Category: Sports

Ahh, tis better to have bloomed late than never to have bloomed at all, especially if you’re in the professional sports world. Mediocre stars who become great inspire others and create a special kind of legend. They show the world that perseverance and grit mean something.

So let’s talk about five of them that did just that, bloom later in life.

Jamie Vardy

This English footballer’s late rise to greatness is legendary. Vardy was released by the Owls, joined Stocksbridge Park Steels at 16, and then signed for Halifax Town at 23. At 25, he still played non-league football with Fleetwood Town.

Finally, in the summer of 2012, he moved to Leicester, an EFL Championship side at the time. Two seasons were spent in England’s second tier before he found himself 27 years old and finally in the Premier League.

Vardy exploded in 2015-2016, with 24 goals leading Leicester to the Premier League title.

Randy Johnson

Baseball teams were skeptical of a 6’10” pitcher as ball control issues can result from being very tall. Those control issues kept him out of the majors until the age of 25.

Another five years still were what it took to polish and hone his talents, but well worth the wait. At nearly 30, Johnson was throwing fastballs, sometimes over 100 mph. He became one of the greatest left-hand baseball pitchers, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Kurt Warner

Anyone who watched Warner’s breakout season with the St. Louis Rams, taking them all the way to a Super Bowl victory and the MVP title, will never forget it. It is one of the most improbable sports world success stories.

Warner was bypassed by the big Division I colleges and worked as a supermarket self-stocker at night to train for football during the day. His path took him to Arena Football, then NFL Europe, to NFL third-string QB, and finally to the starting QB spot after the team’s starting quarterback had a season-ending injury. 

The rest is history. Making just the league minimum at the time ($250,000), Warner took the Rams to a Super Bowl win with a 13-3 record. He went to two more Superbowls throughout his career and retired at age 39.

Ken Norton

In 1973, Ken Norton was given the opportunity to fight Muhammed Ali on the long-running sports series, Wide World of Sports. At 29 years old, Norton had a 29-1 record at the time but was otherwise unremarkable. Considered to be just another boxer trying to make a name for himself, Norton beat Ali, who didn’t take him seriously until a jaw-breaking punch early in the fight. While Ali managed to last through the entire 12 rounds, Norton went on to win the decision.

Beating “The Greatest” made Norton a household name, and he became one of the best heavyweight fighters of his time. He did lose his next two fights with Ali, but they were by a tight decision, and he was fighting the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time

Fauja Singh

While not technically someone who bloomed from being mediocre, Singh deserves a prominent mention because of his inspiring story. His career as a distance runner began in 2000, at 89, with the London marathon, and he went on to run eight more marathons.

His records include: 

• The fastest male to run a marathon over 90
• The fastest over 100 to run the 5,000 meters
• The fastest over 100 to run the 3,000 meters
• The oldest person to run a marathon (at 100)

Singh finally retired at 101 after finishing the 10k race at the Hong Kong Marathon.

Ummm yeah… That’s impressive and certainly qualifies as a late bloomer.

Don’t you love these stories? These are the people that never gave up and triumphed, becoming legends that inspire us.

I think I’m going to start training for marathons now.

Chess is a game of strategy. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran at the game, there always seems to be some new principle to learn. Consider five principles that will improve your chess game. 

1. Understand the Harmony

Harmony is about things working together and in balance. Chess is a game where each piece works in concert with the others. They are a team.

To get the most out of your chess team, you must put them all to use. Your goal is to remove more pieces from their starting positions than your opponent. In this manner, you will outnumber the other squad when the real combat begins.

2. Don’t Block Your Pieces

Chess is a complex game, so it is easy to get to where you are blocking your pieces from moving. The key is to know how each piece can move. For example, the knight can only move in an L-shape while the bishop moves diagonally. 

Once you understand the directionality of each piece, you must look closely at the piece you are considering moving. What happens when you put it in a specific square? How does that move affect your other pieces?

