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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Ultraviolence of viral games knocks sports safety back centuries
The dangerous new 'sport' called Run It Straight has already led to one known death. Created in Australia, Run It Straight is a new, ultraviolent combat sport. Across a 20m x 4m grassed 'battlefield', two players charge at full speed towards one another. Alternating between carrying the ball (ball runner) and defending (tackler), victory is awarded via a knockout (a competitor cannot continue), or a judge's decision based on an athlete's dominance during the collisions. Despite neuroscientists issuing grave warnings about the brutal sport's risks, Run It Straight's viral popularity on social media, including its endorsement among high-profile athletes, is accelerating. Melbourne hosted the inaugural ' Runit Championship League ' event at the beginning of May. Footage showed some participants convulsing after their collisions as the winner celebrated, surrounded by children. Drawing hundreds of spectators and millions of online views, the full-speed collision challenge is already turning its violence and social media footprint into commercial success abroad, securing interest in the US. The sport held some events in New Zealand in the week of 19 May, but one was halted by the Auckland city council because of safety concerns and the failure to secure necessary permits. A history of sport and violence In ancient times, symbolic cultural displays of power and physical dominance featured in combat sports such as wrestling, boxing, pankration (a mixed martial art combining boxing and wrestling) and even armoured foot races. This brutal entertainment is reflected in contemporary collision sports such as the National Rugby League (NRL) in Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian Football League (AFL). In recent decades, however, the danger of concussion has resulted in most contact sports changing rules and regulations to protect athletes from head injuries. Various measures have been implemented to mitigate, eliminate and treat head trauma. The Australian government has been exerting influence and committing material resources to support athletes living with brain issues such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Considering this multipronged effort to make contact sports safer, the violence of Run It Straight is jarring. Why are these new sports so popular? With its origins as a social media challenge, Run It Straight is perfect content for short-form social media platforms: an entire competition can be distilled into a 30-second highlight. Compared with many collision sports that have complex rules and strategies, which can be a barrier to interest, engagement and commercial returns, the accessible and minimalist format of Run It Straight also makes it attractive to fans. Run It Straight and other emerging violent sports such as Power Slap – a fight sport where contestants slap each other so hard they can be knocked unconscious – are simplistic and brutal. Athletes in most traditional collision sports use their physical ability and skill to evade contact. Similarly, boxing is not just about strikes to the head – it is also about evading punches, supreme physical fitness and scoring points. But the visual spectacle and shock of two people running towards one another for an inevitable collision is a form of violence that appeals to an increasing number of fans. Risks and possible remedies Run It Straight is a new sport, and to our knowledge there is no empirical peer-reviewed research focusing on it. But many neurologists have expressed concerns about its total disregard for scientific evidence showing that repeated head trauma damages brain health. With Run It Straight appearing to lack the medical resources and infrastructure of professional sports organisations, and the competition's expressed intent to have participants collide at high speed, the risk of significant injury is high. Power Slap, though, has been the subject of empirical research. A 2024 study reported that many of the sport's combatants showed visible signs of concussion (motor incoordination, slowness to get up and blank and vacant looks during bouts). Opportunity for 'traditional' sports? The rise of Run It Straight and Power Slap creates a unique opportunity for the governing bodies of contact codes such as the AFL, NRL and rugby union to highlight what sets them apart. Key to this is athlete safety. For years, governing bodies in these