SCHOOL’S OUT / INSIDER
SPORT for all The Director of Sport at Dauntsey’s says sport matters for everyone
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MARCUS OLSEN
t is sobering to read in newspaper reports that childhood obesity has become a global phenomenon affecting all socio-economic groups, irrespective of age, sex or ethnicity. Certainly, it would appear that time spent on screens in one form or another seems only set to grow, contributing further to a sedentary, indoors lifestyle. Added to that is the growing concern about the pressures of social media and its impact on young adults’ mental health. Meanwhile, we have witnessed the demise of competitive sport in many government schools thanks to the sale of facilities and a lack of dedicated resource. It is a depressing picture, and perplexing too, given young people’s passion for their national football or basketball team and their country’s medal count at the Olympics. Sport really matters. Not just for high
“I have yet to find a pupil who can’t find something that gives them a buzz.” performing athletes pursuing medals. Sport matters for everyone. As well as developing physical skills and fitness, participation in sport – be it individually or in a team - builds confidence, resilience and mental toughness. Sport in school gives pupils an opportunity to learn leadership, self-discipline and teamwork and develop a real sense of achievement. All of these are vital skills that are easily transferable into many other aspects of life beyond the classroom. But in order to engage people at all levels, sport needs to be fun, challenging and available to everyone - from elite athletes to enthusiastic all-rounders. At Dauntsey’s our pupils are extremely fortunate to have access to a wide range of facilities. As well as our major sports of rugby, hockey, football, basketball, athletics and tennis for the boys, cricket (for both girls and boys), and hockey, netball, athletics and tennis for the girls, we
ABOVE Rugby at Dauntsey's
run a thriving extra-curricular programme. This allows pupils to represent the school in sports such as swimming, rifle shooting, fencing and equestrian. We played almost 750 team matches last year, at all levels, across a range of sports. I have yet to find a pupil who can’t find something that gives them a buzz. One of our sixth formers said to me recently; “You learn a lot about yourself through team sports. It’s about working together towards a common goal, taking responsibility for the team as a whole instead of trying to be the star or blaming someone else when things go wrong. “Playing sport is such a physical boost, too. It makes you more energetic, stronger, clearer-headed. I really noticed when I was on study leave last year and not playing so much sport – I felt I couldn’t move as freely, didn’t have as much energy. Sport definitely gives you back more than you put in.” Another pupil in the Lower School said: “When I play in a team, I’m really in the moment and my mind is totally onto it. When I’m running, I’m on my own and I take my thoughts elsewhere. I’m in my own little bubble.
This is wonderful feedback to receive and it gives me hope that our young people can buck the trend and make exercise an everyday part of their lives beyond school. Sport can be demanding but exercise trains your brain as well as your body and the two things feed off each other. We are all living in an increasingly pressurised and connected world. It can be hard to switch off both physically and mentally. Sport and doing exercise can help us all manage the stress of daily life, it can burn off nerves and frustration and restore a sense of perspective and calm. Where better to start the habit of sport than at school?
MARCUS OLSEN Director of Sport Dauntsey's AUTUMN • WINTER 2018
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