Your goal is the beat the opponent. But, in Chess, it is just as easy to beat yourself if you don’t consider each move’s impact carefully, especially how it affects your pieces. 

3. Focus on the Center

Chess is also a game of real estate, and the most critical property on the board is the center, especially the four center squares:

• E4
• D4
• E5
• D5

Owning these four squares is a little like having the hill in a battle.

4. Safeguard Your King

It is common sense. If you lose your king, you lose the game. Still, when you get caught up in the game’s strategy, you can lose sight of its most important goal. Two key strategies for protecting the king is to castle it, which means moving it two spaces to the left or right. If you move it on top of the rook, the rook moves to the other side to protect the king. 

The other way to protect the board’s most important piece is to leave the pawns in front of it untouched. They sit there and guard the king. If you move them, your king is open to attack by one of the more mobile pieces, such as the queen, bishop, or rook. 

5. Develop Your Best Pieces

Develop is just a fancy way to move them from their starting spot. If you leave some of your best pieces like the queen sitting because you don’t want to lose her, she isn’t doing you much good. Ideally, you should develop your knights and bishops first because they can get you to the critical center squares. They also open space for other pieces to move. 

Chess is a game that helps you develop your higher-order thinking skills. Like all things, though, it takes practice to do well. 

 

You’ve probably heard your neighbor or coworker talk about pickleball. You may have heard the distinctive “clop-clop” of the hard plastic ball in a neighborhood park. The sport is hard to ignore. There are now about five million players in the U.S., and the number has been growing at close to 15 percent a year.

The sport bears some resemblance to tennis. It’s played on a smaller court with a shorter net, using what look like oversize ping-pong paddles and a whiffleball. Recreational play is usually doubles, two players on each side. Here are five reasons for its astounding popularity.

1. It’s Easy To Get Started

Some sports require lessons, coaching and extensive practice before you can play well enough to enjoy them. Not so with pickleball. You can learn the basics in an hour and play against other beginners on your first day.

Also, its inexpensive. All you need is a paddle and shoes. Paddles are often provided for beginner lessons, and a good beginner/intermediate paddle can be had for $100 or less. Sure, you can spend money on instruction, pickleball camps and tournament fees, but none of that’s vital to enjoying the game.

2. Men and Women Compete on Nearly Equal Footing

Size, strength and speed offer some advantage, but not nearly what they do in many other sports. Tactics, technique and skillful placement of the ball are just as important. Genders are segregated in high-level tournament play, but in any recreational court it’s common to see a game where the “girls” beat up on the “boys.”

3. Open Play Makes It Simple To Participate

There are pickleball tournaments and leagues, but most courts reserve times for open play. You don’t need to call anybody or sign up; just show up with your paddle. Most open play courts have a system for rotating players, and you get to play with a variety of partners and opponents. USA Pickleball maintains a nationwide list of places to play. There are also apps for arranging games.

4. It’s (Relatively) Easy on the Body

Many pickleball players have come over from tennis because it doesn’t put as much strain on shoulders and elbows. It also doesn’t require as much running as tennis, especially if you play pickleball doubles. As with any physical activity, there is of course some risk of injury, and a couple hours of vigorous play can wear you out.

If you’re participating in open play, you can sit out for a rest break then jump back in. Most players find the sport provides enough exercise to help maintain a fitness level but not enough to bring on exhaustion.

5. It’s Amazingly Fun 

There might be drugs that are less addictive. Many people try it once and are hooked. The game doesn’t have the speed of tennis, and long rallies are common. There are few things more satisfying than hitting a great shot, having it come back at you then smacking it again for the putaway.

It’s a social activity, too. Pickleball players love to gather, chat and get to know one another on the sidelines almost as much as they love to play.

People might describe Tai Chi as exercise, an art form, a mood elevator, or a martial discipline. Indeed, this old and fascinating discipline can improve physical and mental health, allow personal expression, teach fighting techniques, and much more. 

