Insider Sport’s Matchday Programme offers a personal look at what sporting moments and figures have inspired industry stakeholders. Through candid reflections, the programme delves into the stories behind the inspirations that have shaped their perspectives and fuelled their passion for sports.
In this edition, Chris Newbold, Director at Vision4Sport, shares his admiration for Tiger Woods, praising his unmatched winning mentality, resilience and ability to transform the face of golf, making it a “cool” sport. Newbold reflects on Woods’ incredible focus and mental strength, qualities that not only set him apart from his peers but also inspired a new generation of athletes.
Which athlete do you think demonstrated the best winning mentality throughout their career?
Tiger Woods
Who was your childhood sports hero and why? Which of their sporting achievements had the biggest impact on you?
Tiger Woods and David Beckham: Tiger for his mentality, for changing the face of golf and making it a “cool” sport, and David Beckham for getting the absolute best out of his talent to achieve amazing things in his career. Also, his resilience after France 98.
What sports team do you follow the closest? Is this a family team or local side etc, and what has been the biggest moment in your history of supporting this club?
Nottingham Forest, very much a local thing. I’ve spent all my life in Nottingham and played for the academy growing up. I am just about old enough to have been a Forest fan at the end of the Brian Clough days, never a dull moment.
Is there a team manager from any sport, whether that be football, rugby, NFL, NBA etc, who you think demonstrated the best leadership qualities?
Bobby Robson would take some beating, maybe not an old-fashioned leader but you listen to anyone that played for him and he was the best man-manager they ever had.
What sports tournament do you think consistently provides the biggest thrills? Which moment from this league stood out to you the most in recent memory?
The Ryder Cup never fails to deliver, from War on the Shore at Kiawah Island to Battle of Brookline and the Miracle at Medinah, Rome wasn’t bad either.
If you could travel back in time to any historic sporting moment to watch it then and now, which would it be and why?
Tiger Woods winning The Masters in 1997 by a record margin.
If you could go out for dinner with any sporting figure, current or historical, who would it be and what would you want to learn from them?
Tiger Woods had the pure will to win and mental strength, he never doubted himself and nine times out of 10 he was right. There’s a famous interview he did before his first PGA Tour start with Curtis Strange where he said he was looking to win that week, as a seasoned Pro Strange thought he was being cocky and had no clue what was waiting for him on the PGA Tour, Tiger won twice that year and his first major the following year.
To read last week’s edition of the Matchday Programme, featuring Malph Minns, Managing Director of Strive Sponsorship, who reflected on the profound impact Jurgen Klopp has had on him, click here.
