The soundtrack of my youth must have been mums and girlfriends saying ‘it’s only a game’, quickly followed by a screaming retort ‘IT’S NEVER JUST A GAME!!!’. So why does sport mean so much to us, and I am loathe admitting it, but it is just a game (uurrgghh! I feel dirty).  

Competitive instinct is a vital part of our genetic make up; basically anyone of our ancestors that lacked it would have found themselves defeated by a rival pretty quick.

With this link it is easy to see why we can be so territorial when it comes to fighting our corner. Obviously competitiveness has very close links to quantities of testosterone, in general, making men much more susceptible to pointless competition and stubborn rigidness.  

Sporting occasions consistently bring in the largest television audiences, peaking with an estimated 2 billion people watching the 2006 World Cup final. Think about that statistic for a moment, that means one in three people in the whole world watched, basically anyone with access to a television watched. The Superbowl and Premier League regularly pull in audiences in excess of 100 of millions. 

 But what has always surprised me is how attached we become to sport teams and individuals with whose success we gain no tangible reward. I’m sure Wimbledon did not pass any of you by, as we all sat gripped to the TV wishing every one of Andy Murray’s shots to destroy his opponent. We support him naturally because he represents Britain and therefore his success reflects well on the country and in turn, ourselves.   

That is not the full story though. I reckon an alien would know when there is a World Cup on and England have won a game. The atmosphere is tangible and the sense of communal spirit and jubilation is completely infectious. How can it mean so much to us; I have cleaned my entire house to get over my nerves prior to England’s quarter final in the 2002 World Cup and have cried salty tears at their impending exit. Sad, I know, but I am not the only one.    

What does sport mean to you? Is it the be all and end all or is it just boys with toys? Is it a vital part of our make up and the more competitive people amongst us are actually the sane ones? Answers on a postcard please.  

To learn more about sport, its science and joys; look at our course leaflet.