Watches of Switzerland Group PLC’s Post

🏆 Manchester City has clinched their fourth consecutive Premier League title, a remarkable achievement in the world of football. However, this victory is shrouded in controversy as the club remains under investigation for over 100 breaches of Premier League rules, including financial fair play regulations. ⚖️ While the on-field performance is commendable, the integrity of the league is at stake. The ongoing investigations cast a shadow over their triumph, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of their success. Such circumstances diminish the value of their title, making it appear hollow and unworthy of unqualified celebration. 🔍 It's crucial for the integrity of the sport that victories are achieved within the bounds of fair competition. Until the allegations are fully resolved, these titles should be marked with an asterisk, a reminder of the unresolved questions surrounding their legitimacy. ⚽️ As fans and stakeholders in the sport, we must advocate for a fair playing field where success is earned through merit and adherence to the rules. Only then can we truly celebrate the beauty and spirit of the game. This title should come with an asterisk! #PremierLeague #FootballIntegrity #FairPlay #ManchesterCity #SportsEthics #Football

How often do you look back and let history & legacy influence your next move? This evening we watched a video that we've recently helped our local rugby club produce, to celebrate their centenary year. Our videographer has done a great job putting together an insightful documentary of the past 100 years of Banbury Rugby Club. With photos, videos, and press cuttings showing the history over the past 100 years. The black & white pictures from the 1920s, 30s, 40s & beyond. The changes that war brought about. The changes that each decade inevitably brought about. It's incredible to think that clubs held together by the local community can have such longevity. What a thing to celebrate and look back on! Since getting home my history focus continued having watched most of the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Again, what a reminder of the power of sport. The power to bring people together. As a force for good. Over so many years, the history is incredible. It's so easy to forget to be influenced by history. To forget that you're carrying the torch for whoever came before you. To forget that what you do now is very much connected to the years, decades and centuries that have passed. To give your next move, your current & future decisions some gravitas, remember that people in the future will also be looking back. Looking back at you & your contribution. And it's no longer grainy, black & white footage they'll see, they'll get to see you in perfect HD clarity! Especially given the rarity that someone isn't taking photos or videos of you most days & weeks! I used to ask myself often, what would my Grandfather do? I looked up to him and loved the thought of keeping him alive somehow through my behaviour. Whether it was to refuse to wear a shirt without a collar, just like him, or to wake up ridiculously early and work 15 hour days, just like him, I was keen to keep his influence on me alive. Because history matters and deserves respect. Whatever you're up to this weekend, give a thought or two to history before you act. And remember, whatever you're doing, you're also creating history that others may look back on in the future. #everydays

PROGRESS!! 🙌 SOME KEY EXTRACTS FROM THE SIG ARTICLE: "England players at the World Cup were set to receive fees starting at $30,000 and rising to $270,000 for each member of the winning team, however, the FA decided not to offer the England team any bonus payments on top." Bright added, “We have come to an agreement but I think it’s bigger than just the bonus. For us it’s about being world leaders on and off the pitch, and as we know the women’s game is evolving very quickly and conversations like this need to happen in order to make sure in all areas we’re at the top of our game. “It’s the whole package that comes with the women’s game. It is more than just finances, it’s everything to do with the next generation and making sure … We’re extremely lucky and privileged that we have excellent facilities, and we already set the tone in many areas. I think that those conversations are also just about checking in [with each other] so that if a problem does pop up we’re in a position where we can have an open, honest conversation and be more solution-based, and that’s why we felt really positive." Bititi Strong Women this is a story we need to share! Tsaone Sebele 🙌 https://lnkd.in/ekgrAdvw

Tomorrow morning, when people are talking about the England* football match, there will be all sorts of tactical statements from people who would’ve done a much better job than the professionals employed to do it at the time. After all, things are always much easier in hindsight! What I find particularly interesting though, is not necessarily what is said but the way it is said. I think it often says a lot about a person’s character. Listen for this: ✅ If the team win, most people will make statements starting with ‘We’ (WE played well, WE can win the tournament etc). There will be pride, and an eagerness to be part of the glory that comes from success. ❌ But if the team don’t win, some people will subtly disassociate themselves from it and start their statements with ‘They’ instead (THEY should’ve selected this player, or THEY were rubbish etc). There is far less desire to be associated with failure, and it’s far easier to stand back and criticise. 🔄 Some people are always We, and some are always They, but the most noticeable thing for me is when people switch between We and They depending on the situation. It isn’t just a football thing, either. It happens all the time! 🤔 Have you ever noticed the same thing? If not, you probably will do now! *The same will apply for all other teams as well, I’m sure!

