Note:
If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)
By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)
Values in Sports
I read this piece of article and
was impressed with it. I believe that values are developed by sports. Values
are important to be taught when a child is young. They should be taught to be
humble and not to be proud. When they do something wrong, it is good to own up
and correct oneself. If one's team-mate is making a mistake, it is good to
point the mistake of the wrongdoer. I believe that that is true friendship. In
this way, one develops one's leadership and intergrity; by doing this action
courage is developed. Many do not like to correct a friend's mistake. If
you are a good friend, you would think about the wrongdoer's benefit of knowing
the mistake and correcting oneself.
Life is about perseverance as life
is a marathon journey of ups and downs. Whether we win or lose, it is important
not lose our values. If we intend to lose values, it is deemed that we have
lost ourselves.
Hence, I am posting this very good
article which was posted by Moonlake in face book. She told me that the topic
was from the Focus on the Family group. I hope you enjoy.
From - Focus on the Family
Being involved in sports - whether
seriously or for fun - gives our children opportunities for growth. Here are 6
values to inculcate in our children as they participate:
#1: Teachability
No matter how much an athlete
accomplishes, he always has room to grow. To excel, he must be eager to learn
and willing to accept instruction.
The bigger issue here is humility
and respect for authority. The coach might make decisions your child doesn't
agree with; the referee or umpire might make a bad call. Still, your child
needs to learn to deal with his frustration in a positive way.
Tip: When things don't go well for
your child, be willing to speak the truth. That might mean saying, 'Your coach
is testing your character and your loyalty.' Or you might say, 'You can't
control what the coach decides, but you can control how hard you work to get
better.'
#2: Integrity
Martin Luther King Jr. used to talk
about an "11th commandment" that prevails in America: "Thou
shalt not get caught." Many people still live by that tenet. But we must
call our children to honesty and integrity, and sports provide opportunities to
do that.
Modeling is the key to teaching
your kids integrity. No matter what you say, your kids will remember your
actions more than your words. Your integrity is reflected in the way you cheer
at your child's game and the way you talk about the game afterward. Would you
give back a victory in order to do the right thing? What is your attitude about
stretching the rules in order to win?
Tip: The best way is to lead by
example. So for example, if you are playing football with your son, and the
referee awards you with a penalty kick because the opponent fouled you - and
you know that he didn't, you just fell - be honest about it. This provides you
with an opportunity to show that you value integrity more than winning.
#3: Perseverance
In the heat of competition, your
child will face defeat and failure. In football, your son may let an opponent
race past him for the game-winning goal, while your daughter may lose out in
first place in her school's swimming competition by 0.5 seconds. It's important
to teach your child how to deal with failure in a positive way. That lesson,
learned under pressure, will help prepare him to succeed — in sports and many
other areas of life.
Tip: Be honest with your children,
and avoid sugar-coating things. Help them by reviewing what led to the mistake,
encourage them to deal with the disappointment, and then to look forward by
seeing what they can do better in future.
#4: Positive attitude
Gifted athletes don't necessarily
make the best players. Often, a coach will keep them on the sideline because of
their bad attitude. The coach knows this player can bring down the whole team.
Likewise, the best teams are not always made up of the greatest athletes, but
when they accept their role on the team and have a positive attitude about it,
they can win. These players focus on the team and the greater good, not their
own concerns.
As adults, we know that attitude
determines how far we go in life - so it's important for us to inculcate a
positive attitude in our children.
Tip: Your support and encouragement
will help your child to maintain a positive attitude. Praise your child for her
positive attitude above her good performance. When things are a bit rocky,
challenge her with the notion that one optimistic person can set the tone for
the whole team.
#5: Respect
As you know, there's a lot of
posturing and "trash-talking" in sports today — even in kids' games.
In the heat of competition, your child may be tempted to put another player
down or pump himself up. He's trying to feel important. But it's vital that we
teach our kids to show good sportsmanship even during on-the-field battles.
They need to learn to redefine what
"winning" means. If they win a game but disrespect or humiliate other
players, it's not winning.
Tip: In football, teams usually
shake hands before or after the game. This is a good practice you can consider
getting your child to adopt. Also, take note of the sports figures they admire;
when they model respect, casually point it out and suggest that it's a good
example to follow.
#6: Self-esteem
Sports will bring out the unique
characteristics of your children. It will help them discover their talents,
gifts and abilities. Maybe your son can't jump high enough to touch the net —
but he might be a good shooter from the outside. Maybe it's clear your daughter
will never be the star of the team — but perhaps her teammates all look to her
for encouragement. Whatever the case, your children will learn a lot about
their strengths and weaknesses.
Tip: The performance-oriented
nature of sports will give you many chances to cheer your children on and
affirm them. Regardless of this, let them know you love them simply for who
they are. Beyond their sporting performances lies an individual with character
and heart, and that's something to be praised.
By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’ by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
