In sports, we face the honesty of real competition, of winning and losing, of staring down struggles like life can bring—WHEN THE STAKES AREN’T HIGH!
Are sports even important? I mean, in the grand scheme of life and in the futures our young people face, do sports really matter?
I feel like it’s unfair for me to answer the question solely from a coaching perspective. One could argue I’m biased simply because I’ve dedicated almost two decades to the pursuit of developing track-and-field athletes. But…I also have a nine year old--a beautiful, yet spicy, aspiring trackster.
Watching my girl work to pursue a “highly coveted” position representing her elementary school at the District’s Elementary Track Meet has afforded me an additional perspective.
I’ve long held that participation in sports provides athletes and coaches the opportunity to face fear and adversity that we might otherwise try to avoid. I’ve seen the struggle time and time again—sometimes the athlete wins, but sometimes the fear.
For the last week I’ve watched my daughter’s desire to race battle the fear that competition brings. I’ve seen confidence fight against self-doubt, and the thought of being the best (or the fear of not being) inspire late-night broad jump sessions in our living room.
And this is not a small thing, for in between practice attempts she hears: You might qualify or you might not, but do everything you can to be your best! That’s all you can do…it’s all any of us can do.
Sports are important! They’re important because they orient our young athletes to practice facing life’s troubles. In sports, we face the honesty of real competition, of winning and losing, of staring down struggles like life can bring—WHEN THE STAKES AREN’T HIGH!
If my daughter lines up to race and gets toasted, she’ll have to face it, work through it, and make decisions about what to do for next time: walk away or pursue getting better! But it’s still just a race. And the next race, she’ll be stronger—better prepared. There are certainly consequences for failing in sports—none of them comfortable--but they often aren’t as extreme as the lasting consequences we bear if we fail to face life’s challenges that impact family, relationships, or career in adulthood.
Where else can we find such practice for life? The options are few.
Participants in sport learn how to get gritty when it’s time to work…to practice…to focus on their weaknesses (not avoid them) to get better.
I can’t help but think that those who’ve practiced facing the terrible reality of life and competition--and done so honestly--will be those positioned to best lead as future fathers, mothers, spouses, bosses. I know I often think that if I can help to squarely orient my daughter in the world to battle against that which might bring her down, those in her world will be better for it.
Are sports important? Ask the nine-year-old who just received her ticket to compete in the Elementary Track Meet!
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