Co-curricular - Junior Sport
When it comes to sport there are many rules and regulations everyone must follow. Whether it be players, teams, coaches, officials or spectators, there are codes of conduct, game rules, social laws and the list goes on. One thing that all involved in sport believe, is that whatever the game, good sportsmanship is always expected.
Overwhelmingly, the boys at St Patrick’s College display this ideal at every event. We make no apologies that we play hard, but we play fair as well. We have a will to win and take pride in our crest, but this does not come at the expense of lowering our standards and cheating ourselves and others in an effort to win.
Good sportsmanship is expected by all schools, clubs, and teams. It is what reputations are built on and goes a long way to developing the sporting culture. Besides building the reputation and culture, there must be something else, another ideal or reason to be a good sport. Where is the benefit of good sportsmanship, if you can win by bending or breaking the odd rule?
The answer lies in the lessons learnt. Only the good sport has to battle through adversity, learn to deal with bad decisions and find a better way. Through being a good sport, players build resilience and mental strength. They become more analytical of their skills and better able to adapt to the current situation. The good sport can find a way through the difficulties and maintain their focus and keep their determination. They are cool under pressure and lead by example. The good sport may lose the battle every now and then, but ultimately, they win the war.
It is wonderful to see the boys in the Junior School take to the fields, courts, and diamonds each and every week and challenge themselves against the opposition. They play hard and want to win but do so always in the manner befitting a student at St Patrick’s College. We should be and are very proud of the efforts made by the boys this year. With only 2 rounds left of the summer season and the sporting year for the Junior School, I wish everyone playing, coaching, and spectating an enjoyable and successful end to the season.
John Locke
Junior School Coordinator of Co-curricular