School of sport: PAY TO PLAY

WATCHING sport is incredibly costly.

Figures found on the internet suggest that someone in the UK who follows his local English Premier League soccer team might pay between four to five thousand US dollars per season for tickets and rail travel.

We would also need to factor into those costs the shirts (home and away kit, plus third kit – another seventy US dollars, minimum, each), scarves (another fifteen US dollars) and whatever other kit the supporter would need to wear.

But, come on! Why would anyone spend so much money simply to watch their soccer team play (especially if it often ends in heartache). Is there any benefit?

More importantly, we might ask if anything is ever learned through it.

What would a child learn from such an experience following a team around the country all season?

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Sure, they might learn a little about loyalty, sticking with someone even when things are tough.

They might learn some Geography as they travel to all parts of the country (though who will be teaching them about what they are seeing or passing through?).

More realistically, they are likely to learn more swear words; they are likely to learn that if they do not like a decision to shout and abuse those who make such decisions.

They might learn songs that show disrespect to others who are not part of their group.

We would pay good, hard-earned money for that, would we? Does any of that help the child?

Yet conversely there are some who will question why parents are prepared to pay a lot of money for a child to attend a school where they will play sport.

There is a well-known piece (though the initial authorship appears to be unknown) in which a parent answers that very question.

The parent responded initially by saying “I don't pay for my kids to do sports. Personally, I couldn't care less about what sport they do.”

The response that follows however does reveal that he does care about the importance of playing (not simply watching) sport.

When asked what then he is paying for, his response is as follows: "I pay for those moments when my kids become so tired, they want to quit but don't. I pay for those days when my kids come home from school and are 'too tired' to go to their training but they go anyway. I pay for my kids to learn to be disciplined, focused and dedicated.

I pay for my kids to learn to take care of their body and equipment. I pay for my kids to learn to work with others and to be good teammates, gracious in defeat and humble in success.

I pay for my kids to learn to deal with disappointment, when they don't make the squad or title they'd hoped for, but still they go back week after week giving it their best shot.”

 Have we grasped yet what he is saying? Listen some more: “I pay for my kids to learn to make and accomplish goals. I pay for my kids to respect, not only themselves, but other players, officials and coaches. I pay for my kids to learn that it takes hours and hours, years and years of hard work and practice to create a champion and that success does not happen overnight.

" I pay for my kids to be proud of small achievements, and to work towards long term goals. I pay for the opportunity my kids have and will have to make life-long friendships, create lifelong memories, to be as proud of their achievements as I am. I pay so that my kids can be out on the field instead of in front of a screen.”

In summing it all up, he declares: “I pay for the opportunities that sports provides my kids with to develop attributes that will serve them well throughout their lives and give them the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen so far, I think it is a great investment!"

The writer is showing incredible wisdom, maturity and understanding in stating all that.

 The question the rest of us need to answer is this: if that is what the parent wants (and that is precisely what every parent should want) then are we who are coaches and parents teaching those things for them to learn?

Have we taught them how to be gracious in defeat and humble in victory? Have we shown them how to respect officials, opponents, team-mates? Have we taught them the importance of the long-term development, not the instant result? Are we giving them what they are paying for?

We pay for our children to play. We must ensure playing pays handsomely for their sake. The bottom line is this: it will be worth it. It is a huge investment with rich dividends.

Pay it.