Are you part of a sporting club?
What got you there? Was it the sport that you love? Your mates are there?
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| Team spirit can mean so much more |
There are so many reasons that people join a sporting a club. I believe that whatever reason that you join, the reason you stay is because of the sense of community.
People want to belong, and feel like they are a part of a 'group'. Not as a status symbol, but they want that intangible feeling of being wanted and needed. That sense of community and belonging is hard to replicate in any other environment. Sure the sports and health benefits are great too, and be able to be competitive and have your own interest which makes it a very appealing option for many.
This blog was inspired by a tragic loss of a young teenage cricketer (and soccer player) on the Central Coast of NSW. It showed how incredible this sense of community spread so quickly.
His family were involved in the Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club and Avoca Football Club of which became an incredible support for the family and for each other. Within days the clubs sprung into action to provide support to the players who had been affected. The older players being there for the younger players as well as each other. It was incredible to see this shortly after this tragic death, but also at the funeral. Whilst a shame that this situation occurred, it made me proud to be amongst a group of cricketers who clearly were unwavering of their support to the family and to each other.
Your sporting club really becomes part of your family. In fact there are many people you would see from your club more than your own family as you see each other at least once a week (often twice). This is why clubs are so important and that as part of a club you have a sense of responsibility to create that space in those that you are involved in. Its not about in-fighting or politics (whilst many clubs have this), its about coming together for a common purpose of sport but leave with more than just sports in common.
You might be just the person that someone feels comfortable talking to because you share the sport in common. You might be the first person to tell them they have a done a good job, or have great talent. Choose your words to always build up and not pull down. In particular if you have players who are developing or that you are coaching. Always find something good in people that you play alongside.
Parents who are involved in their kids sports, remember that there is a lot they are still learning from you. Choose your conversations about other players and officials wisely when in the presence of your kids. Kids with a bad attitude in sports grow up to be adults with a bad attitude in sports. Talk about how you can support and help your team mates. Speak well of officials and administrators. If they don't get picked in a team don't make excuses, just show them how to be gracious and supportive of those friends who have.
Our family is so fortunate to be involved in 2 great clubs in Kincumber Avoca Cricket Club and Gosford City Rebels. We have great people around us and our kids and are both clubs that are about 'club spirit' and not just about the individual players. Its where we go along to watch others play to show our kids that its not just about turning up to play and going home, but about being there for those people in your club. We chat on the sideline with the families and friends to show we are available if we are needed. We volunteer to make sure that the club can continue to run. All are done happily and willingly, as people before us have done that for us and our children.
If you need connection and community, sure you will find it a variety of ways. Online through social networking sites, at churches, community groups, volunteering at soup kitchens etc. Whatever you do, find somewhere that you can connect. Find people that you can talk to so you will always have someone to ask you 'Are you ok?', it could save your life or the life of someone else one day.
This post dedicated to the Lerway family
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