Five Unbelievable Facts About Tai Chi 

To discover more about this popular and compelling discipline, explore these five unbelievable facts about Tai Chi. 

Fact 1: Millions of People Practice Tai Chi WorldWide 

Almost 300 million people practice this martial art. Most Tai Chi practitioners come from the art’s country of origin, China. However, it also enjoys popularity worldwide, with about 2.5 million in the US. This artform’s accessibility may explain its popularity. For instance, many people practice a slow style that offers low-impact exercise for practitioners of all ages and fitness levels. 

Fact 2: Even Very Old People Can Practice Tai Chi 

Popular Tai Chi styles rely on slow and repetitive movements and a focus on form and breathing. These characteristics make Tai Chi an excellent way for older folks to maintain their mental and physical health. For instance, Iggy Pop practices Tai Chi in his seventies. He says partying made him feel good at 21, just like Tai Chi improves his mood and fitness today. 

Fact 3: Tai Chi Offers an Effective Martial Art 

For many, the mention of this discipline conjures images of older adults performing slow, deliberate movements to exercise and relax. Today, most people rely on it for exercise, but Tai Chi originated as an effective martial art. The martial discipline relies on using an opponent’s energy against them. Some styles rely on faster movements and may even include weapons. The original Chinese symbol translates into English as Supreme Ultimate Fist. 

Fact 4: Tai Chi Works on Bones, Joints, and Internal Organs 

Tai Chi movements don’t just help tone muscles and improve balance. They also gently massage internal organs, which Traditional Chinese Medicine considers powerful therapy. The exercises can also help release calcium deposits in bones and joints, strengthening bodies and relieving pain or stiffness.

Fact 5: A Professional Dancer First Demonstrated Tai Chi in the USA 

Sophia Delza, a dancer, held the first American demonstration of Tai Chi in 1954 at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. After her demo, she offered to teach classes for students who wanted to learn more and improve their health. Ms. Delza also wrote the first English-language book on Tai Chi, published in 1961. 

Is Tai Chi Hard to Learn?

Mastering Tai Chi can take years, decades, or even a lifetime. At the same time, students can learn basic moves and begin to enjoy benefits very quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When done properly, horseback riding feels exhilarating and wholly rewarding for both the horse and its rider. The wrong approach, however, can leave you flying through the air while your horse vows to never let that happen again. Fortunately for everyone involved, horseback riding is not rocket science. You just have to keep these five fundamentals in mind to make sure every last ride goes to plan.

1. Safety First – Always

Did you know horses are prey animals? Since they’re so big, it’s hard to believe, but they are. And that means that they are easily spooked and flighty by nature, which means every ride comes with huge risks.

To reduce the risk of getting hurt, you’ll just need to:

• Wear a good-fitting helmet every time you ride
• Put riding boots on before even going out to the stable  
• Take your time in properly tacking up your horse  

Also, as you ride, remember to scan your surroundings for anything that could spook your horse. Barking dogs. Plastic bags flapping in the wind. Butterflies. Watch for potentially alarming objects, and then avoid them to keep your horse from freaking out.  

2. Mount with Care

Before you can ride a horse, you’ve got to launch yourself five feet up yet still gently land in the saddle. As you can imagine, this is much easier said than done, especially the first few times.

To get past the learning curve, enlist someone to hold your horse or tie their reins to the fence. Then, stand on the left side of your horse and put your left foot in the stirrup.

In one smooth movement, push off with the ball of your left foot and swing your right leg up and over. If you fail to make it up, give your horse a pat and try again.

3. Whoa There

Horses don’t come with a brake pedal, so there are no emergency stops allowed. Instead, you have to communicate your desire to come to a halt well before it’s time to do so. Although clear verbal commands are an important part of the equation, body language is key.

