OPINION: There was a time when masters sport was considered, at best, a novelty, at worst a bit of a joke, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Old-timers might have read about the one-game suspension of Highlanders players Adam Thomson and Michael Hobbs with some dismay, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Southland's major golfing tournament needs a refresher, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Would you risk you life for a game of cricket, or a shot at a Commonwealth Games medal?, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: After a series of delays the first members of our Winter Olympics team were announced yesterday, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: The Gary Lawson situation has become a blight on the good game of bowls, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Southland is blessed in having produced some of New Zealand's most well-rounded, highest achieving sportspeople, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: On New Year's Eve, having smashed our way through the day's early deadline, a colleague and I headed out for the golf course, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION:  Boxing Day, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION:  I guess we will have to take a "suck it and see" attitude to the split national provincial rugby championships proposed for 2011, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: After a season full of slings and arrows, it seems the outrageous fortune of several NPC teams has ended up being much ado about nothing, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Depending on what time you get out of the scratcher on a Saturday morning, football's World Cup draw may have already happened, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: You might have heard the name Tino Tabak mentioned in association with Southland sport in the past, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: I'll admit it, I'm an All Whites convert, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: The Tour of Southland is special, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: So that's it, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Southland is the new home of the Ranfurly Shield, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Netball rule changes for the Fastnet series played in England last week were a step in the right direction, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Floyd Landis has created a stir in New Zealand cycling circles weeks before he even arrives in New Zealand for the Tour of Southland, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Fleeting fight fans might have felt a little hard done by when Shane Cameron slumped to the mat seconds into the second round against David Tua on Saturday night, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: I'm not sure how to feel about the Tua v Cameron fight on Saturday, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Like the rest of New Zealand, Southland is pretty ambivalent about recognising and celebrating its sporting heroes, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: Long-time Southland fans are buzzing, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: The signing of Leana de Bruin by Steel last week is a significant move for the franchise, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: For a first-time event, the Winter Games held throughout Central Otago during the past 10 days certainly had an impact, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.

OPINION: I'll put my hand up and admit I got it badly wrong picking Hawke's Bay over Southland last week, writes Nathan Burdon in this week's Straight Up.