There’s no doubting it’s a case of perfect timing for our Aussie athletes as they revel in the glories of this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
(Pic credit - news.com.au)
After what many considered a lack-lustre showing a couple of years ago at the London Olympics, our nation’s best are receiving a greatly needed boost of confidence. Sure, there are the detractors that suggest the Games has lost it’s shine and probably isn’t the best gauge of an athlete’s ability, but let’s remember the very few competitive hit-outs many of these individuals get to participate in during their professional careers. To that end I feel the Commonwealth Games provides the ideal context for our up-and-comers to gain valuable experience against some of the best in the world .. and to some extent it also allows some of our legends to bow out on an appropriate global stage befitting their status.
For the younger brigade, being exposed to the media hype, village lifestyle vibe of international competition and an integral part of a national representative team, can only be advantageous in preparation for the Olympics. If we use such competition as an invaluable preparation phase; always looking at the bigger picture of Olympic success; then at every level this has to enhance our chances towards Rio in 2016. What we can't do is allow our athletes to get caught up in the hype of current day successes and fall into the trap of resting on our laurels. It has been easy for some critics to pick holes in the status of the Commonwealth Games, but looked upon in a positive vein this current Scottish outing has already, and will continue to unearth another crop of young Aussie heroes for us to cheer on well into the future. And let’s not forget Australia’s chance to showcase the wonders of the Gold Coast during the 2018 Games. Apart from the competition, there’s the creation of major sports and events infrastructure already taking place in the Queensland city that will become a major legacy well after the medals have been decided.
Talking about youngsters, the more junior sport you watch, the more amazed you become at some parents behaviour. Talk about living their sporting dreams through their children! Watching parents blow up at referees, other kids and among themselves is more common now than crossing the road. It’s a real blight on all junior sports across Australia. But is it just sport, or another of society's problems that sport ends up being the flagbearer for? To answer that question you only have to tune into dance mums to realise it’s a wider issue. The one general over-riding theme, as I had already mentioned is parents wanting to live their unfulfilled dreams through their kids. C'mon let's pull our heads in and treat it for what it is. Whatever weekend or weekday activity the young ones are involved in, the benefits should remain the same for all; social interaction and stimulation, providing our kids with valuable life skills. For some the thrill of winning, for others the lessons of hard work and where it can potentially take you, and finally the fact that life isn't all roses and that you need to be durable, be able to rebound from disappointment, and understanding that not every kid wins a prize. Those life skills mould you for what lies ahead, they’re valuable lessons that each and everyone of us takes with us on our own journey.
Finally, I must finish on a note that annoys the hell out of me. Rugby league has been a game I’ve been involved in since I was 5. The only common denominator in my adult life is the sport I love. Some of the things I have witnessed this year have really disappointed me to say the least. The individual agendas and people putting themselves as spokesmen for the game, without ever being appointed, have resulted in ridiculous scrutiny about parts and rules of the game that most would not even blink an eye at. I think everyone must remember, the game is bigger than any one person.
Cheers until next week,
Andrew