14th May 2010
Dear Staff, Girls, Parents and Supporters,
As we move along with the winter sporting fixtures, it is as well to remind ourselves of our “sporting philosophy”. I am sure that you are as concerned as we are, at the decline in the standards of sporting behaviour both on and off the field in most codes of sport. Bad sportsmanship spoils the game and creates bad feeling among players and spectators. It is our wish that all at Collegiate will take the initiative in getting our house in order, and in so doing set an example to other schools.
Naturally, when we play our games, we try our best to beat our opponents. To do any less would be to rob them and us of some of the enjoyment that we gain from playing sport. However, we do not subscribe to the policy of “winning at all costs”.
The “costs” also include cheating, display of temper, over robust play, disputing the referee’s/umpire’s decision, fighting, gamesmanship, etc. Unfortunately we see some of our international and provincial sportsman indulging in these practices, a very poor example to our young sportsman.
Let us not descend to this level. Happily, many of our leading sportsmen still know how to play the game!
WHY DO WE PLAY SPORT?
Surely for healthy recreation and enjoyment. Sport at school is also part of the educational programme, not only because it promotes physical fitness, but also because it encourages the development of self-control, co-operation, loyalty, unselfishness, determination, leadership and other such qualities. Competition is good and an important part of the game, but should not engender hostility and bad feeling.
SOME GOLDEN RULES WHEN PLAYING SPORT.
- Give of your best. Practise hard and take pride in your fitness. Never give in during a match as this spoils the game for your opponents and your teammates.
- Keep a sense of proportion. Remember it is only a game and not a war. It is not a major tragedy for the school if we lose.
- Get to know the rules and abide by them. Don’t try to gain unfair advantage by breaking the rules deliberately in the hope that you will get away with it. This is cheating.
- Accept the referee’s/umpire’s decision without question or hesitation. Never show irritation, disagreement or disgust. Remember that even the best referees/umpires make mistakes, and bear in mind that they are often doing the job out of the goodness of their heart.
- A good sportsperson exercises self-control. He plays the ball and not the man. Leave it to the referee to sort out over robust play.
- Do not indulge in displays of “temperament”, such as throwing your racket or stick, shaking your head, grumbling etc.
- It is unsporting to look for excuses for your defeats, for example, blaming the pitch, the umpire, the wind, or the absence of one of your players.
- Show courtesy and friendliness towards visiting players, coaches, umpires/referees and supporters.
- Take pride in being neat and properly dressed for your sport. Treat all equipment and facilities with the utmost care.
BE A GOOD SPECTATOR
- Encourage our players, but also show appreciation for the opponents’ good play. Never jeer at their efforts or make disparaging comments. Cheer for the good plays and moves!
- Do not run up and down the touchline or encroach on the field of play. Remember that over-enthusiastic, partisan spectators can inflame the feelings of the players to the point where they lose self-control.
- Do not get into arguments with supporters of the opposing school.
- 4. A steady stream of advice to the players from the side of the field is unsettling, confusing and often demoralising. Please, no sideline coaching whilst the games are in progress!
- Loud criticism of the referee/umpire only makes for trouble and also unsettles the players.
- Maintain self-control and a sense of proportion. If our team is losing, it is not the end of the world!
We have a proud record of sportsmanship at our school. Let us all work together to keep it that way, and enjoy our sport.
Yours sincerely
Sports Administration
Collegiate High School
18 May 2010
Thanks to Mr L Pearson for contribution of this important concept.
