We had the pleasure of reading two Y Lolfa titles during a recent holiday. The experience was quite enlightening as Hard Men of Rugby by Luke Upton and Saving Rugby Union: The Price of Professionalism by Ross Reyburn provided different perspectives on the game of rugby. Upton’s work focused on the strength and toughness of 20 rugby standouts, while Reyburn focuses on a number of crises facing rugby union. Reading them in tandem offered some unique, often conflicting, views. Upton profiles
Hard work pays off. That is certainly the case when it comes to the Football Manager series. This year’s edition, Football Manager 2021, is the product of countless hours from Sports Interactive and SEGA staff from all over the world. And it is the most authentic, realistic, and intelligent football game every made. With all that being said, Football Manager 2020 was an amazing game, one that was trendsetting and enormously successful in its own regard. However, Sports Interactive has a knack
First and foremost, we have always enjoyed the good work done by Cork University Press. We have reviewed their titles in the past and a recent offering, Conor Curran’s Irish Soccer Migrants: A Social and Cultural History, gained rave reviews from ISN and a number of others. Media and sport have long been connected, but no one really looked at the effects of those connections. Until now. Today we take a look at Sport, the Media and Ireland: Interdisciplinary Perspectives, a
Cover Art Courtesy of Bloomsbury Publishing Esports are on the rise and it isn’t because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s because esports are incredibly entertaining, engaging, and easily adapt to our technological and virtual world. One of the biggest names in esports has to be Paul “Redeye” Chaloner and his recent book This is esports: (and How to Spell it): An Insider’s Guide to the World of Pro Gaming is absolutely brilliant. Chaloner’s conversational style and ability to share incredible stories easily
When the COVID-19 pandemic closed down swaths of the American economy, sports were shut down at all levels. Minneapolis City SC, a club based in south side of the city that plays in the NPSL, found themselves without a season. The front office, staffed entirely by volunteers, went on with their day jobs. The players, none of whom are paid, continued with their other occupations. The team’s club shop on 38th Street closed. It would reopen as something else entirely. On
A lot of analysts, media personalities, and major networks have flocked to esports during the pandemic, knowing that esports fill a need for live games. What the general public didn’t realize was that esports has been here all along and that Ohio is quickly becoming the epicenter for the entire gaming community. The University of Akron Esports Director Nate Meeker has built a robust esports program that has grown to be among the nation’s elite. Meeker was ahead of the
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is proud to announce that three additional teams have joined the VPG eNPSL competition. Those three teams include Boston City FC, Las Vegas Legends, and New Orleans Jesters. “It’s great to see more teams join the VPG eNPSL,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “We are very excited about our final three teams and the contributions they will make in the competition. Fans and supporters should be excited about this new esports league and the
Hawaii is a tropical paradise and one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It is also one of the most promising soccer markets in the country. Leading the way from the islands is Oahu League of Hawaii Youth Soccer CEO and President Chris Keem. Keem is an accomplished soccer executive who has grown the game in both the U.S. and Canada for nearly 20 years. From 2005-2008, he was the Executive Director of Queen City FC, an NPSL side in
The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) joined the esports community on Wednesday with the launch of the VPG eNPSL competition. “The NPSL is excited to enter the esports market for the first time,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “The VPG eNPSL will be a great way to bring our community members together for friendly competition on a virtual pitch. This will also be an opportunity to take the NPSL brand beyond our traditional boundaries and into new households across the