To tell your horse to stop, you’ll want to:

1. Lean back in the saddle while tensing your leg muscles
2. Tell your horse, “Whoa there,” in a calm, clear voice
3. Gently pull the reins back to apply pressure to the mouth

Never yank on the reins or use them to regain your balance. The excess pressure can prove painful to the horse and land you on the ground.

4. Trot, Canter, Gallop

Once you’re ready to start moving forward, you’ll want to tell your horse it’s time to walk with a quick squeeze. To do that, keep your feet in the stirrups and squeeze your horse with your heels to let them know it’s go time. If your horse doesn’t get the signal, try again or give a couple of light heel bumps.

After your horse starts walking, you can urge them to go faster as soon as you’re comfortable. Another squeeze will get your horse trotting around the ring at a steady pace. Want to go even faster? Give another squeeze for a fast canter. Galloping comes next, but you should first make sure you have an even surface and enough space to run like the wind.

5. Give Back to Your Horse

Once you’re done riding your horse, it’s time to head back to the stable. You’ll want to dismount carefully, and then turn your attention to caring for your horse. Remove their tack, put on a halter, and walk them gently around the ring to cool off. After that, they appreciate getting groomed before heading out into the pasture for a snack and plenty of rest. 

Over time, you’ll get more comfortable riding your horse. Just don’t ever forget the five fundamentals of riding or you could get swiftly reminded of them by these majestic 1,000+ pound creatures. 

The debate may be largely settled that NFL quarterback Tom Brady is the G.O.A.T., but few agree on the greatest sports franchise. Statisticians lean on winning percentage or number of championships. But when it comes to determining the most iconic sports franchise a more subjective standard is apropos. Based on the optics of an organization’s players and moments that are ingrained in sports enthusiasts’ memories, these are — arguably — the 5 most iconic sports franchises on the American landscape ranked.

1: The Raiders

It would be unsuitable to call the Silver and Black the Las Vegas Raiders because they rank among the most transient professional sports teams. Founded as the Oakland Raider, iconic owner Al Davis thumbed his nose at the league by moving the franchise to Los Angeles, then back to Oakland. Now his son, Mark Davis, has set up shop in Sin City.

The pirate with an eye patch and crossed sabers reflects a collective history of rogue, misfit, and players others gave up on. Daryl “The Mad Bomber” Lamonica, Ken “The Snake” Stabler, Bo Jackson, Jack “The Assassin” Tatum, Howie Long, and Marcus Allen, are just a few of the historic figures who wore the uniform. The Raiders were involved in moments that are frozen in time such as the Immaculate Reception, Holy Roller, and Sea of Hands. Taking the franchise to another level, the Raiders were the first NFL team in the modern era to hire a Black head coach, female CEO, Latino head coach, and recently hired the first Black female president. Whether you follow sports or not, everyone knows the Raiders. Just win, baby!

2: New York Yankees

Few teams have enjoyed the success of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees. Competing on one of the biggest stages in the world, “pinstripes” have become synonymous with the franchise. Select lineups have earned nicknames such as the Bronx Bombers and Murderers Row, among others, as the organization amassed 40 Pennants and 27 World Series titles.

The success of players such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Mariano Rivera, and Derek Jeter, among others, helped build an outfit known for winning. But the big moments such as Babe Ruth calling his shot in the 1932 World Series live forever.

3: Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have both won 17 NBA championships. The East-West rivalry saw its heyday when the likes of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird drove the lane. Although both franchises rank among the most iconic, the Celtics get the nod over the Lakers. That’s largely because five of the Lakers titles came when they called Minnesota home and because Boston holds a winning record over L.A.

The Celtics also possess a history of household name players that rivals any organization. Besides Bird, Paul Pierce, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Tiny Archibald, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, and Bill Russell dominated pro-hoops. Russell, for example, averaged an insane 22.5 rebounds per game and earned 11 championships. And it was an injured Bob Cousy who returned to the floor to lead the Celtics to a Game 6 victory over the Lakers for all the marbles in 1963.

