Be a sport!

What can we learn from sport?

Is there any purpose to sport? Some would say YES! Some may shrug in disinterest while others will roll their eyes and go back to gardening!

New Zealand is a passionate sporting country. We are proud Kiwis, known throughout the world for our success in many different formats.

So, what does sport teach us?  Discipline, commitment, how to deal with failure AND success, humility, patience, the 'get up and try again' attitude, friendship with competitors, hard work and grace. (Sounds like a lesson in practical Christianity!)

Here's a few events currently happening in the world :

Cricket: White Ferns - though I've never had a chance to play, I'm passionate about cricket. I'm so proud of the successes of our women but sad of their recent failure at the 20/20 World Cup. No amount of me yelling at my IPAD helped.  Black Caps - what a incredible turn around last week in the Test series against England. A test has three 5 day matches. After the 2nd test NZ and England were drawn. Then, despite injuries to some of our main players, their replacements stood tall and fought through for victory, despite the booing from the English stands. It showed, grit, patience and determination.  

The World Cup: - currently in action in America, Canada, and Mexico. However, this caused problems for Iran, who had to travel from Mexico to the US for their first game, and then back on the same day. I have not yet been fully briefed from the US powers-to-be on the whys and wherefores of this call, but feel it was a slap in the face to the whole ethos of sport. 

Rugby: - is the game NZ is most known for around the world. Their legacy goes back to 1905 when they sailed to England to play against Devon. They were known as the All Backs as every team member could play in this position.  However, an English reporter made a typo in his newspaper report, and The All Blacks came into being. 

Sailing: - in the last 15 - 20 years NZ has made a considerable impact on the waters of many harbours around the world. The ongoing innovation of the boats and the canny sailing of the crew has proven very difficult to beat.

Golf: - is the poison which has affected me. It's the hardest game I've every played due to having to hit a very small ball which is not in motion, with a very long stick. It seems to me that every other game includes a ball moving at the opposition. Not so in golf. The little 'germ' just sits and mocks the player! The game breaks both the heart and the bank balance. The good thing is it's available for all ages and abilities. Also it's a single player game - you're on your own! Lydia Ko started to play with the Weekend Ladies when she was 8.  As an 18 handicapper she blew us all away.     

Olympics/Commonwealth Games: - NZ has a long history of punching above it's weight in this arena. On the water, on the track, on a bike, swimming, field sports, jumping high, throwing long, shooting at stuff and winning medals.

So, the purpose of sport? Fitness, friendship, faithfulness in finding lost balls, fresh air and fun!