The reactions we are seeing to the good and bad sides of sport are indicative of a theme being repeated in many sport communities around the world.
Here is Canada, there was a recent poll that indicated 90% of Canadians thought sport was good for society. However, only 10% of those responding to the poll thought that the sport community was delivering on that message.
We have a movement here within the sport community called True Sport to help promote the good in sport and it has recently moved to a more visible platform, brand and marketing campaign. They have some great resources and tools for helping sport communities promote the good in sport. Among these are their Principles for Sport;
Go For It
Always rise to the challenge.
Discover how good you can be.Play Fair
Play honestly and obey the rules.
Winning is only real when competition is fair.Respect Others
Respect teammates, competitors and officials both on the field and off.
Win with dignity and lose with grace.Keep it Fun
Have a good time.
Keep a positive attitude and contribute to a positive atmosphere.Stay Healthy
Respect your body. Keep in shape.
Avoid unsafe activities.Give Back
Do something that helps your community.
And on that last note they also present a series of Principles for Communities;
Recognize Sport as a Valuable Community Asset
Help sport live up to its full potential.
Enable it to contribute to the well-being of the entire community.Champion Ethical Conduct
Commit to fair play. Make respect for the rules, officials, coaches and players a priority –
on the field and on the sidelines.Promote Inclusion
Remove barriers. Encourage participation.
Make it possible for everyone to get involved and stay involved.Strengthen Connections
Create opportunities for people to get together through sport.
Make newcomers feel welcome. Promote friendship, trust, cooperation and respect.Support Excellence
Teams and athletes carry the hearts and hopes of the community wherever they compete.
Help them to be the best they can be.Foster Healthy, Active Lifestyles
Inspire people to get active and stay active. Offer a variety of sport opportunities –
both structured and unstructured – that are inviting, enjoyable and rewarding for all.Create Safe and Welcoming Environments
Develop, protect and nurture places and spaces that are hospitable and conducive
to the safe enjoyment of sport.Celebrate Contribution
Recognize and honour the people – coaches, organizers, officials and volunteers –
whose contribution makes sport possible and positive in the community.
Take a minute to visit the True Sport website
Alan
Submitted by AlanC on Tue, 11/28/2006 - 10:28am
Thank - you Alan for this ! I see in other threads bickering about local and haole issues around paddling - It is all about the idea that sport is good for community and that it is good for the individual. Maybe in that order ! The individual athlete like an elite k-1 paddler is certianly working for personal benefit but it is a community that supports their effort to make it to a podium.
I think the The team or group is maybe more important than the individual ! for sure it is the Team or group that makes the individual.
I think of the canoe club and their paddlers as member of three communities - or circles of success.
PUBLIC COMMUNITY
the paddling club in the general comunity of the place you live in- who are we? and how do we give back to the community as a whole ? .
PADDLING COMMUNITY
The club with in the paddling community - who are we? How do we contribute? How do we race ?
CLUB COMMUNITY
The paddlers within the club - how do we play with each other.How do we support/ encourage each other.
Yea sport is Good - good for all of us.
#1 Tue, 11/28/2006 - 4:25pm