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 we show pride in sports without coming across as selfish or selfcentred?

Canadian hockey coach Sherwood (Sherry) Bassin in 1993 said, “If you play for the name on the front of the jersey, then everybody will remember the name on the back.”

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 the front of the jersey? The front, of course, has the team name, the colours, the emblem or team mascot name. These are more than likely the first things you see when you look at a jersey. There are many people who have donned that jersey before you. They paved the path for legacy to take place. They dedicated themselves to their team. To their jersey. To the front of their jersey.

What does the back of the jersey have on it? Sure, it has a number. It still has the team colours. It may even still have the team logo. The number one thing that most jerseys have on the back is: YOUR NAME HERE.

It isn’t wrong to have pride in yourself. It isn’t wrong to back yourself. It isn’t wrong to believe in yourself. Imagine a team full of people who only thought about the back of their jersey. Having a healthy sense of pride in yourself can and does help to contribute to the team’s success. However, the biggest role a player can play is to put the needs of the team first, rather than his own needs.

Stand tall. Be proud of the player you are. The person you are. Remember, you are part of the team. The team needs you. Play for your team. Play for the front of your jersey.