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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
The Weapon
September 3, 1988. 33,000 fans, a sellout at venerable St. James’ Park. Home of Newcastle United, an English Premier League soccer team. Along with a friend, I join thousands of rabid local supporters in the Gallowgate end of the stadium. It is standing room only. Crammed, almost crushed together, quite literally pinned shoulder to shoulder, we fight to hold our positions. The energy is electric. The tension palpable. A sparkling new West Stand set to open. The excitement cap
hydesollie
Oct 15, 20256 min read
Time and Love
Late September. Not too bad, as weekends go. Plenty on my docket, but still time to focus closely on various international athletic events. First up is the Ryder Cup, a biennial competition between Europe and the USA. Twelve players represent each side. A head-to-head, match play event over three days. 28 points on offer. Plenty of spirit, drama, and tension, not to mention incredible golf. Alas, the 2025 version, held at Bethpage in New York state, is also not without signif
hydesollie
Sep 30, 20254 min read
Numbers Game
August 5, 2014. Twenty miles south of Paris, in the suburb of Marcoussis, a Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool B match plays out. The final...
hydesollie
Sep 22, 20254 min read
100 Up
My filing system needs a serious upgrade. Because, for the life of me, I cannot lay hands on the actual letter my father sent me upon...
hydesollie
Sep 4, 20254 min read
Whiff of Danger
June 2025. The Ring of Kerry, a popular tourist route in southwest Ireland. A family holiday takes us along the Iveragh peninsula. Our...
hydesollie
Aug 27, 20253 min read
Sheer Delight
It could have been any major athletic event. Any sport. Which one in particular does not matter. What does matter is that the recently...
hydesollie
Aug 8, 20253 min read
Ice Cream
As much as anything, it is the sounds I remember. 2012. Late on a glorious Thursday afternoon in the third week of May. An exciting...
hydesollie
Jul 29, 20255 min read
Crooked Timber
One month. 12 stadiums. 32 teams. 63 games. Mercifully, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is finally over. Certainly, some of the football, or...
hydesollie
Jul 19, 20254 min read
Food for Thought
Kenmare, Ireland. A Saturday in early June. On holiday, alongside my wife and two sons, I enjoy an evening stroll. Suddenly, without...
hydesollie
Jun 20, 20254 min read
North Face
Late March 2025. An email arrives, choc a bloc full of details. From a member of my high school graduating class. He outlines plans for a...
hydesollie
Apr 24, 20255 min read
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