The Recognition Minute

One Umpire, Two Umpire, Three Umpire, Four! March 16 2017, 0 Comments

Except for December perhaps, field hockey season could be yours to choose.  While competitions may be held during a specific season, there is always time for a friendly or a bit of extra practice.

Indoor turf is a wonderful invention, allowing for all year round hockey.  This means extra time to prepare for the competitions, for the trophies, the accolades and the medals.

As with all team sports, there are rules that give clear boundaries to the manner in which the sport is to be played.  Players may have one aim in mind: to score trophy-winning goals but this, not at all costs.  When a player is seen by one of the two umpires to break the rules, they will be blown up, the play stopped and the necessary sanction imposed against them.

Field hockey is a little different to some other team sports in that there are two umpires controlling the game. Technically, each umpire is responsible for one of the two halves of the field but in practice, they often control the diagonal half of the total playing field. Sometimes a reserve umpire is appointed since injury is a possibility in this fast-moving game.  In world class games, technology is used to check certain decisions.  A video umpire is also available.

A video umpire is reserved to assist with decisions pertaining to the legality of a goal. Some of the more common transgressions that are well monitored by the video umpire are related to whether the ball actually crossed the goal line, whether it was hit from within the circle and whether it touched a player’s stick illegally.  There is little chance to sneakily break the rules these days… or maybe just occasionally, but it’s not worth it. The trophy stakes are high and the competition is fierce!

All trophies from Prestige Awards can be customised for the occasion, making them special:  http://www.prestigeawards.co.za/products/hockey-player-female-miniature-award

Aluminium trophies can be mounted on a smart wooden base. These trophies were designed by Prestige Awards and are unique in their class.  These trophies are also customisable to reflect the name of the club, school or event.  We would love to discuss with you and ideas that you have for different designs and bring them to life in  our factory.  http://www.prestigeawards.co.za/products/hockey-m-ring-floating-trophy-t0425

Resin trophies are molded according to a three-dimensional design then cast.  The resin is given and antique gold look, which brings with it a sense of tradition.  http://www.prestigeawards.co.za/products/hockey-goal-resin-trophy

Add spirit to your hockey game with a hockey trophy from Prestige Awards. 

 


Origins of Cricket January 11 2017, 0 Comments

Cricket originated in England during the late 16th century and became its national sport 200 years later.  International cricket matches began in 1844 and 34 years later, test cricket was recognized, albeit retrospectively.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the game of cricket spread and became a competitive sport that traversed language and culture.  Today it’s the second most popular spectator sport in the world!  However, its rise to popularity in the USA has been resisted by zealous supporters of baseball, one of the favoured summer sports in that country.

What would a game be without rules?  How would one know who would lift the cup?  The basic rules of cricket seem to have been understood from the beginning but being a game for gamblers, firm terms were needed to avoid arguments off the field.  Formal written codes of practice and the Articles of Agreement were drawn up, purportedly by the second Duke of Richmond and one other.   In 1744, the Laws of Cricket were recorded for the first time and some 30 years later the 'lbw' law and bat width was finalized.

Cricket continued quite uneventfully, interrupted only by major wars, owing to the lack of players and funding but curiously, on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo, British soldiers played a cricket match in the Bois de la Cambre park in Brussels, to be called later La Pelouse des Anglais,  The Englishmen’s Lawn.

Bowling of the ball as we know it today was not always in fashion. 'Round arm bowling' as it is known gathered pace in the 1820s, causing concern among traditionalists and rule-makers.  What would cricket be like today if Dale Steyn delivered under-arm balls to Adam Gilchrist!  In 1889 the four ball over was replaced by a five ball over and then, by 1900, the current six ball over was introduced, which remained except for a short period of experimental eight ball over games, ending with the break out of the Second World War in 1939.

One of the most significant crises to hit international cricket was the suspension of South Africa from international competition in 1970, which lasted until 1993 when the South African Government’s apartheid policies began crumbling.  It was then that South Africa was restored to international competition and regained its glory. 

