Is Britain the Greatest sporting nation on Earth?
Discussion
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
In fairness of the team expected to play in the Ashes today it is only Gary Ballance and Ben Stokes who weren't born in England. Stokes moved here at the age of 12, so his sporting education was predominantly English. Ditto Chris Froome.
mudflaps said:
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
That's true of other nations as well. Martina Navratilova springs readily to mind.Ditto Chris Froome.
Vocal Minority said:
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
In fairness of the team expected to play in the Ashes today it is only Gary Ballance and Ben Stokes who weren't born in England. Stokes moved here at the age of 12, so his sporting education was predominantly English. Ditto Chris Froome.
Imagine how much better the England football team would be if they just draft in foreign players as and when required.
For me we should stop throwing in red herrings as to whether a person can or can't represent Britain due to their nationality.
You are opening up a minefield.
There are VERY STRICT rules regarding citizenship and passport holding, it's ridiculous and in my opinion racist to even suggest that someone can't represent the UK if they've passed all the criteria required but not been born here.
Every single nation has people who weren't born in their country but are proud and honoured to wear the flag and we should embrace that not look for people who don't belong because they weren't born here. It's not the dark ages so get used to it.
And as for the English footy team we've had plenty in it who weren't born on these shores and there's nothing wrong with that.
You are opening up a minefield.
There are VERY STRICT rules regarding citizenship and passport holding, it's ridiculous and in my opinion racist to even suggest that someone can't represent the UK if they've passed all the criteria required but not been born here.
Every single nation has people who weren't born in their country but are proud and honoured to wear the flag and we should embrace that not look for people who don't belong because they weren't born here. It's not the dark ages so get used to it.
And as for the English footy team we've had plenty in it who weren't born on these shores and there's nothing wrong with that.
Thankyou4calling said:
For me we should stop throwing in red herrings as to whether a person can or can't represent Britain due to their nationality.
You are opening up a minefield.
There are VERY STRICT rules regarding citizenship and passport holding, it's ridiculous and in my opinion racist to even suggest that someone can't represent the UK if they've passed all the criteria required but not been born here.
Every single nation has people who weren't born in their country but are proud and honoured to wear the flag and we should embrace that not look for people who don't belong because they weren't born here. It's not the dark ages so get used to it.
And as for the English footy team we've had plenty in it who weren't born on these shores and there's nothing wrong with that.
Racist?You are opening up a minefield.
There are VERY STRICT rules regarding citizenship and passport holding, it's ridiculous and in my opinion racist to even suggest that someone can't represent the UK if they've passed all the criteria required but not been born here.
Every single nation has people who weren't born in their country but are proud and honoured to wear the flag and we should embrace that not look for people who don't belong because they weren't born here. It's not the dark ages so get used to it.
And as for the English footy team we've had plenty in it who weren't born on these shores and there's nothing wrong with that.
How many non-Aussies play for the Aus cricket team, for example.
Why are the rules on who qualifies different for cricket and football?
Edited by MarshPhantom on Thursday 16th July 10:35
A very quick google and 23 popped up who'd played test cricket for Australia but not been born there.
Can't be bothered to look any harder because we all know what it will show and that is "You don't have to be born in a country to represent it" those are the rules and every country has plenty of examples.
Can't be bothered to look any harder because we all know what it will show and that is "You don't have to be born in a country to represent it" those are the rules and every country has plenty of examples.
MarshPhantom said:
mudflaps said:
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
That's true of other nations as well. Martina Navratilova springs readily to mind.Ditto Chris Froome.
She was very much a part of Team America in the context of this thread.
mudflaps said:
MarshPhantom said:
mudflaps said:
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
That's true of other nations as well. Martina Navratilova springs readily to mind.Ditto Chris Froome.
She was very much a part of Team America in the context of this thread.
Type R Tom said:
MarshPhantom said:
Absolutely no comparison to be made between Navratilova becoming an American citizen, Tennis players are individuals and do not represent a country. Andy Murray doesn't play for Scotland, does he?
No he plays for GB in the Davis Cup! And one example, the England cricket team do it all the time, getting in foreigners who are better than our homegrown talent.