An inspiring story… In the dynamic and often unforgiving world of professional sports, the journey of Harry Maguire a formidable defender and once a proud captain of Manchester United, stands as a profound testament to resilience and the enduring spirit of a true sportsman. Maguire's path in the England Premier League has been a testament to the highs and lows inherent in any great career. He faced a period of intense challenge, where a dip in performance led to a loss of favor. His skills, once celebrated, became the subject of widespread criticism and mockery. This period even saw him stripped of his captaincy at Manchester United, a move that would have demoralized many. However, Maguire's response to these trials speaks volumes about his character. In the face of adversity, humiliation, and abuse, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination. He chose to answer his critics not with words, but with actions, turning a small window of opportunity into a significant turning point. Today, the narrative has changed dramatically. Maguire has not only regained his form but also recaptured the respect of those who once doubted him. Out of 500 players in the England Premier League, he has risen to be recognized as the Best Player of the Month for November. This accolade is a testament not just to his skill as a defender, but also to his mental fortitude and unwavering character. Harry Maguire’s story serves as a powerful reminder: In life, as in football, resilience can turn setbacks into comebacks. It's not about never facing challenges, but about how you respond and grow from them. Maguire has shown that with perseverance and self-belief, it's possible to transform criticism into acclaim and turn challenges into opportunities for greatness. #Resilience #Comeback #Sportsmanship #ProfessionalGrowth #Football"

An extravaganza of sports is on!! From the highs of T20 we roll into the Euro 2024 Football Quaterfinals and F1. While Wimbledon waits patiently for its turn Sports captivates many of us - Few also play it. However, subconsciously it teaches us a lot while at the same time entertaining us. In sports the individual and the team have to run the cycle of “Ponder-Pick-Prepare-Prespire-Perform” in real time and quick time to Prevail. It is this facet which subconsciously all of us relate to and get entertained by. It also gives us all so much to “discuss-deliberate-describe-distort-decimate” to our great delight. The common fact is that all these words are - Verbs. And that is the real essence of what we can gain from sport. It’s not the nouns or adjectives that enlighten-entertain-enrich us - it’s the verbs. That is - to be and to do!!

🌟 The Future is Now: Leny Yoro at Manchester United 🌟 The football world is buzzing with the news that 18-year-old sensation Leny Yoro has joined Manchester United! 🏟️ The intervention of former United legend Rio Ferdinand was pivotal in this £52 million transfer from Lille, securing Yoro amidst interest from Real Madrid. Rio’s personal touch, showcasing the club’s rich history and expectations, was key. This strategy underlines the importance of legacy and mentorship in modern football. ### Key Takeaways: - **Strategic Recruitment**: Rio Ferdinand's involvement highlights how clubs leverage legends within their networks to attract young talent. - **Investment in Youth**: An £52 million investment in an 18-year-old shows the increasing trend of investing heavily in youth players, banking on long-term potential. - **Player Expectations**: Young talents are now groomed with a deep connection to the club’s ethos, fostering loyalty and high performance. Yoro's debut against Rangers not only showcased his talent but also drew comparisons between his style and Ferdinand’s, hinting at a bright future. 🌟 ### Implications for the Industry: - **Mentorship Programs**: Clubs may benefit from developing structured mentorship initiatives with former players. - **Youth Investment**: Clubs are likely to focus even more on nurturing and acquiring young talent. 💬 What are your thoughts on this transfer strategy? Can other clubs replicate Manchester United's success in attracting young prodigies? #FootballTransfers #YouthTalent #ManchesterUnited #FootballStrategy #Mentorship #SportsIndustry Read more here: [BBC Sports - Leny Yoro Transfer](https://lnkd.in/e63-3Tct

My three sons all support Scottish Rugby.  And after this weekend’s result against the French, that is a commitment anyone would start to question. Why follow a team that manages to regularly grab defeat from the jaws of victory?  Why endure the heartache of watching a golden generation of players fail in every major competition?  Why do all referees seem to have a vendetta against us (I’m talking about you Craig Joubert)? Why do all of that, especially given that all three were born and raised in England? Group identity is a powerful emotion.  That feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself.  That shared sense of belonging and commitment that group members have towards each other and the group as a whole.  It can unify you in the depths of shared despair, give you courage to fight together or the resilience band together to keep going.  Strangers are instant compatriots, united against a common threat.  A positive shared identity can be the keystone of inclusion, collaboration and trust.  Which raises the question - why do so may organisations ignore it? Sure – many will reference their organisational purpose as the source of their unity.  Which is true – up to a point.  But if purpose is ‘our why’, then identity is ‘our who’.  A solid, clear sense of organisational self would seem to be a necessary first step on the road to defining your contribution to the world around us.  Without it, it’s much harder to recognise and leverage the collective strengths and capabilities needed to keep going in the face of adversity.  Just ask my sons, who’ve already learnt that stoicism, resilience and a good sense of humour are essential attributes for supporting Scotland.  What is your organisational identity and how does it make your teams stronger? 

Great to see Senators Jerry Moran and Amy Klobuchar embrace our long-standing belief that The White House must create a federal level entity to focus on the myriad challenges and opportunities that lie ahead through the landscape of coming global sporting events in the United States. From the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States to the 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Utah and all the major events in between, the economic and global stakes are too high for us to rely on the status quo. A proactive approach is crucial to meet the demands ahead. https://lnkd.in/eNhp57iY