Newcomers to the game would benefit a lot from having names on the back of jumpers.
Football is a spectator sport, and while spectating, we often make note of who is who. As much as some of us spectators like to exclaim otherwise, football is unashamedly individualized in regards to many areas of the game... when it just so happens to be convenient for us to let it be or pay no mind to.
From commentators mentioning player moments, disposal records, averages and accomplishments - to awards being given based on individual accolades in marquee matches, after the overall season or the Grand Final - to milestones being highlighted in terms of total goals kicked or games played - to certain hairstyles, rivalries, "compare the pair" segments - all the way to the point of showing betting odds for the likelihood of when a player will score, get their first touch, ect; - not to mention how venerated the father/son concept is - while being the most flagrant example of name-based individualisation that there can be. The entire meaning behind it is based on the recognition of names within a team.
Yet, the moment names on jumpers are brought into the discussion - you then have all of the previous examples of individuality thrown out of the window - and arguments of "team" start to conveniently pop up.
We must be consistent with our approach to this, and not let picking and choosing get in the way of the realities of our game today. We are living in the HD era - and as a spectator sport - names on the back of jumpers, while being shown on TV or big screens (or highlights) will undoubtedly help newcomers get acquainted with certain players quicker. Rather than constantly trying to discern a player's face, a new spectator can focus more on what they're doing with the ball. Perception to pairing a face to a name is a lot more efficient than to binary numbers - and has the added benefit of lessening confusion when players choose to leave/change numbers.
This added benefit does nothing to disrupt the game, it does nothing to hinder the play, and does nothing to distract viewing. Thus, the only reason to be against it is based purely on pettiness.
The game's future, especially after what's happened in the last two years, is going to base a lot of its survival and longevity on membership numbers, viewership numbers and crowd numbers, ect; - all influenced by growing interest from potential supporters. Bringing the game in-line with all other sports in making it easier for player recognition will be paramount to helping the game grow to new audiences. It also does not mean that the number loses significance, as the number will always be there, but passed on from host to host as a badge of honour. And as shown before, we have had no problems recognising individual efforts over and over when convenient for us and at no time did it sacrifice our interpretation of it as a team-based best 22 sport.
One could also say that father/son moments would be much more meaningful and impactful, upon witnessing a player don the last name of his father while playing for the same club, and knowing that his future son (or daughter) may have the chance to carry on the same last name on his/her jumper into the future.
720p (2014):
Football is a spectator sport, and while spectating, we often make note of who is who. As much as some of us spectators like to exclaim otherwise, football is unashamedly individualized in regards to many areas of the game... when it just so happens to be convenient for us to let it be or pay no mind to.
From commentators mentioning player moments, disposal records, averages and accomplishments - to awards being given based on individual accolades in marquee matches, after the overall season or the Grand Final - to milestones being highlighted in terms of total goals kicked or games played - to certain hairstyles, rivalries, "compare the pair" segments - all the way to the point of showing betting odds for the likelihood of when a player will score, get their first touch, ect; - not to mention how venerated the father/son concept is - while being the most flagrant example of name-based individualisation that there can be. The entire meaning behind it is based on the recognition of names within a team.
Yet, the moment names on jumpers are brought into the discussion - you then have all of the previous examples of individuality thrown out of the window - and arguments of "team" start to conveniently pop up.
We must be consistent with our approach to this, and not let picking and choosing get in the way of the realities of our game today. We are living in the HD era - and as a spectator sport - names on the back of jumpers, while being shown on TV or big screens (or highlights) will undoubtedly help newcomers get acquainted with certain players quicker. Rather than constantly trying to discern a player's face, a new spectator can focus more on what they're doing with the ball. Perception to pairing a face to a name is a lot more efficient than to binary numbers - and has the added benefit of lessening confusion when players choose to leave/change numbers.
This added benefit does nothing to disrupt the game, it does nothing to hinder the play, and does nothing to distract viewing. Thus, the only reason to be against it is based purely on pettiness.
The game's future, especially after what's happened in the last two years, is going to base a lot of its survival and longevity on membership numbers, viewership numbers and crowd numbers, ect; - all influenced by growing interest from potential supporters. Bringing the game in-line with all other sports in making it easier for player recognition will be paramount to helping the game grow to new audiences. It also does not mean that the number loses significance, as the number will always be there, but passed on from host to host as a badge of honour. And as shown before, we have had no problems recognising individual efforts over and over when convenient for us and at no time did it sacrifice our interpretation of it as a team-based best 22 sport.
One could also say that father/son moments would be much more meaningful and impactful, upon witnessing a player don the last name of his father while playing for the same club, and knowing that his future son (or daughter) may have the chance to carry on the same last name on his/her jumper into the future.
720p (2014):
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