Life Lessons from Rugby

All sports have lessons that can be taken from the field and applied to real life. In this article, we're not talking about the standard generics of "teamwork", “sportsmanship”, “healthy body-healthy” and "playing hard." We're talking about the preparation for life that can only be found on the rugby pitch:

Life Lesson: Sometimes you’ve got to play through the Pain

Whining about small issues does not support our efforts to make our boys resilient, in addition, our boys need to focus on which small issues are worth the concern. On the rugby field, starting with our U/9’s and continued to the Open age groups, our boys have played the game with true grit, passion and tenacity there's no place for s “sweating the small stuff”. The boys played on through injuries, changing scores and fluctuating skill dominance. Yes they played to win but at all times played to uphold our St. Stithians Honour Code.

Life Lesson: Have Patience - The Opportunities Will Come

If you're on the pitch, then you want to be an active part of the game. But if you're playing wing it may be awhile before the ball gets out to you. But it will - you stay patient and keep your head in the game, and it'll get out to you, and when it does you'll have your time to shine.

Life Lesson: Sometimes the Best Things in Life are the Least Understood

Sure, not every spectator or parent understands all the rules of the game or may interpret the game as they see it unfold, but they all know that they're part of one of the best sports on Earth.

Life Lesson: Brace Yourself - Expect People to Take Cheap Shots

Certain tackles may be high, the odd player might take a cheap shot in the scrum… Brace yourself and be tough. Sometimes you are the hammer and sometimes you are the nail.

Life Lesson: Show Respect for Those in Authority

Before respect for authority completely vanishes in the world, the last place it will be found is on the rugby field. When the referee makes a decision we disagree with, we still call him "sir" and don't talk back. It doesn't mean we're submissive lackeys - it means that we have respect for others, their opinions, decisions and title. It refers to our boys being good sports.

Life Lesson: Success is Often Determined by Your Last Second Decisions

You've got the ball on a breakaway, with plenty of pitch left between you and the tri zone. You've got one teammate behind you, and plenty of defenders closing in. You're getting closer…do you pass it off, try to side step the opposing players and run it in yourself, or go for a kick? What you decide at that last second can mean the difference between scoring or turning the ball over.

Life Lesson: It's Not Enough to Just Reach Your Goal - You Have to Surpass It

Average players are content with just reaching the try zone and touching the ball down to collect their five. But the truly motivated go the extra mile to get the ball as close to the middle as possible, going beyond the initial goal for a better change at scoring more.

Life Lesson: The Real World Doesn't Include Padding

It's the one thing that pretty much everyone knows about rugby - that many of the players don't wear pads. We take the hits hard, without protection, and keep going forward.

Life Lesson: Satisfaction Comes From Making - and Taking - the Big Hits

Winning the game is great, but it's far more satisfying if you know you played to your best ability and within the manner of being a good sport Tacking the tackles and setbacks and staying in the game till the end matters.

Life Lesson: Success Comes From Playing With Passion

Our boys played each game with heart and passion their sport. The true success was observing boys from varied ages and mixed ability simply play the game for the LOVE of it. We have said to our boys that the true winner in life is the man who has the most fun while doing what he does.

The staff, coaches and students have been rewarded with a season full of fond memories. Thank you boys for your love of the game and our school.

Thank you parents for your positive involvement in our school and for the continuous support shown to each boy and each staff member.

                                                                                                                                                    #ProudlyOne&All