Style: May 06, 2016

70 Style | opinion
Keeping Your SideLine StYLe
Sportsmanship: fair play, respect for opponents, and polite behaviour by
someone who is competing in a sport or other competition.
Sledging:
the practice of
making taunting
or teasing
remarks to an
opposing player,
especially in order
to disturb their
concentration.
In April I had the pleasure of
attending my third Maadi Cup in
the beautiful Mackenzie Country.
The event brings secondary
school rowers from all over New
Zealand together for a week of
competition at the highest level.
The pride I felt as a mother
was not only for my child, but for
all children attending. The time,
discipline and sheer determination
that brought all the competitors
to that week was inspiring. It’s
often an emotionally charged
journey – bringing great highs and
lows that challenge both individuals
and teams.
Another round of seasonal sport
is underway, in which we will be
faced with varying scenarios of
sportsmanship, good and bad.
Dreams of sporting excellence can
seduce some parents/caregivers
and even coaches to completely
lose perspective of the really
important things in their child’s life
– ultimately, they are a child.
The genuine will of parents
for success for their children can
unfortunately blur perspective
of what is acceptable as fellow
human beings. Sporting tactics
are a genuine element of any
discipline and great science and
methodology provide tooling for
further advantage and success. But
what if sporting tactics then put an
organisation or individual’s integrity
into question?
Whether we want to believe it
or not, there is an undercurrent of
intentional “sledging” or “banter”
– whatever word you like to label
it with – that is brewing within
youth and, dare I say it, is being
encouraged by some coaches
and parents. Condoning these
tactics fosters a belief that such
behaviour is not only acceptable,
but admirable. Ultimately, what
message is this sending to our
children?
Sport should be competitive
and there definitely should be a
winner and a loser, as that is a life
lesson for all. Our children will be
applying for jobs and positions that
they may or may not be successful
in. However, they need to learn
how to be gracious in both victory
and defeat.
My May challenge: keep your
sideline style. Put your autocorrect
on, if you have a tenacity to speak
before you think. Let’s go out to
win – of course – but let’s win
with style and grace!
cnr Montreal & St Asaph Streets, Christchurch.
Sales, Service & Parts: 03 379 0588
The new Mirage is ready to dazzle,
with 15” alloys and sophisticated
styling from bumper to bumper.
4.9L/100km fuel efficiency, a 5 star
safety rating and a 10 year warranty
make it a must-see, too. Visit
ChristchurchMitsubishi.co.nz or call
03 379 0588 for a test drive.
Price applies to Mirage XLS and excludes On Road Costs of $750 which includes Registration, WoF and a full tank of fuel. See www.mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage terms and conditions.