Sport

SHE’S MY CHAMPION

“SHE’S A STAR IN MY EYES” - Yene Damtew

When we see the word “champion” in the sports section of a magazine, it would be natural to assume we are referring to someone who has either shown marked superiority in a sporting context, or someone who came first or won a competition. In reality the word “champion” can mean so much more. To me “champions” are people who make a difference, those who have an impact on our lives. But it’s not always because of their own tangible achievements. When we look at the people in our lives who we have admired or who we “champion”, what is it about them that leads to our feelings of adoration and respect? Unpacked, it can be many things: pride in their achievements, respect for their actions and decisions, or trust in their advice. Ultimately, how we relate to someone and their actions, and how this makes us feel about ourselves, determines who is a champion in our eyes. Winning can label someone as a champion, and it’s important to acknowledge and celebrate the work, effort and ultimate accomplishment of finishing first. But being a champion covers a broader spectrum of personal attributes. In the Sport Office we spoke about what a champion looks like to us and who, in our lives, we consider as our champions. One shared the following: "My Mum was a caring, selfless lady who always put the needs of others before herself. Even though I was surrounded by many champions during my time as an international athlete, I would without hesitation say... ‘my mum’”! Another named Sarah Ulmer, the former New Zealand, Olympic and World Champion cyclist, as someone she thought of as a champion. Not being able to articulate exactly why, I contacted our friend Google for inspiration and shared with my colleague the following article statement which, for her, explained her choice: “Sarah’s talent and grace were one thing. But in addition to this she reflects back a bit of ourselves. She is quintessentially a New Zealander. She represents what is best about our country, not just in a sporting sense but in forging an identity. Her refusal to make excuses matched with her refusal to give in easily followed by her refusal to revel in victory made her easily identifiable as a Kiwi. She is also personable and ‘real’.

It's this as much as her success in Athens (2004 Olympics) that will ensure her legacy as one of New Zealand's sporting greats.” A champion sportswoman, and many people’s champion! A third member, who is also a former national sportswoman, spoke of Kate Sheppard – the leader in the NZ women’s suffrage movement and the driving force behind NZ women being the first to be granted voting rights in 1893. She’ll never forget the pride she felt when travelling the world in the 1990’s, having someone say to her how awesome New Zealand was for giving women the vote. How progressive and open-minded we were. At that time she didn’t know too much about our history but felt instant pride in being a ‘Kiwi’ and being a woman. She thought “go you, Kate Sheppard!. Thanks for doing this for us!” So three people, with three very different champions. But all powerful in their own very unique way. This subset, while small, highlights how our champions do not fall into any one box! St Margaret’s has a proud tradition of producing champions. Leaders in sport, on the stage, in the arts, in science, and in

the law. All guided and influenced by people who have been to them, their champions. We can never underestimate the power of our senior students connecting with a junior at a school event, a teacher’s influence over a student’s learning or the impact a coach may have for feeding an athlete’s passion. Our champions wear many faces, and can be few or many depending on life’s stage or direction.

Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be. – Rita Pierson

As you move through life remember: If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are a champion. And from a sporting perspective: “A champion is someone who gets up when they can’t” – Jack Dempsey Helen Belcher – Director of Sport