codes have invested time and resources to implement concussion management protocols at professional and community levels. The tournament-based format for individual adult participants allows Run It Straight to operate without the broader governance responsibilities of football codes. However, it is because of those governance responsibilities that the football codes can amplify their athlete wellbeing credentials to reassure participants and parents who may be nervous about concussion risks. Second, the football codes are organised team sports played with multiple players on a team, facilitating skill acquisition, teamwork, mental wellbeing and physical fitness. Although there appears to be a degree of camaraderie during Run It Straight events, it is evidently a one-on-one competition. Ultimately, the rise and evident popularity of Run It Straight and Power Slap provides a stark reminder there will always be a section of society that is drawn to high-risk behaviours. In turn, the football codes should look to highlight the value of balance and their athlete wellbeing credentials. DM First published by The Conversation. Christopher Yorke is a lecturer in sport management at Western Sydney University; Michelle O'Shea is a senior lecturer in the School of Business at Western Sydney University; Jeremy Sleiman is a lecturer in sport management at the Australian College of Physical Education and a research assistant at Western Sydney University. This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Lost $200m in startup bust to alcohol addiction: Ex-AFL Joel Macdonald star reflects upon his downfall and how he fought back
Joel Macdonald , former Australian Football League (AFL) star, has revealed the reason behind him turning to magic mushrooms after he lost $200million after the collapse of his global tech business. MacDonald, 40, who played for the Brisbane Lions and Melbourne Demons, retired in 2013 after which he turned his attention to GetSwift , his start-up in 2017. Following the launch of his startup, MacDonald enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle which was short-lived after everything fell apart following a ruling by a federal court judge. According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, the former AFL star was ordered to pay $1 million and was also disqualified from managing corporations for 12 years, as the Federal Court handed logistics provider GetSwift the largest-ever penalty for breaching continuous disclosure laws. The court stated that the defender turned entrepreneur was focused on his bank balance, not 'his legal obligations as a director.' 'A few years ago I lost 200 was f---ing brutal,' Macdonald said in a recent YouTube interview. Macdonald turns back pages of life Live Events Speaking about his downfall in the interview, MacDonald claimed that at the age of 30 he was at the top of the world. He also said that during that time he was one of Australia's youngest public company CEO's who was enjoying first class (flights), best restaurants. Macdonald, who claimed to be in the young rich list before everything vanished, was ultimately out of his depth in 2018 when Get Swift's downfall began. Macdonald's company's trade was suspended by the Australian Securities Exchange over allegations that he misled the market by overstating forecasts and failing to disclose the loss of major contracts. To make matters worse for him, a record penalty of $15million followed and Macdonald was also ordered to pay $1million in damages, according to media reports. He was also disqualified from managing corporations for 12 years. The court, at the time, described Macdonald's startup GetSwift as a company that 'became a market darling because it adopted an unlawful public-relations-driven approach to corporate disclosure. It further said that the company was instigated and driven by those wielding power within the company.' How Macdonald brought best out of him after downfall The NFL star admitted that his professional reputation was destroyed and he resorted to consuming alcohol and anti-anxiety drugs as a coping mechanism. 'The rage I felt inside of me that it was all over was insane,' he said. Macdonald also revealed that a magic mushroom retreat, daily journaling, meditation and therapy helped in becoming the best version of himself. Magic mushroom retreats are guided, multi-day experiences which are designed for healing and personal growth. As a part of the experience, participants consume psilocybin mushrooms in a safe, supportive setting with trained facilitators.