Test cricket is not for everyone.  In the 1960s, English country teams started playing one-innings games which grew in popularity and in 1969, a limited overs national league was created.  Limited overs cricket was further enhanced by television, high-speed camera’s allowing for ultra-slow motion replays and review, and digital technology.  Cricket analysis was no longer dependent on sharp eyes and experience eye but evolved with the availability of more exact analytics, which has lead to the introduction of the third umpire.

Today, most schools play cricket and enjoy the input of coaches and umpires who have been seasoned by a heritage of over 300 years.  Not only do the scholars play for coveted team trophies but for equally important awards such as ‘bowler of the year’, ‘best fielder’ and ‘most improved player of the season’.  Supporters are also awarded tokens of appreciation in the form of shields and medals, which adds to the spirit of this wonderful game.  Long live cricket!


The Meaning of a Name December 08 2016, 0 Comments

How many times does one mention, write or sign their name in a life time? Where does your name appear the most?  Who knows your name?

 

The purpose of a name is to give you an identity. Some names have well-known meanings such as Peter, from the Greek – Petros – meaning ‘rock’.  A name may be chosen at birth because they represent the nature of the child or possibly the circumstances under which that child was born.  How about June or Joy?  Others may be chosen for aspirational reasons, as a wish for what the child could become, such as Hercules, Faith or Beauty. 

 As we go through life our names are our tags. We boast a name as our address on an envelope or on an item that we possess.  We display it on LinkedIn and Facebook, on office doors and possibly even in the form of a tattoo. As mobile people, we have business cards with our names on it, enabling us to convey who we are and what we do.

 What about forgetting names?  Ever heard it said, “I never forget a face but a name is impossible for me to remember.”  What is a face without a name?  Accordingly, another very useful aid is to wear a name badge.  The name badge is worn like a brooch and can be designed with style, too.  Technology allows us to print name badges in full colour and fine detail, on a number of different materials such as vinyl, aluminium or brass, custom shaped for every customer.  This means that your name badge can be more than your name.  It can be your brand, your designation, your style.  It is a useful introduction as it speaks on your behalf to those around, helping to initiate discussion in your work and social environment, and preventing that awkward moment for your clients when they forget your name!

Have a look for a few different options here.


The Red Ribbon November 27 2016, 0 Comments

In 1991, twelve artists got together to discuss a project that would get people talking about HIV and AIDS. Their purpose was to bring about awareness about this silent disease tat was much wider spread than just the gay community.  This was ten years after the emergence of HIV as a dangerous and stigmatized syndrome, affecting millions who were suffering behind closed doors. 

Inspired by the yellow ribbons tied on trees to support the US military who were fighting in the Gulf War, the group chose to design the bold, red ribbon that is worn today, symbolising a passion and a heart of love. The shape was easy for anyone to make and wear.  Within weeks of the red ribbon appearing, world-famous actors started wearing it at high-profile award ceremonies such as the Oscars and it was a short step from there until it was universally recognized as the symbol of sympathy and support of those living with AIDS.

You can join the high society and the humble by wearing your red ribbon now.   Why not get your ceramic ribbons and lapel badges and show your support for greater awareness, this World AIDS day, the 1st of December.


Of Wreaths, Cups and Shields November 26 2016, 0 Comments

Awards are presented in recognition of a job well done.  Unlike in the times of the original Olympic games, where wreaths were given to the winning athletes, today, recognition comes in many forms.  Awards will often symbolize the event with e.g. a soccer figurine or rugby boot and ball.  The name of the participant may appear on the trophy, too, applied through laser etching, scratch engraving or full colour UV printing.

Another popular choice of a symbol for an award is the shield.  These are usually made from a hard wood such as Teak, formed in the shape of a knight's protective shield and adorned with small silver, engraved plaques.  The idea of a shield may have developed from the times when armies captured bounty from fallen men and returned these spoils to their kings or emperors as evidence of victory.  The tradition of displaying our achievements continues today but happily, we have moved from the battle field to the sports field.