Something a little different here, Fylde's flying wingman and fellow Cumbrian Henry Hadfield got in touch with me about him wanting to share his story as to why sport can be so important, and he's written the following...
I am sure that the importance of a sporting and social environment is applicable to many sports, and whilst having sampled a wide range of different sports through my life, I have always been consistently involved in rugby and rugby clubs from the age of 7.
I’m writing this letter to share these theories of mine as I believe they may resonate with young people who maybe already play a sport, or are perhaps needing some direction or feeling of belonging, or perhaps even the parents of young people.
From an early age it is important to have children in social environments for their development, which is why there is a broad range of play groups, nurseries and everything in between.
The vast majority of parents will testify the positive impact these have, and yet once people reach an age when they can make decisions for themselves, so many choose to not be involved in any kind of community or club. As human beings this social environment feeds us emotionally and physically, and I can’t help that think with life being online and in and out of lockdown we are losing our touch with this.
Rugby remains a place where all of those good things that we need as humans still exists. It has the comradery and community spirit, as well as the competitive environment young men thrive in.
If you were to go back in time boys would be out hunting, battling with one another, using the high levels of testosterone we experience in our development, our physiology hasn’t changed all that much since then and yet our lives, how we live, has drastically.
We are still human and have human needs. It is perfectly normal for a young man to feel like he has some aggression to use so what better way than to use it positively along side your friends in a healthy environment being involved in a team.
Rugby or sport can also give such a strong platform in developing character, for example, Rugby has core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship. Values that everyone can agree are important to be mirrored in life as well as rugby.
Life can be challenging and it has its ups and downs, as does rugby. The lessons learned on the field can be used to help off field challenges, for example, you may not think you played well and your team lost, so your team mates put an arm round you, dust you off, and you go again next week. Showing the importance of being there for one another and treating people as you wish to be treated. At any level of rugby though from minis to international there is a non-negotiable expectation of respect to each other, and this is something that is applicable to life not just rugby.
The opportunities rugby graces you with are also second to none. I am yet to have a job offer or interview where rugby wasn’t part of the discussion. There is an old saying “it’s not about what you know its about who you know” and it’s true, if you carry yourself correctly in any set up people will recognise it. You get out what you put in with rugby, and from grass roots to full-time, wanting to be the best you can be is to be encouraged in young men. More often than not we are told to take the safe and easy option in life, but why should you not have a crack at being the best version of yourself?
There has also been a massive positive shift in mental health awareness and men’s ability to reach out for support. Personally I have always felt that a problem shared is a problem halved, and that’s why team mates and coaches and background staff are people I will always hope to have in my life. From a bad day at work, to relationship troubles, going to rugby and being able to take your mind off it on the field or confine in your support group makes mental well-being a lot more manageable.
It's in our nature to want everyone to be happy and thrive, which is what I hope this short letter can do for some or at least give them the nudge to stay involved or get involved in something. From rugby to CrossFit to Jujitsu there is so much out there, probably on your doorstep. Life is short, and I think it would be a shame for any person to go through it without having some kind of involvement with sport or community, or worse than that getting associated with the wrong crowd doing the wrong things. If after reading this you decide to become part of something, all the mental, physical and emotional benefits are for you, enjoy them, and thank you for taking the time to read this.
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