4: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers could arguably be considered the most storied franchise in NFL history. Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants fans might not necessarily agree. But Super Bowl champions receive the Lombardy Trophy, named after the former Packers coach who won the first two following the NFL-AFL merger. Vince Lombardi remains the most iconic and revered coach in league history.

The players that made the small market franchise thrive include Bart Starr, Brett Favre, Reggie White, Ray Nitschke, Herb Adderley, Jim Taylor, Sterling Sharpe, and quarterback Aaron Rogers earned MVP honors four times. Perhaps the biggest moment came in 1967 when Bart Starr orchestrated a quarterback keeper to defeat the Dallas Cowboys in the Ice Bowl. The wind chill on the field was -48 degrees.

5: Los Angeles Lakers

Although the Celtics may have bested the California pros over time, the Lakers have demonstrated a dedication to competing at the highest level few can rival. The historic cast of players includes Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Bob McAdoo, and beloved center Shaquille O’Neal.

The franchise has a history of dramatic comebacks and high-scoring players. Perhaps the most iconic came when legends Kobe Bryant lobbed a pass to Shaquille O’Neal in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals to overcome a 16-point deficit and advance to the finals.

Fame can sometimes result in some genuinely astounding decisions, and sports stars are not immune. From switching sports mid-career or deciding to play way past their time, a sports fan can often be left wondering, “what are they thinking?”

Here are five of the worst and most astounding decisions ever.

David Beckham Heads to the States

After playing for two of the most elite soccer clubs on the planet, Manchester United and Real Madrid, he decided to go to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Sure, the $32.5 million deal was pretty sweet, but a star needs a supporting cast, and Beckham didn’t find that in a country where soccer isn’t at the level of sacred like back home.

Tonya Harding Breaks a Leg, Just Not Hers

Being a problem child isn’t a benefit to your career when you’re one of the premier figure skaters of your time. Having your husband hire someone to break the leg of your biggest competitor and America’s sweetheart, Nancy Kerrigan, went well beyond the problem child reputation.

In 1994, Harding pleaded guilty, resulting in the United States Figure Skating Association banning her for life. As for Nancy, she became even more loved.

Michael Jordan Takes His First Retirement

After the Bull’s first ever three-peat in 1990-93, Michael Jordan decided it was time to play baseball to honor his father. The GOAT of basketball ended up playing in the minor league, and the Bulls still had a good season.

Fortunately, he returned to basketball in mid-1994. He shockingly pulled off another three-peat over the 1995-98 seasons, solidifying Jordan’s and the Chicago Bull’s place in history.

Michael Vick Runs a Dog Fighting Ring

You’re considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and the face of the Atlanta Falcons from 2001-06 but decide to run a dog fighting ring? Not a good move. Being found guilty in 2007 and serving two years in prison can hurt an NFL career.

Amazingly, Vick came back to play for the Eagles and found some redemption but dog fighting is still a stain that will always hang over him.

Sammy Sosa Corks His Bat

A top MLB slugger and a legend breaks his bat at the plate. Low and behold, the ump sees it has been corked to get longer hitting distance and ejects Sosa from the game. While claiming he accidentally grabbed the corked bat, many wondered how long he’d been cheating.

Sammy Sosa ended up tarring his legacy forever.

Sports Stars have made some tremendously ridiculous decisions. We could go on about Brett Farve ditching the Packers, Mike Tyson biting an ear, Barry Bonds shooting up, or the worst in history, Pete Rose gambling on his own games.

There will always be a sports decision that leaves fans scratching their heads.

Today’s sports fans don’t just want their favorite teams to win. They want them to do their part for their planet and its people, too. The good news? It’s a win-win. The more fans demand of sports franchises, the more they deliver with much-needed corporate social responsibility efforts.

