What a great story of citizenship, and respect for the game. I have seen this before, bur it was recently brought back to my attention, and I thought it was a great thing to share!
"At the end of the eight-hour school day, students walk through the doors and gates of our gyms, rinks, pools, courts and fields to be a part of the high school sports experience. They show up with a backpack of "stuff" they have acquired through the day: stuff that includes friends, popularity, comparison, teachers, being in, being out, academic content, who's who, success, failure, cliches, boyfriends, girlfriends, acceptance, and rejection, just to name a few. ... Many students are looking for a place where they will be accepted... where they don't have to pretend and they can show up as their authentic selves They want a place where they don't have to try to fit in. They want a safe place where they belong. ... Fitting in and belonging are not the same thing. ... Belonging doesn't require us to change who we are: it requires us to BE who we are. ... Can you recall a coach to whom you were connected - one who accepted you for you and created a safe place where you belonged? ... When a coach is aware of their purpose and creates this place of belonging and connection, it is called a TEAM. ... Students can walk through the practice doors at the end of the school day and instead of clutching their backpacks, they can put them down. When we intentionally create this place, the conditions are right for deeper, life changing experiences where work can be done collectively to reach a common goal; where everyone has a role; where students can be themselves and are also aware that they are part of something greater than themselves; and where learning, growth, and connection are the purpose.... We must intentionally give students experiences that are about more than just the game and instead are relevant to real life; real life skills that are necessary to work through problems, resolve conflicts, be responsible, strive for excellence, find value in mistakes and failure, help others succeed, be a contributing member of a group, and see life through the lens of possibility... We need to create a TEAM - "place" of safety and belonging so we can move people of importance, our athletes, from where they are to where they need to be.
- Excerpts taken from "Creating a Place of Belonging" by Jody Redman
- Excerpts taken from "Creating a Place of Belonging" by Jody Redman