We recently had our agency sports day, personally my favourite day of the year. Old school, egg and spoon race, three-legged race, a weird game we made up with bean bags and buckets, a tug of war and the ubiquitous game of rounders/softball hybrid (with lots of arguing about the rules). And a few drinks in the park.
The first thing I noticed from my vantage point at first base was how much people were smiling and laughing and just simply enjoying each other’s company. The second thing I was told that I was smiling and laughing more than anyone is used to see me smile and laugh so maybe I need to do it more.
The most noticeable thing however was how competitive people became. How can I say this without being disrespectful to those in the agency that were in the hockey/netball/football/rugby/name another sport team at school but I think most people were not jocks at school. Most were probably the cool set who had the latest music and were smoking behind the bike sheds (yes I know schools don’t have bike sheds any more). And yet they were screaming at their team mates to run faster, pull harder and high fiving when they won. And obvs there was a big argument when one of our more sporty/cheaty senior designers did a switch hit and got a home run and my team lost the rounders.
So, what’s my point? That sport can be a great thing when it’s about participation and doing something together. People forget themselves and just get stuck in. It doesn’t have to be elite or organised or even everyone wearing the proper gear – unlike cyclists – you never see a cyclist who looks like they are just starting without all the fanciest gear. They are always kitted up to look like a Tour De France competitor. Where are the beginners? Sport is always heralded as a way to keep fit, but it’s so much more than that.
Having recently watched the amazing second series of Field of Dreams with Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff (recommend you watch it even if you are not into cricket) it reinforces how sport can be a huge force for good.
Having grown up in Bradford I never ever thought cricket was an elitist sport but it would appear the lads in Preston do. But rather than being about breaking down class barriers, what the series has shown is that having the hobby or anchor of sport and being part of a team can help in so many aspects of life. The lads who have been part of the show have found a purpose in life that they lacked before. They have discovered confidence to do things and put themselves in situations which they never would have considered previously. Even the responsibility of getting out of bed and turning up to have breakfast together seemed beyond them at the start and now they understand the responsibility to the team and to the coach.
Flintoff must take a lot of credit for this as he shows an understanding of their positions and lives that others may not. The second series is split over his life changing accident while filming Top Gear and the serious facial scarring he has suffered from, again gives him an empathy towards them, their anxieties and their difficulties. His coach Kyle Hogg (who I met recently and was one of the most genuine people I have ever spoken to) must also take a lot of credit for showing an unbelievable amount of patience with some difficult and frustrating characters.
The most amazing thing though is the challenge of the sport and getting out of their comfort zones. Trying something new, challenging themselves and embracing the competitiveness of sport has made them blossom. A couple of friends of mine are involved in Tackle London and Stars – both schemes use rugby to help young people who have had a difficult start in life and if you have 5 minutes check out their links.
At Ponderosa we have lots of clients that are involved in sport at many levels and watching the show and on a very different level our sports day has made me reassess how people view sport and taking part. And while clients will and should continue to sponsor sport at the elite level, there is also a real benefit to be had from getting involved at the grass roots/hobby participation level and see what benefits that can give.
Or organise a game of rounders. Just don’t invite Paul Sonley.
