Sport: Character Building or Revealing?
Sport builds character but it can also bring out the best and the worst in us.
We all know that sport makes us mentally and physically stronger, toughens us up, teaches us how to be a good winner and a gracious loser. Sport is character building. How many times have we heard that? But does sport build or reveal character?
There’s no doubt that sport builds character but it can also bring out the best and the worst in us, especially in high pressure situations.
In March 1956 in the final of the mile race at the Australian Championships, the now legendary Ron Clarke is accidentally tripped during the third lap. As he falls, American John Landy jumps to avoid him and catches his shoulder with his spikes. Landy stops and doubles back to check on Clarke before making up an enormous deficit in the last two laps to win the race.
It’s February 1981 and New Zealand need just six runs from the final ball to tie a World Cup Series match. Australian Captain Greg Chappell tells his brother Trevor to bowl underarm, technically legal but fair? Australia wins. Cricket loses.
October 2004 and injured Bulldogs captain Steve Price will miss playing in the NRL Grand Final against the Roosters. His replacement is Jonathan Thurston who gives Price his much-prized premiership ring after the Bulldogs win 16-13.
It is perhaps the most controversial three seconds in sporting history. At the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, the US team enters the final with a perfect winning record since the sport’s Olympic debut in 1936. Their opponent is the Soviet Union. An early final horn from the scorer’s bench sets off a series of errors and the game ends with the Soviets winning 50-49. The US team lodges a protest and, although the result is upheld, they refuse to accept their silver medals which remain, uncollected, locked in a vault in Switzerland.As the finals season approaches, what will the added pressure reveal about members of your club?
As a player, an administrator, a coach or an official, it is your responsibility to ensure that sport is played fair for fun, for fitness, for winning and for losing... but not at any cost.
Have a listen to what Play by the Rules Champion and Socceroos Captain Lucas Neill has to say about sportsmanship. Go to Play By The Rules to hear what other Australian Sporting Champions have to say about sport being inclusive, safe and fair.
In the weeks leading up to the finals season it may be time to remind players, coaches and officials to:
• Act within the rules and spirit of the game
• Give positive comments to encourage players
• Respect officials’ and coaches’ decisions
• Keep emotions in check
• Thank players, coaches and officials
And not to:
• Use bad language or harass anyone
• Criticise or ridicule anyone’s performance
Last Modified on 15/10/2013 12:03
