At the beginning of the year, Mr Barrington-Higgs addressed the boys encouraging them to “be yourself, at your best”.  In reflecting on this, it is particularly applicable to sport this term. On the sporting calendar this term there were summer sport trials and the swimming carnival over the past few weeks and cross country ahead for all boys.

We know that the reality is that when there is competition, not everyone can finish in the A team or in first place, however, encouraging boys to “be yourself, at your best” provides a different perspective. For one boy in each age group, that will mean finishing in first which should be celebrated, though the efforts of every boy who has strived to “be his best” are to be equally recognised and celebrated.

At a school carnival level, each boy should be striving to do his best knowing that he is representing himself and his house and that without the efforts of each individual boy, the house does not succeed. Each Saturday every primary boy represents Newington in a team sport. Regardless of the result of the game, boys should first focus on their effort, and then how that effort contributed to the performance of the team. If every boy is striving to be his best on the court or the field, there is a sense of satisfaction knowing that nothing was left in the tank, then the result can be reflected upon from that perspective.

From a parent perspective, rather than the first question being “did you win” or “what was the score” as the boys come off the field or court could it be “are you proud of how you played today?” or “did you give 100% out there this morning?”. These questions take away all opportunity to blame team mates, or an official if a decision or result has not gone the way the boys would like, but forces a level of accountability for the individual boy to the team.

While sport is competitive in nature, and everyone likes a win or a positive result, if boys are individually forced to consider are they performing “at their best” then that is all we can ask of him. By nature, if every boy is performing at his best, the team has the very best chance of success and victory, whatever the sport or competition may be.

Eliza Monaghan – Sports Mistress