Strong Sportswomen United

STRONG SPORTS WOMEN UNITED

STRONG SPORTS UNITED

“SPORT DEVELOPS RESILIENCE IN REACTING TO UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCE, ADAPTABILITY TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN FRONT OF YOU” – MATTHEW MULRONEY, HEAD OF SPORT

MR MATTHEW MULRONEY

HEAD OF SPORT COVID-19 has created a new reality for sport. This year, we’ve seen fixtures postponed, seasons cancelled, representative pathways shut down and sport put on pause. Our students have had to swap training together for training solo or at a social distance; locations, plans and equipment have been modified from what’s best, to what’s available.

As is often the case, sport imitates life as life imitates sport. The skills and attributes that are so valued by athletes, like those mentioned by Bethany Hamilton, are proving extremely useful for navigating the challenges associated with COVID-19. Sport develops resilience in reacting to unexpected circumstance, adaptability to make the most of the circumstances in front of you, discipline in sticking to the game plan and not cutting corners, teamwork, and endurance to push through until the final whistle.

Part of being a good coach or athlete is planning. This means putting together plans for the season, the week, the session, the game, the half and the final play to give you the best chance to succeed. The top coaches, teams and players can also pivot their planning down to the new best course of action when reacting to the unexpected. This was the mantra of Tony DiCicco, who led the US Women’s National football team to glory at the 1999 FIFA World Cup. He wanted his team to focus on the aspects of their game that were within their control, such as how hard they trained, how well they planned and what they did to prepare. He didn’t want his team to waste energy on factors out of their control, like the referee, the weather or the opposition. This mentality can so succinctly be applied to sport played under the shadow of COVID-19. This year, restrictions forced us to consider the factors within our control and then innovate. The LN Sport Department was able to create programs to help students stay active while learning remotely, including fitness sessions, at-home challenges and sport-specific modules. We were able to engage with our Sporting Associations and ensure that inter-school sport could resume with modifications in a safe environment. And we will continue to provide the opportunities in sport and physical activity that are so beneficial to the ongoing holistic enjoyment of our students. Controlling the controllables and drawing from the determination, commitment and toughness to which Bethany Hamilton refers has meant even COVID-19 could not dampen the fighting spirit that Loreto sports girls are made of.

“Control the controllables.”

“COURAGE, SACRIFICE, DETERMINATION, COMMITMENT, TOUGHNESS, HEART, TALENT, GUTS. THAT’S WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF, THE HECK WITH SUGAR AND SPICE.”

BETHANY HAMILTON

PROFESSIONAL SURFER

“COURAGE, SACRIFICE, DETERMINATION, TOUGHNESS, HEART, THAT’S WHAT LITTLE GIRLS ARE MADE OF, THE HECK WITH SUGAR AND SPICE.”