Epoch Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Cost of Tasmania's Stadium Project Blows Out to Nearly $1 Billion
A multi-purpose stadium project with 23,000 seats in Tasmania has been subject to a cost overrun of $230 million (US$149 million). On May 27, the Tasmanian government released details of a bill to enable the construction of the Macquarie Point Urban Renewal Project—a major redevelopment initiative aimed at transforming a disused waterfront site in Hobart into a vibrant cultural, scientific, residential, commercial, and tourism precinct. It now seeks input from the public to facilitate the project's development. As part of the consultation, the state government announced that the cost of the Macquarie Point Stadium, a core component of the proposed precinct, had been revised to $945 million, up from the $715 million forecast in 2022. According to the Tasmanian government, the cost increase was necessary to ensure that the stadium could better meet the requirements for 'a wide range of planned uses,' including cricket. 'It also accounts for detailed items such as audio-visual, communications, kitchen, and food and beverage fit-outs,' it said. Related Stories 2/25/2025 12/11/2024 The Australian Football League (AFL) has made the construction of a new stadium a non-negotiable condition for granting Tasmania a licence for its own AFL team. Under the deal between Tasmania and the AFL, the state government will face a $4.5 million penalty if the stadium is not 50 percent built by October 2027 and another $4.5 million if it is not ready to host football matches by 2028. With the opening of the public consultation, Tasmanian Business and Industry Minister Eric Abetz said it was time for the state to begin building the stadium. 'We have been remediating and preparing Macquarie Point for development for over twelve years, and we know this land is the best available CBD site for a stadium,' 'It is time to draw a line in the sand and provide certainty for our own AFL Team and the enabling infrastructure that is critical to make our team a success. 'The impact the multi-purpose stadium will have on our economy, jobs, and investment is simply an opportunity we can't miss.' The consultation will close on June 16, 2025. Funding for the Project The Tasmanian government has committed $375 million to the stadium, with the federal government expected to spend $240 million. AFL has agreed to contribute $15 million. It is understood that the state will fund the remaining $300 million via borrowings. As the project receives the support of both the Liberal government and the Labor opposition, the bill is expected to pass Tasmania's lower house in the coming months. However, to pass the upper house hurdle, the state government will need the support of crossbenchers, some of whom have expressed disapproval of the project. The Greens' Response Following the release of the new costing, the Tasmanian Greens Party criticised the Liberal government for the cost blowout. '[Premier] Jeremy Rockliff said that he personally would make sure the stadium would be delivered on time and on budget. He mocked opponents and the Greens when we said the stadium's starting price would be a billion dollars and that it would be all up from there,' 'But now he's confirmed we were right on the money, announcing a revised starting figure of $945 million. 'Yet the premier still won't admit that he's broken his promises to Tasmanians not to spend more than $375 million of their money on a stadium.' The Greens further warned that more cost blowouts would come as other projects, such as the Cradle Cableway, had reported a surge in construction costs.
Metro
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
90s pop star slams fans for taking toilet break during show
Tina Arena has taken aim at fans who left their seats at her concert to go to the toilet. The Australian singer-songwriter rose to fame as a child on the variety programme Young Talent Time, then beginning her career as a solo singer aged 17. Her second album Don't Ask, which was released in 1994 reached number one on the Australian charts, while it also peaked at number 11 in the UK. In 1996 she was also nominated for International Breakthrough Act at the Brits, however it was won by Alanis Morissette. In the years since she's sold over 10 million records worldwide. However, this week Tina, 57, was left unimpressed while putting on a show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne. During her Don't Ask Again tour, Tina launched a scathing attack on fans who moved from their seats. Some fans, who paid around $250 (£125) for tickets, needed a toilet break during her set. Them deciding to go to the bathroom reportedly upset the singer, who called them out. 'Back in my day you wouldn't leave to go to the toilet unless you were s***ting your pants,' she said, as reported by the Herald Sun. However, several people who were at the concert defended the singer. 'It was a tongue in cheek comment. Also let's not discuss the drunken people disrupting and having a brawl, that resulted in the show being stopped for 10 mins whilst security escorted the people out. Tina was absolutely fabulous,' Berni commented on FaceBook. 'I was at this concert and I have never experienced the amount of people getting up and walking up and down aisles. It was disappointing and disrupting to the patrons. Multiple people around me could not believe how many people were walking up and down…it was ridiculous. She simply asked for people to go between songs and not during a song, a reasonable request,' Raelene shared. 