Medbury School
Play the Game
Playing for the name on the front of the jersey Richard Bath Head of Basketball and Polo
How do we show pride in sports? Pride. Pride in sports. How do
are many people who have
Having a healthy sense of pride
we show pride in sports without
donned that jersey before you.
in yourself can and does help to
coming across as selfish or self-
They paved the path for legacy
contribute to the team’s success.
centred?
to take place. They dedicated
However, the biggest role a player
themselves to their team. To their
can play is to put the needs of
jersey. To the front of their jersey.
the team first, rather than his own
Canadian hockey coach Sherwood (Sherry) Bassin in 1993
needs.
said, “If you play for the name
What does the back of the jersey
on the front of the jersey, then
have on it? Sure, it has a number.
Stand tall. Be proud of the player
everybody will remember the
It still has the team colours. It may
you are. The person you are.
name on the back.”
even still have the team logo.
Remember, you are part of the
The number one thing that most
team. The team needs you. Play
jerseys have on the back is:
for your team. Play for the front of
YOUR NAME HERE.
your jersey.
As coaches, our biggest challenge is to get the players to play for the front of their jersey, rather than the back. What is on
It isn’t wrong to have pride in
the front of the jersey? The front,
yourself. It isn’t wrong to back
of course, has the team name,
yourself. It isn’t wrong to believe in
the colours, the emblem or team
yourself.
mascot name. These are more
Imagine a team full of people who
than likely the first things you see when you look at a jersey. There
40
only thought about the back of their jersey.
