20/09/2026
WHY ARE SO MANY "COMMUNITY" TEAMS LACKING COMMUNITY?
I love elite sports & the achievement that goes along with it.
For decades, I've always been fascinated at the way that individuals are able to push the human body to do things that most of us can not dream of. The will, determination & single minded focus of those at the highest level of sports performance is almost impossible for us to comprehend.
They sacrifice a lot to become who they are. However, the more that we learn about many of these physical marvels, the less I have become obsessed with 'performance' & the more I have had to ask myself the question, 'BUT AT WHAT COST?"
So many of our greatest athletes are, also, so incredibly flawed as human beings. We've witnessed that a single minded focus on any one task or achievement can lead to underdevelopment in so many other areas.
For the past 11 years, I've been privileged to coach at the Piara Waters Junior Football Club. The longer that I've been involved in junior sport, the more I've had to ask this question.
'What is lost when community sport only understands the pursuit of elite?'
The answer, quite often, is COMMUNITY (which, last I checked is at least half of the phrase 'community sport').
Yes, as coaches, we have the responsibility to teach the skills of the game. We're also charged with trying to push them to be their best, allowing them to see what they are capable of achieving when they understand the importance of resilience, determination & hard work.
But we must never forget that we enter the lives of these young people at an important stage & the influence that we have should be measured by more than wins, premierships or kids picked for development squads. What about values that extend beyond 'performance?'
Respect. Support. Togetherness.
I am incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a parent group who understand the importance of contributing to community. While my shirt reads 'COACH', I am not pulling the cart singlehandedly.
Together, we are modelling to our kids that, in a time where individualism has taken centre stage, there is incredible satisfaction in contributing to a greater good that you simply could not do alone.
Yesterday, we finished our season in the best possible way; our annual 'Parents v Kids' Game. A chance to celebrate a season where we may have gone 7-10 on the field but continued to be undefeated in our ability to foster an environment of love, support & community around OUR 24 boys.
That's pretty elite š§”š©¶