It’s never just a game.
At times, it may be easy to dismiss sports as “silly games,” or, depending on the brutality level, as barbaric and violent rituals. Sure, there can be some truth to the latter – one doesn’t have to look far to find examples of sports hits that went sour and resulted in major injuries, or examples of rioting and fighting by fans on opposing sides that tar the game.
But the flip side of it is athletes competing to the best of their ability and putting their minds, bodies and spirits on the line to compete with honour and dignity.
This week was a fine example of local high school athletes doing just that, as the St. Paul Lions took to the road to take on the St. Albert Skyhawks in their quest for a provincial title, and as senior high volleyball SPAA and zone championships took place in and around the local area.
The effort put in by all the teams was truly awe-inspiring for fans to see. In SPAA finals, both the St. Paul Regional Saints and the Mallaig Stingers dug in their heels and put their hearts and souls into fighting for every point until the very end. The same held true for teams competing in zones volleyball and for the Lions football team over the weekend.
Despite a lopsided score in the Lions’ Saturday match up against the St. Albert Skyhawks, the team fought on to give their fans in the stands an effort to cheer over and managed to score a touchdown in the dying minutes of the game.
At the end of the day, win or lose, every athlete had a reason to hold their heads up high, and did so in fine sportsmanlike-style, clapping and recognizing their opponents as well.
It’s a testament to the character that sports programs are capable of instilling in young people, possible only with the efforts of hard-working coaches and supportive parents. Hopefully, the tradition of good character, fight and determination in local sports has a long future ahead.
