Sports
Posted on Nov 11, 2009
AT RPDS we do not have interscholastic sports teams; however, our commitment to physical fitness, sports and outdoor activity could not be stronger. These coordinated activities build teamwork, camaraderie and life skills. Years ago I saved a news clipping that reported that the Walkerville High School Girls Basketball team beat the Hart Lakeshore Public Academy girls by a whopping 115 to 2! The news reporter felt it was important to relate that, “it could have been worse.” Oh, really! When we judge the impact of a game using only superficial criteria like wins and losses, score differentials and MVP’s we miss the rationale for the inclusion of athletics within a school co-curricular program. Frankly, the commercialization of sports (and that is not merely a phenomenon afflicting professional levels) has clouded their real value. It is vital that the adults in such situations insist upon perspective surrounding children’s athletic contests.
Early in my career I coached extensively and will always fondly recall a particular high school varsity soccer team that never won a single game in the two years I worked with them. I know, you’re thinking, “some coach!” Well maybe, but these were a mixed group of both boys and girls, most of whom had never played high school soccer. We played in a boy’s league with state championship squads and schools able to separate their boys’ and girls’ programs. We could not. There were close games, overtime games and occasional losses that never were in question. We probably still hold the record somewhere for one goal losses. Yet never has a team given more, played more enthusiastically, practiced harder or believed in themselves more fervently. In the end they were proud of their accomplishments and they learned that the experience was about much more than winning.
A hallmark of physical education programs in independent schools has been the values that individual and team sports promote. Students learn to participate, to persevere and to depend upon teammates. They bond as fellow participants and they learn that groups accomplish more together (even in losing) than they ever could as individuals. It may not be immediately obvious that participation also teaches students that there is a way to LOSE as well as a way to WIN. Unfortunately, the team from Walkerville apparently missed that learning opportunity. Imagine your son or daughter on the team from Lakeshore, how would you help them to positively reflect on what their experiences mean long term? Enjoy the game!
