Healthy Harold looks to sport for lessons in respect and resilience

Hi everyone, Harold here!

Did you or anyone you know watch the World Cup or Commonwealth Games recently? I saw this nailbiter of a football game (which some people call soccer).

The game was between Brazil and Japan. I was on the edge of my seat when Brazil kicked the winning goal. But it was what happened after the game that surprised everyone.

After such an important match for both teams, we witnessed an unexpected, heartfelt moment. We saw a Brazilian player comforting a Japanese player, instead of celebrating with his teammates. It’s an incredible example of sportsmanship and how activities, like sport, can bring people together.

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I found it amazing to see how different teams and people from all over the world came together for the World Cup then the Commonwealth Games – people who have never met before, coming together for the love of sport. But it’s more than this, it’s about how people treat each other. It’s important for people to respect others in many situations and sports is one of them.

Just like the World Cup, the Commonwealth Games is not just about winning medals. It’s also about showing respect, celebrating effort and demonstrating resilience when things don’t go to plan. Whether athletes win, lose or achieve a personal best, they can inspire us by the way they support teammates, respect opponents and keep trying their best.

Respect means caring about how your words and actions may impact others. Showing respect means thinking about how what you say and do can affect the people, places and things around you. It also means valuing others for the way they act.

It’s important to respect everyone, even if they are on another team or they don’t agree with you. Respect goes both ways, which means we should treat others with the same kindness and fairness that we hope to receive. In sports, this means listening to teammates, accepting referees’ decisions, and showing kindness to opponents no matter the result.

Resilience is also another important concept in the world of sport. Resilience is the ability to overcome and bounce back from disappointment, stress and challenges. Something to remember is to try not to let your losses or mistakes hold you back. Instead, reflect and acknowledge and think about what you would do differently next time.

Playing sports also teaches you to learn how to work together with others who come from many different backgrounds, putting aside differences to reach one shared goal. For example, when you play in a team, you might not always agree with everyone or get the result you hoped, but by listening to others, encouraging your teammates and trying again after a mistake, you can show both respect and resilience.

Respect and resilience don’t just apply in sports; they can also apply to hobbies, school and everyday life. You might need resilience when you are learning something new, like playing an instrument, drawing, dancing or trying a tricky maths problem. You might not get it right the first time, and that’s okay. What matters is that you keep practising, ask for help when you need it, and believing that you can improve. Respect is important too, because it reminds us to listen to others, include people, take turns and speak kindly. So, whether you are playing a sport, watching from the sidelines or cheering for your favourite team, remember that resilience and respect go hand-in-hand. Respect helps us treat others fairly, while resilience helps us keep going when things don’t go our way. When we show both, we become a better teammate, competitor and a person we can be proud of.

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