The World Cup has been dominating headlines, but there are lots of other off-pitch competitions worth paying attention to. Read on to find out some activities that could become your new passion.
Don’t worry though. If you’re looking for more about “the beautiful game,” you can also check out GBH News’ World Cup collection.
Yours in media,
Elizabeth He, Visual Communications Editor
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From the arts to history to drama and beyond, dig into a weekly interesting topic featuring GBH programming.
Play Ball!
Learn About Cricket from Matthew Lewis
Get to know the ins and outs of a sport All Creatures Great and Small fans see a lot of. Increase your cricket IQ!
A New England Original: Candlepin Bowling
Learn about candlepin bowling, a sport invented in Worcester but little known outside New England.
Flag Football Breaks New Ground
Read how Roxbury Community College is making history with flag football.
What Is “Ping-Pong Diplomacy”?
You may have heard that term on the news or maybe even from the movie Forrest Gump. Find out the real story on Your Serve or Mine.
Savannah Bananas Are Shaking Up Baseball
This is baseball like you haven’t seen before. While you wait for this groundbreaking team to return to the Boston area this summer, enjoy this GBH News coverage from 2023. Play ball!
Calling All Pickleball Fans
The host of Outside Chance takes on the national pickleball champion, Rachel Kroog. Do you know what it means to be “in the kitchen?”
Edgar B. Herwick III also explored this popular recreational activity on The Curiosity Desk.
Sports on Wheels and Water
I’ve Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates
You may know roller derby from television and movies, but learn about its unexpected origin and what makes it special.
Skateboarding Expands Its Reach
PBS News Hour examines how skateboarding has been reaching new audiences. See how the skate parks have changed.
Will China Be the New Surfing Powerhouse?
In Hainan, China, hundreds of athletes (as young as nine) train as part of the Chinese National Surf Team. On Doc World: Surf Nation, learn what the experience is like for two top prospects.
The Beauty of Learning to Swim
Learning to swim is a rite of passage for many children. POV Shorts: Swim Lessons brings us into the world of a swim instructor. Experience the magic of the experience.POV Shorts: A Swim Lesson.
Come Sail Away
In 2024, Cole Brauer became the first woman to sail solo nonstop around the world. Watch PBS News Hour's coverage of the story.
Major Taylor: A Cyclist for the Record Books
Join the GBH Forum Network for a talk about Major Taylor, a legendary cyclist who battled racial prejudice and systemic barriers to triumph as the “world’s fastest man.” Learn about Taylor and his connection to Waltham, Mass.
Recipe of the Week
Baseballs, Ping Pong Balls, Bowling Balls, Meatballs
Make these Classic Keftedes (Greek Meatballs) from My Greek Table with Diane Kochilas.
Telling Sports Stories
- Go behind the scenes of GBH’s sports beat with lead sportswriter Esteban Bustillos and GBH News’ Worcester reporter Sam Turken. Learn how they’ll cover the FIFA World Cup and other sports stories in the year ahead.
- Boston Public Radio discusses the climate impact of events like the FIFA World Cup and the cost of attending. Listen here.
- The Culture Show’s Jared Bowen talks with Matthew Shifrin, founder and CEO of Bricks for the Blind, about how Lego can be used to make rock climbing accessible to blind climbers. Check out this unique approach!
- Panelists on Breaking the Deadlock, led by moderator Aaron Tang, use hypothetical scenarios to explore the topic of sports gambling and its impact on young people. What restrictions are needed?
Dive Into America 250
CRB Classical Presents 250 Years of American Music
The first of CRB Classical’s new series, 250 Years of American Music, has arrived. All summer the team will spotlight American music and composers. The first entry highlights George Gershwin. Follow @crbclassical on Instagram for more.
Off Topic
- Did you know Top Hat, a new musical from London’s West End, is available to stream? Here’s a clip.
- Why do people hate pigeons? The Curiosity Desk gets some answers.
- There’s lots of talk about the tick-borne Alpha-gal syndrome. Get the facts.