Want to cheer on the franchises that are getting it right? Read on for a roundup of five of sports franchises that are winning at CSR.

1. The Atlanta Falcons

With the 2017 debut of its Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this football franchise showcased its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability. Not only were many environmentally kind features built into the stadium’s design, but the stadium is conveniently located near a public transportation hub and even has its own bike valet program.

These initiatives were enough to earn the Falcons the top spot on 24/7 Wall St.’s ranking of the NFL’s most eco-friendly teams in a five-way tie with the Baltimore Ravens, the Chicago Bears, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers.

2. The Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t just killing it on the court. The professional baseball franchise is also killing it when it comes to corporate social responsibility.

According to Arvind Gopalrantnam, the team’s Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and the NBA’s only South Asian holding this role, the franchise has committed itself to social justice and racial equity through everything from visiting the local correctional facility to advocating for voting rights changes with the ACLU.

“We’re super passionate about being agents of change, and the work we’re going to continue to do in social justice is what excites me,” said Gopalrantnam.

Even individual players like Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday have launched their own ethical initiatives, such as giving out winter coats at a local elementary school and starting a fund supporting Black-owned businesses.

3. The Forest Green Rovers

With a name like the “Forest Green Rovers,” it’s hardly surprising that this professional soccer club was recently heralded by FIFA as “the world’s greenest football club.” 

Kits made from recycled coffee bean waste, all-vegan match day foods, an organic pitch, and renewable power are just a few of the initiatives implemented by the club’s owner, “green energy” entrepreneur Dale Vince.

More eco-friendly projects are in the works, including an eclectic team bus and an eco-friendly all-wooden stadium.

4. The Philadelphia Phillies

Alongside fellow Philadelphia team, the Eagles, this MLB team is celebrated for its work on behalf of social responsibility and sustainability with a breadth and depth of programs aimed at giving back.

Through year-round community relations efforts, the Eagles support hundreds of Philadelphia area non-profits. Meanwhile, the Eagles Charitable Foundation has made significant contributions to everything from children’s eye care to autism research.

Another vital cause championed by the Eagles? Ending gun violence.

5. The Seattle Kraken

Ice rinks and climate change don’t exactly go hand-in-hand. However, the National Hockey League has stepped up its efforts on behalf of the urgent issue with the NHL Green Initiative. At the front of the pack? The Seattle Kraken.

Last fall, the ice hockey franchise opened its carbon-neutral Climate Pledge Arena, which features a host of eco-friendly features, including solar panels, electric stoves, and an entirely electric dehumidification system.

Meanwhile, the franchise has also committed itself to rejecting green washing. All single-use plastics are banned inside the stadium, which uses an ingenious “rain to rink” system to turn rainwater into home ice.

The team will also conduct “detailed carbon accounting” to hold themselves accountable and ensure that its efforts are working.

By far the most popular sport in the world, football tends to attract a lot of billionaires to the pitch. Because of the television rights bringing in massive revenue, the wealthy want to line their pockets by getting into athletic ownership, and football is more lucrative than ever. While some clubs are run like a well oiled machine, there are others that suffer from ownership interference (or a complete laissez faire approach) that hurts them, and here are five of the most specific examples of just that.

5. Arsenal F.C.

In many cases of a billionaire buying a professional sports team, it’s because they’re truly passionate fans of the squad. Then there’s the legend of billionaire Stan Kroenke, who is strictly into sports in terms of business. Take his United States ventures for example. Both the Los Angeles Rams and Colorado Avalanche won titles in 2022, both of which are owned by Kroenke. Meanwhile, his football team in England is toiling since it’s a bit of an afterthought. After winning the Super Bowl with the Rams, one fan tweeted “Kroenke lifting the Vince Lombardi trophy may well be the closest Arsenal get to winning a major honour this season.” Ouch.