'It was annoying the amount of people walking in front while we were trying to enjoy her concert. She was amazing. I've never been to a concert where some patrons were so disruptive. I'm 65 and I can manage to hold my bladder. We were lucky she spoke so calmly and finished her sets. She also had to deal with a drunken argument in the front rows and a flash going off every few mins,' Pam added. More Trending Last year Tina faced backlash during a performance with Katy Perry at the Australian Football League's Grand Final. In 2023 she had been slammed after admitting she broke Melbourne's Covid lockdown rules in an interview, calling it 'totalitarian' and saying she 'couldn't cope' with being 'fear-driven'. When she took to the stage at the sporting event, boos could be heard among the crowd of 100,000 people at the stadium. Metro has contacted representatives for Tina Arena for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 70s rock star bans fans from using phones at upcoming shows MORE: Liam Gallagher responds to reports that Oasis axed iconic song from reunion tour setlist MORE: Oasis 'axe popular song from reunion tour setlist' due to Gary Glitter connection
Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
David Clifford: GAA clubs of players should benefit financially from AFL moves
David Clifford has suggested the GAA clubs of Gaelic footballers should benefit financially from their moves to the Australian Football League (AFL). Two-time footballer of the year Clifford rejected interest from AFL clubs in 2017 and '18 but he appreciates there is an allure having seen his fellow Kerrymen Mark O'Connor and Cillian Burke join Geelong. Clifford is not fully sure what can be done to incentivise players to stay around, but believes clubs at the very least should be compensated. 'Let's say if you take five of the up-and-coming players in your county, and you want to say to them, 'I'm going to fund your way through college. I'm going to give you a weekly food bill. You can have your lunch in this restaurant every week. And I'm going to help you with your college projects. I'm going to get you a tutor. Pay for your accommodation in college.' 'But who's to say that any of the five of them will still be the top inter-county players in three years's time? Do you know what I mean? So, it's just tricky. And where does that stop and who do you select for that? 'I suppose something that you'd like to see anyway if it was happening, whatever about the person's county, the person's club would be maybe reimbursed in some way. Mark O'Connor of the Cats in action. Pic:'You see the stories in Celtic, Adam Idah's club in Cork (College Corinthians) is still benefitting from that. Hopefully, Caoimhín Kelleher will get his move this summer. And then you see that his club, is it Ringmahon, are looking to benefit from that and what that is going to do for the young people in that club. "Something along the lines of that. I know the money is nothing like that stratosphere, but maybe that's the one thing.' Clifford recounted how AFL clubs courted him. 'I was never approached until probably after that minor year and then I was called in with Kerry a couple of weeks later, so I really just wasn't replying to the people. 'It was Éamonn Fitzmaurice who brought me in at the time. I just felt it would have been kind of disrespectful to him then to be meeting people and discussing these kind of things.' Fossa and East Kerry will come first but Clifford has expressed his interest in playing for Ireland if the International Rules is renewed in Ireland this October as is expected. 'Yeah, I think I'd definitely be delighted to be part of it. 'I just remember often talking to Seamus Moynihan about it and how much he enjoyed it, and he nearly sees it as one of the highlights of his career. So I think getting to experience that would be great. I suppose it would be a bit of a bonus if it was a couple of weeks in Australia.' In the week Kerry retained a Munster minor title, the 26-year-old would like to see minor deciders return to their billing as the curtain-raiser to senior deciders. Clifford graced two minor showdowns on All-Ireland final day in September and believes the experience should be shared by more teenagers. 'Watching the Kerry minors play on Monday night, I think that has to get back being played before the senior game. I just think, as a minor player, that was what it was all about, like, getting to play. 'By the time the second half of the minor game would come on, the crowd would start to come in for the senior game and that was special, I thought. I just said if I had a chance to say that somewhere because I just think we're losing out there big time.' With the grade dropping to U17 and more pressure on younger shoulders, the games were moved to different stagings after the pandemic. Clifford continued: 'It was a great way for people to see the next generation. Like, that (Kerry v Cork) game was played on Bank Holiday Monday. It was streamed on YouTube, but I don't know if the same audience gets to see it then.' *David Clifford was promoting SuperValu's five-year extension of their partnership with the GAA, marking a 29-year commitment to communities across Ireland and making SuperValu the longest standing sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland senior football championship.
