top of page
A Life In Sport
A blog by Ian Hyde-Lay
About
ABOUT
Ian Hyde-Lay is a teacher who lives and works in Victoria, BC. He has been heavily involved in sport his entire life, as a player, coach, referee and administrator.
All Posts
Marathon Man
It is a badge of honour, and it traces back centuries. It confirms that, in completing a particular, grueling long distance run, one must...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Mar 19, 20213 min read
Humble Pie
March 8, 2026. It is International Women’s Day, and, once again, this gets me thinking. Thinking back to events over fifty years ago, thinking of a special mentor, thinking of important lessons learned. Which, in my case, needed to be relearned. 11 years old, I am in sixth grade at Mill Bay Elementary. I can’t specifically recall much of what we study, other than the basics of reading and writing and math. But Helen Gosnell teaches us all the subjects, so obviously is very ca
Ian Hyde-Lay
Mar 9, 20214 min read
Gone, But Not Forgotten
March 17, 2026. All around the world, celebrations in honour of Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, get underway. Made an official feast day in the 17th century, March 17 each year commemorates not only Patrick himself and the arrival of Christianity in the country, but also, through parades, festivals, shamrocks, and the wearing of green attire, the heritage and culture of the Irish. Moreover, the holiday's tradition of unbridled revelry takes me back in time to one of my
Ian Hyde-Lay
Mar 2, 20215 min read
Like The Gipper
For me, as a young boy growing up, he is the stuff of legends, his story one that stands the test of time. An American gridiron star, he...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Feb 23, 20214 min read
Curiosity and Controversy
No question about it. I am curious. November 14, 1987. Shortly, I will take up residence underneath the grandstand at Royal Athletic Park...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Feb 15, 20214 min read
Vindication
For those who enjoy travel and love hoops, there are worse ways to spend a summer. It is late August 2013. I journey to Puerto Rico and...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Feb 9, 20216 min read
Lockdown
Springtime. The war is finally over. 21 years old, he demobs from the Royal Navy. Not sure what the future may hold, he departs England,...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Feb 2, 20214 min read
The Epic Comeback
I fall. Hard. Along with many others, I fall hard for a gutsy and resolute group of Indian cricketers. A month ago, they leave Adelaide...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Jan 20, 20214 min read
Tradition
The rain hammers down, and the wind howls. The damp seeps into my bones. It is early January, dreary, dark and exhausting, in the Pacific...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Jan 18, 20214 min read
Albert Park
Middle of February 2000. I arrive in Fiji, set to officiate at a long awaited Rugby Sevens tournament, the sixth of ten events that year...
Ian Hyde-Lay
Jan 7, 20214 min read
bottom of page