4. Ujpest F.C.

The Premier League is the main attention getter for club football, but then there are random leagues that we have to pay attention to for some fun headlines. For this one,w e turn to Hungary and NB I for the strange offerings of Ujpest FC. Back in 2011, Roderick Duchatelet purchased the team and despite promises of returning to glory, have not won any domestic or international honours since 1998, far before his ownership. In 2022, Duchatelet wanted to sell the team, but the Russia-Ukraine War caused the new owners to back out of the deal, leaving Duchatelet with a team he doesn’t even want.

3. San Jose Earthquakes

Back in 1996, the United States had their biggest entry into the professional club football world with the introduction of Major League Soccer. One of the original teams was the San Jose Clash, which is now known as the San Jose Earthquakes. SInce their inception, they have won two MLS Cup titles, but it’s been nearly 20 years since that happened. In an anonymous poll amongst those in the MLS, it was San Jose that was picked as the ownership that’s holding the team back the most thanks to their stinginess, but have been able to hold onto a team simply because of being a charter member of the league.

2. Barry Town F.C.

Heading to Wales, we find a fascinating story of a semi-professional team that was once on top of the world during the 1990s when they won multiple Welsh Cups. That was, until, businessman Stuart Lovering came along to buy the team in 2003. Lovering backed out on a lot of promises financially, causing the team to plummet in stature until there was essentially a mutiny. Things haven’t been smooth ever since, with Barry recently finishing toward the bottom of the standings.

1. Milton Keynes Dons F.C.

We finish where we started, in jolly old England, to find the MK Dons from Buckinghamshire. Owned by a music promoter, Pete Winkelman, it hasn’t gone well since his purchase. The club had a split (separating Wimbledon and MK) and the team was almost immediately relegated due to poor performance. Their highest finish since their formation is a runner-up claim in 2014-15…; Football League One.

There are all sorts of clubs and organizations worldwide, but some are a little stranger than others. Here are the five weirdest international sports clubs you’ll ever hear about.

1: The International Footbag Players Association

Founded in 1974, the International Footbag Players Association is the world’s governing body for the sport of footbag. If you’ve never heard of a footbag, it’s a Hacky Sack game played with your feet instead of your hands. The association sponsors tournaments and events worldwide and has its own Footbag World Championships.

2: The International Federation of Competitive Eating

You might not think of competitive eating as a sport, but the International Federation of Competitive Eating takes it very seriously. The organization was founded in 1997 and hosts eating competitions worldwide. If you think you have what it takes to compete, you can sign up for events like the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest or the World Pie Eating Championship.

3: International Club of Ice Swimming

Most people would never dream of swimming in water that’s below freezing, but that’s exactly what members of the International Club of Ice Swimming do. The club was founded in 1992 by a group of hardy souls who wanted to swim in every body of water on earth, no matter how cold. Since then, the club has grown to include members from all over the world. If you’re interested in joining, you’ll need to be prepared to swim in water from -5 to -35 degrees Celsius.

4: The World Egg Throwing Federation

Yes, you read that correctly. There is an international federation for egg throwing. The sport (if you can call it that) originated in England in the early 1800s as a way to settle disputes between farmers. The rules are simple: two teams of three people each throw eggs at each other, and the team that hits the most targets wins. The World Egg Throwing Federation was founded in 2002 and now hosts an annual world championship. So if you’ve ever wanted to hurl eggs at strangers (and who hasn’t?), this is the club for you.

5: The International Society for Sand Swimming

If cold water doesn’t appeal to you, maybe sand swimming will. The International Society for Sand Swimming is a group of people who, well, swim in sand. The practice is said to have health benefits, like improved circulation and lymphatic drainage. And it’s also just plain fun. If you want to join the society, you’ll need to be prepared to swim in the sand at least two feet deep.

Wrapping Up

So there you have it, five of the weirdest international sports clubs you’ll ever hear about. Whether you’re interested in swimming in freezing water, throwing eggs at people, or just exploring the world, there’s a club for you. So get out there and join one today!