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

Masterpiece

The first week of March. The days lengthen. Afternoons grow warmer. And spring cleaning, an annual rite of passage, begins. I hunker down...

hydesollie

Mar 114 min read

Anything but Super

Early January 1969. Ten-year-old me roars with laughter. The cause of my merriment an unfathomable pre-game prediction. Courtesy of a...

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Feb 165 min read

Ain't Over

Summer, 1966. Central Vancouver Island. The ball flares weakly off the bat, heads gently towards right field. I rush in, track it down,...

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Jan 214 min read

Athlete of the Year

Summer 1968. A family dinner comes to conclusion. My siblings head outside to meet up with friends. Yet, I remain at the kitchen table....

hydesollie

Dec 31, 20244 min read

Senegalese Santa

Rags to riches. A young boy grows up in Bambali, in Senegal. Loses a revered father at age 7. Years of harsh living follow. Starvation,...

hydesollie

Dec 18, 20243 min read

Touch 'Em All

Unfortunately, it is a tale as old as time. For, in sport, at every level, there are opportunities for athletes, coaches, and teams to...

hydesollie

Nov 26, 20244 min read

The Fields of Athenry

Victoria, BC. Lunchtime, November 8. A pale sun finally peaks through the clouds. I should be outside, going for a hike perhaps, maybe...

hydesollie

Nov 14, 20244 min read

Slainte

November 5, 2024. A restless night. A fractured sleep. I toss and turn, my dreams interrupted by images of the USA election. The very...

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Nov 6, 20244 min read

MacArthur Park

Melbourne, 2024. Power House RFC enjoys the most successful rugby union season in its proud history. Three senior sides celebrate Grand...

hydesollie

Oct 24, 20243 min read

The Main Ingredient

Vancouver, BC. October 12, 2024. It is a promoter’s dream, as the top tier 2025 Women’s Rugby tournament (WXV 1) comes to a close. The...

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Oct 17, 20244 min read