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Phiwokuhle Mothemela
WHEN the first lockdown came into effect two years ago we all were taken aback. We had to re-evaluate and adjust our lives accordingly.
Apart from people who are still reeling from the effect the pandemic has had on us I think children and school sports have suffered the most.
School sports gradually started coming back into the picture a year ago at a stop-start pace, and those who have worked hard behind the scenes to bring this about have reaped the benefits this year.
I think all school sport coaches will agree with me when I say they had their work cut out for them this past season. Apart from having the big task of reintroducing school sports to children, a far bigger task was dealing with players’ lack of commitment.
I often wondered how I could possibly balance empathy, ensuring progress within a team and where I must draw the line.
Many of our children call it quits after the slightest inconvenience.
On a weekly basis I’d receive last-minute excuses for why they cannot attend practise, and as a coach I would make a judgment call on whether to excuse them or not. But I often did, careful as I was not to project my own passion for sports onto children.
Yes, the pandemic played a very big part, but I do believe parents also need to teach their children the importance of commitment. These are, after all, mutually inclusive.
When looking at how schools across the board are performing, as a coach one cannot help but do some introspection. One often finds oneself wondering if one is actually doing the correct thing and if the children or team is benefiting from one’s work.
Lack of commitment affects the consistency of the team, which is something learners and players need to understand. Being in team sports and not doing one’s best does not only reflect on one as an individual but the whole team, because it breaks the rhythm and camaraderie.
That said, very well done to the coaches and teams who were able to work towards and achieve the goals they set for themselves this season, having the dedication of the whole team.
To us who battled, try again next season.
Something I take away from this season is that although most times people attribute the success of a team to the coach, how well able they are to impart their skills and knowledge to a team, a huge chunk of the work lies with the players, because as a coach one provides only guidelines, but the players execute it.
Accountability and commitment are truly where school sports’ success lies, and the sooner everyone understands this and actively works towards putting these into practice the better.
Worcester Standard
