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Let sport accomodate all sizes, it's more fun that way.
Big neck. The first time I had a good glimpse of an international rugby player up close, that's what I noticed most. The fact that he had a blonde slung over his shoulder like a boa didn't escape my attention either. But that neck was massive, almost unhuman.
What I've always loved about rugby is the diverse selection of individuals who play it. You've got hookers - some of whom are so burly they're almost round. Then there are the props: tall, earless and often toothless. In the backline, you've got flyhalves (mobile gnomes) and the supremely athletic wings, centres and fullbacks. It's a box of all sorts. And although this month's Dubai Sevens is a lot of fun, I must admit that I miss the circus-like spectacle of 15s rugby. Sevens squads typically resemble backlines – all rangey, athletic carbon copies.
Which makes me think (as I'm prone to do late every month) asides from rugby, what other sports are there that allow people of different body types to participate?
In the era of David Boon and Duleep Mendis, it could be argued that cricket was such a sport, even with a niche for those who were abdominally endowed. But today, all we have is rugby and that sport of champions... darts.
While shortened versions of sports (think 20/20 and rugby sevens) have vanquished those who are not physically up to scratch, have you ever wondered what's in store for darts?
Will we one day see a shorter, more athletic version of the game, where players will have to run in at full steam before hurling the dart? I say no. In the interest of diversity, fight discrimination. Keep sports slow, simple and accessible to all... even those with five thumbs. And the abdominally endowed.
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