Co-curricular - Junior Sport
Week 6
When it comes to sport, most people would say I am biased as to the benefits and purpose that it provides in our daily lives. Honestly, I would have to agree. I know that there are a great many pursuits that provide growth and development opportunities, but to me, sport just can’t be beaten.
Sport has the ability to bring out the best in us and develop us in ways that we could only imagine. Whether we are building resilience after a loss or fighting hard to stay competitive during a game; or we are feeling the success of accomplishing a goal; or breaking a new personal best, there is so much good that can come from being involved.
Unfortunately, sport can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one side, as discussed, it can bring out the very best in us. On the other side, it can bring out our worst. Unfortunately, much of this worst has come from the sidelines in the recent past. You only have to look at the news to see and hear that referees have been abused by spectators, or that there have been riots by fans after their team has lost (in some cases won). When we turn our focus on to kids’ sport, the sideline also can prove to be an area of concern.
All too often on a weekend morning, you can hear spectators tell children who are playing on the field or court what they are doing wrong, what they should be doing or exactly what they think of the referee/umpire. This has prompted many initiatives such as the Shoosh for Kids Initiative to the signs that are placed around the College each and every weekend, reminding spectators of appropriate behaviour. While we are getting very good at raising awareness of these issues, the question needs to be asked, should we have to?
As parents/carers standing on the sideline, it is our job to be supportive of our sons and be uplifters and sources of encouragement. Positivity is the name of the game, and our focus should be on keeping the teams focused on their successes, even in the face of a defeat. Leave the development to the coach and always refrain from commenting on or to the referee/umpire. By doing these small things, we are able to create an environment where everyone involved, player, spectator and umpire are free to learn, develop and most importantly have fun.
Week 7 leads us into the long weekend. As such, there will be no fixtures played on Saturday 10 June. This is a great opportunity to rest and recover after 6 weeks straight playing Winter sport. With this in mind, Week 7 will see some changes made to training. All teams will complete only their long, first session in Week 7. For most teams this is the Monday session. For the 11A1 and B1 Football teams, they will complete their usual session on Tuesday afternoon. The 10C Football team will train on Monday with the 10A and 10B sides. On our return in Week 8, training will continue as scheduled from Tuesday. Saturday 17 June will be the last round of Winter sport for Term 2. The final three rounds of the season will be played in early Term 3.
The Junior School House Athletics Carnival will be held on Breen Oval on Wednesday 21 June. Parents/carers are warmly welcome to come and spectate and cheer on all the Junior School boys. Spectators are asked to please sit along the green benches running the length of Fraser Street and boys will not be permitted to come over to the parent area. I look forward to seeing many of you there for part or all of the carnival as we keep our fingers crossed for some great weather on the day.
John Locke
Junior School Coordinator of Co-Curricular
* ‘Shoosh for Kids’ is a collaborative effort between the Office of Sport and sector partners to encourage positive spectator behaviour at junior sport.