MarshPhantom said:
Racist?
How many non-Aussies play for the Aus cricket team, for example.
Why are the rules on who qualifies different for cricket and football?
I couldn't tell you about the cricket team - but both rugby teams are full of pacific islanders...How many non-Aussies play for the Aus cricket team, for example.
Why are the rules on who qualifies different for cricket and football?
Edited by MarshPhantom on Thursday 16th July 10:35
Vocal Minority said:
MarshPhantom said:
Racist?
How many non-Aussies play for the Aus cricket team, for example.
Why are the rules on who qualifies different for cricket and football?
I couldn't tell you about the cricket team - but both rugby teams are full of pacific islanders...How many non-Aussies play for the Aus cricket team, for example.
Why are the rules on who qualifies different for cricket and football?
Edited by MarshPhantom on Thursday 16th July 10:35
FF
MarshPhantom said:
We're good at stuff where we don't have much competition, Cricket and Rugby for example, even the Brits are only interested in these when played at national level.
Serious Cricketing Nations, 8Serious Rugby playing nations, 8
Unlike the Americans of course, who are World Champs at 'GridIron' football (hang on, the only other people who play this are the Canadians, and they are not allowed to take part 'cos they are too rough!) and Baseball (where the Cannucks are allowed in, and the Japanese; WOW that's 3 nations!)
FF
MarshPhantom said:
It's also strange how no one bats an eyelid at the fact plenty of people who play cricket for England weren't actually born here.
Ditto Chris Froome.
That's a bit poor really, Froome has a British father and grandfather, I know it counts on your passport where you were born, but the heritage shouldn't be ignored.Ditto Chris Froome.
Who are you thinking of in the cricket team?
There appears to be quite a lot of competition in that tennis lark and we appear to be doing alright at that currently.
Swimming - ditto.
Gymnastics - we have medal winners in men's and ladies at the major international comps in a sport dominated by MUCH more populous countries than little old us.
We didn't appear to do too badly in the track and field at the last Olympics.
Sailing. It's not posh. It's not elite and we are a f
king island, it's the most natural homegrown activity there is for us and we are rather fking good at mastering what covers 2/3 of the earth.
Snooker. Yes it worldwide and currently the fastest growing sport in China.
And all the other stuff mentioned.
And football qualification nationality is very flexible
Swimming - ditto.
Gymnastics - we have medal winners in men's and ladies at the major international comps in a sport dominated by MUCH more populous countries than little old us.
We didn't appear to do too badly in the track and field at the last Olympics.
Sailing. It's not posh. It's not elite and we are a f
king island, it's the most natural homegrown activity there is for us and we are rather fking good at mastering what covers 2/3 of the earth. Snooker. Yes it worldwide and currently the fastest growing sport in China.
And all the other stuff mentioned.
And football qualification nationality is very flexible
DJRC said:
There appears to be quite a lot of competition in that tennis lark and we appear to be doing alright at that currently.
Swimming - ditto.
Gymnastics - we have medal winners in men's and ladies at the major international comps in a sport dominated by MUCH more populous countries than little old us.
We didn't appear to do too badly in the track and field at the last Olympics.
Sailing. It's not posh. It's not elite and we are a fking island, it's the most natural homegrown activity there is for us and we are rather fking good at mastering what covers 2/3 of the earth.
Snooker. Yes it worldwide and currently the fastest growing sport in China.
And all the other stuff mentioned.
And football qualification nationality is very flexible
Tennis - we have one decent player for the first time in 70 years.Swimming - ditto.
Gymnastics - we have medal winners in men's and ladies at the major international comps in a sport dominated by MUCH more populous countries than little old us.
We didn't appear to do too badly in the track and field at the last Olympics.
Sailing. It's not posh. It's not elite and we are a f
king island, it's the most natural homegrown activity there is for us and we are rather fking good at mastering what covers 2/3 of the earth. Snooker. Yes it worldwide and currently the fastest growing sport in China.
And all the other stuff mentioned.
And football qualification nationality is very flexible
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