Okay, confession time here. I don’t like Sports Day.
I hated it growing up as a child and being forced to humiliate myself in front of the whole school and their parents, and I don’t even like going to my own children’s. There, I’ve said it!
Sport really wasn’t my thing as a child. And neither was hopping around in an itchy sack and ending up face flat on the ground. Or tying my leg to somebody elses while they dragged me over the finish line. I came last in every single race. And when I was growing up, you just didn’t get a choice. You had to take part. Yes, it was only one day of the whole school year but man I hated it.
So many schools nowadays have adopted a ‘non-competitive’ Sports Day and as much as I hated it myself, don’t we need to teach of children about competition? A whole day of non-competitive activities just seems, well, a little pointless doesn’t it? Growing up, I knew that sport just wasn’t my thing. I wasn’t at all competitive. But do we need to teach our children that sometimes, there has to be winners and losers in life? And isn’t it a good thing for the sporty kids to get their day to shine?
Our primary school seems to be the master of compromise and in all honesty, I think they have got it spot on. They hold a whole day of sports but it is split into non-competitive activities in the morning and then formal competitive races in the afternoon that the child can choose to take part in. Nobody has to take part in the competitive races. So everyone’s a winner, right? It certainly suits my 11-year-old who, so much like me, really isn’t a hugely sporty type. She happily sits on the side lines while lots of her school chums race away the afternoon. I am so pleased that she doesn’t have to endure the Sports Days of my youth. But are we right to teach our children that we can pick and chose our way through life?
I don’t particularly enjoy watching hour after hour of other people’s children racing in all honesty. But I don’t want to watch my daughter being forced to race either. Not for a minute. Surely Sports Day is just one way that we can teach our children about competition? Or is that the humiliated child from within speaking? Maybe.. It’s no secret that I can be a bit of a cotton wool parent but is it so wrong that I want to spare her the awful Sports Days of my past? On the other hand, when my son was still at the school, he would be up doing every race he could – being the complete opposite of his sister. So the school’s compromise keeps everyone happy I guess.
What do you think? Should Sports Day be just competitive races? Should all children have to take part? What do your school do? As ever, would really love to hear all of your comments on this one : )
Photo credit: Flickr – Sports Day by Reway2007 and Sack Race by Mr Coffee
I have yet to encounter a sports day, last year it was too hot and this year it was rained off!
Really? Good old British weather eh?! ; )
I’m torn on this one.
My abiding memory of school sports days is the one year where every single child got a ribbon for coming 1, 2, or 3 in a race…except me!
I remember the utter mortification and it certainly impressed upon me that I was no good at sport.
I didn’t really do anything until my late 20s after that – when I found that although not fast, I could run a reasonably long way, climb mountains etc. No one was more surprised than me.
So I do understand the need to spare non-sporty children the humiliation, but at the same time, as you say, they also need to learn life skills.
I think that teachers / parents should keep an eye on children who don’t enjoy sports day and then explore other kinds of sports or activities with them. They must not come away with the message that they are no good. If we can convince them what matters is the taking part, then that would be a pretty good compromise.
I totally agree – it *is* the taking part that counts.
I hated sports, but I loved sports day! We got to spend the whole day not doing proper school work, we could have our lunch outside and got squash instead of metallic tasting water. Also, as you say, it’s one day when those who are sporty and not academic can get their chance to shine and win a prize.
And ironically, now I go running voluntarily at lest four times a week!
Ah yes, a long lazy day in the sun, it’s just a shame that races had to interupt daisy chain making
I was quite sporty at school, so I always enjoyed them, however I do remember that it was quite miserable for some of my classmates.
It sounds like the compromise is pretty good at your child’s school – although like you, I’d be a little worried about the opt out – it might raise problems of its own.
Are you spared the parents race? That’s almost always the most competitive of the lot in my experience!
No, unfortunately there is still a parents race!! And you are quite right, that is definitely the most competitive race of the day! My ploy is to dress completely inapropriately with ridiculous shoes on so I can’t possibly take part ; )
I hated sports day at school. Especially secondary school when it stopped being egg and spoon race and became proper sports.
However, as much as I would hate my daughter to be having a miserable time at sports day I kind of don’t see the point of just having an afternoon or just running around a bit. Winning and losing is a part of life and children do need to learn about that.
I do think your school has got it right though. Everyone should be happy with that arrangement.
Yes, I think the arrangement at our school is a winner all round.
And as much as I hated sports day myself, I have to agree that having a completely non-competitive sports day would seem pointless.
Thanks for the article, very entertaining! Although I was the opposite – Sports day was the only day I was on time to school and tried hard all day.
I totally get that – it’s nice for the sporty kids to get a chance to have their day to shine : )
I hated sports, PE anything that I might be centre of attention in, whether it good or bad. In fact I still hate sports and being centre of attention. I think if they enjoy it, then it’s a good thing but they shouldn’t force kids who don’t want to. But then I’m not the best person to give an un-bias opinion as I didn’t have the best time at school. Great post twinny and you know I’m coming to you for all my advice when my two tiddlers are at school. xx
I’m with you because I hated it so much – I can’t help thinking that I might be a bit biased on this one too! x
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