Acts of Sporting Kindness: a national context that inspires

The fiercely competitive world of elite sport may at first seem an unlikely focus for reflection on inspirational acts of friendship and kindness. Ruthlessly results driven, these environments are surely defined more by confrontation than camaraderie?

But think again. Inspired by the ‘One Kind Word’ theme of annual Anti-Bullying Week programme in schools last November, Sporting Heritage, a not-for profit community interest company, has developed a set of education resources which use ‘acts of sporting kindness’ from the past to encourage pupils to reflect on how they can take inspiration and apply learning from them to the present.

A series of historical examples are used to illustrate how, even the heat of competition, sport has always also offered the opportunity to develop friendships and for individuals to show values-inspired acts of respect and generosity of spirit. Pupils are then invited to think about what values and behaviours they feel are being shown in the example, what inspired them and what can be learned and applied to their lives today.

Further activities go on to invite pupils to create a celebratory ‘Museum of Sporting Kindness’ display in their classroom, or record their own experiences of acts of sporting kindness; those shown towards them, and those that they have shown towards others in their schools or clubs.

One of the inspirational examples chosen as a focus for the materials is that of Swansea Harrier’s Matthew Rees from the 2017 London Marathon. The defining image of the race, it explores Matthew’s actions in stopping 300 metres short of the finish line to help David Wyeth, a complete stranger on the verge of collapse, finish the race. As Matthew said afterwards:

"I was just about to sprint to the finish when I saw David. His legs were completely jelly-like and he collapsed in front of me. So I decided to forget my race. He had come so far and after 26 miles of running I wanted to help him to make the finish."

This Welsh-inspired act of kindness from the relatively recent sporting past of course also offers a segue to one from it’s present. As the 2023 Six Nations reaches its climax, Josh Adams’ actions after the final whistle of the final game of last year’s Championship against Italy surely now also qualifies to join those previously identified in the Sporting Heritage collection?

In a truly special moment of sportsmanship, who can forget how, after the game Josh gave his Player of the Match Award to Ange Capuozzo, who was making his debut for his country, following the young Italian’s sensational last-minute line break to set up the try that secured the Azzurri’s first ever victory at the Principality?

A personal act of selfless generosity in such a moment of collective sporting disappointment that can inspire us all, and offer a bigger picture.

To find out more about Sporting Heritage and how these ‘Acts of Sporting Kindness’ can inspire us all, go to education section of their website: www. sportingheritage.org.uk

Derek Peaple is Sporting Heritage’s Education Lead and a former Secondary School Headteacher.