I was recently challenged by a family member to consider a fundamental question: who really cares who can run the fastest? What exactly is the point of sport?
As we celebrate our recent Athletics Carnival, which took place last Wednesday, these questions are worth more than a passing thought. Beyond the standard response that physical activity is the cornerstone of a balanced and healthy life, does sport offer us something deeper?
The Roman poet Ovid once noted, “A horse never runs so fast as when he has other horses to catch up and outpace.” Competition isn’t about ‘undercutting’ the person in the next lane; rather, it provides the spark we need to make a greater effort and perform better than we would if we were simply jogging, swimming, cycling, or playing in isolation.
For our senior school students, sport teaches three vital lessons that have absolutely nothing to do with a stopwatch:
- The Power of Self-Advocacy
In her book What Girls Need, Marisa Porges argues that sport is a primary tool for developing a healthy competitive spirit. Learning to compete, and building this ‘competitive toughness’, translates directly into non-athletic contexts. It is the grit that empowers a student to raise their hand in a high-stakes meeting or speak up when their opinion differs from the crowd.
- Learning to ‘Opt In’
Whether it is vying for a school leadership position or applying for a competitive university course, life requires a specific kind of bravery. Sport teaches us to be comfortable in the contest. It trains us to ‘opt in’ to life’s challenges, knowing we will give our all regardless of the final score.
- Resilience Through Feedback
Sport provides an immediate loop for ‘deep learning’: you take a cue, apply feedback, fail, adjust, and try again. The discipline required to take a ‘loss’ and turn it into a strategy is exactly what defines a successful CEO, artist, doctor, or teacher.
In this context, winning isn’t everything, but the desire to win is significant. The true value lies in the learning that occurs when you seek to understand the game, your team, and your own potential.
Key Reminders
- Sport Centre Car Park: Please exercise extreme caution when accessing the car park and adhere to the speed limit (5 km/h). This is a high-traffic area, and the safety of our students, staff, and wider school community is our absolute priority.
- School Canteen: If you need to cancel a Flexischools lunch order, please do so by 8:00 am on the day of the order. For cancellations after 8:00 am, please contact the school canteen directly to process your request.