s interview we look at coaches and are they there for the players or themselves? Also is the current funding model the best way to decide which sports receive funding? Or is it in fact contributing to the problem? Is this the price of professional sport and has making it a full time job taken the joy out of the game for those playing. In addition how much has coaching killed the freedom afforded the players?

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