Four life lessons I learned from sport
1 - Mental strength determines your level of success (cricket)
The difference between success and failure in cricket is concentration. That takes mental strength. Sir Donald Bradman is the best batsman ever because when he reached 100 runs, he didn't relax. He said other batsmen got out, he didn't. Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich are current Australian examples of players with excellent mental strength (not that it's helping them much at the moment... and I really, really dislike Katich's approach to the game. But anyway). The Australian team has been so successful over the last 15 years due to their sheer mental dominance. Many teams were beaten before they even stepped onto the field.2 - You can be better than someone else (aka everyone is not equal) (basketball)
Play one-on-one with someone for an hour, and you'll soon find out who is the better basketballer. I used to love the game because I could prove that I was better. Sure, an inferior player can still cause problems. But it soon becomes obvious that one is better than the other. In basketball, talent and skill eventually comes through.
3 - Creativity is best married with discipline (soccer)
Soccer is a game of free expression. No time-outs, usually very free-flowing, and incredibly skilful. However sheer creativity will not succeed. Otherwise all those guys you see juggling oranges and scoring crazy trick goals would be superstars. No, the most successful players are those who can keep their creativity within a system. Who track back, defend, make the runs they're supposed to make, and then use their skills to unlock defences and make the pass no one else can see. Players who cannot marry their creativity with discipline get left on the bench and derided as "luxury players".
4 - If you want to compete at the highest levels, there's nowhere to hide (AFL football)
AFL football is a game where the smallest mistake can have huge consequences. A missplaced pass can lead directly to a goal. Failing to track a player at a stoppage can see the ball travel 140m in three kicks, meaning your team has gone from attack to defence in less than seven seconds. At lower levels of football you can get away with being slightly less accountable and get away with mistakes. However at every level of footy the players who make it are those who can be relied on to do their jobs 100 per cent of the time. At the highest level, every mistake is noticed. There is nowhere to hide. If you want to play with the best, you need to be prepared to be accountable for every action you take.

BONUS: 5 - Netball is for girls! ...and Mike ;) heh, no, I like netball.

And Dr Harry has written his own thoughts about Lara Bingle. I agree with his thoughts on this issue. Why does the girl get all the blame?