All Stars vs. 1st XI at St Paul’s College, Ponsonby

We know, and research confirms, that sport and physical activity is important for health: physical, emotional and subjective well-being.

It functions as a form of social good in our communities. There’s a whole discipline of sports science of course, but at grass roots level, right there on the grass fields behind the school, sport is not a science. It’s not only about training or commitment or competence or performance outcomes.

No, it’s all about social interaction, humour, friendships, family bonding, generational links, and wholesome ‘rivalry’- the community version of sporting competitiveness. When a team competes against another primarily for entertainment, it becomes a kind of collaborative rivalry that draws people together and it’s way more pleasurable for participants and spectators alike. When this happens, sport is inclusive and fun and no one cares a hoot about medals or a podium!

The wonderful All Stars Cricket Bash hosted by St Paul’s College last month was a fabulous celebration of just this kind of collaborative rivalry, a fun day out for the school boys, their extended families, past pupils, a whole bunch of ‘famous old boys’, and quite a few industry supporters. It was a T20 format with an all stars line-up captained by Dave Fane featuring James McConie, Oscar Kightley, Mils Muliaina, Stacey Jones, Mark Greatbach, Dipak Patel, Murphy Sua, and Nigel Vagana. Well done everyone!

The whole day was a lovely example of how Sport NZ’s Balance is Better philosophy can work in a school community. As the kaitiaki of a system for play, active recreation and sport, Sport NZ* wants schools and supporting organisations to foster best practice so that engagement in sport is kept safe, fair and inclusive for all. The St Paul’s College cricket event was a wonderful example of how a school initiative can be aligned with the Sport NZ recommendation to bring the fun focus back into sport for all young people.

Two keen cricketers on the home team were twin brothers Drew and Cruz Scott, a couple of really nice guys who I met first at a lunchtime practice. They’d like to see cricket become as big as rugby league at their school and that’s quite an ambitious goal given that St Paul’s College has a champion league reputation. But kids dream big - they always do given half a chance - and that’s the whole point of last month’s All Stars Cricket Bash, to make it possible for these boys to dream their big dreams and inspire their goals.

Lunchtimes and after school, you’ll find the Scott twins and their school mates down at the practice nets working on their batting and bowling techniques, while perfecting their hand-eye coordination. The Scott boys and their school mates dream of making cricket a career or maybe just enjoying the game. Either way, it helps to have the right gear and facilities at school. (ALEXA LAWRENCE)

It’s not too late to make your supporting move by offering financial support to the college’s sport programme. If you’d like to be a private or corporate sponsor making a real difference in the lives of these fine young men, contact Director of Sport, Dave McDermott on 021 951 524.

*Sport NZ’s purpose is to contribute to the wellbeing of everybody in Aotearoa New Zealand by leading an enriching and inspiring play, active recreation and sport system. The vision is Every Body Active. balanceisbetter.org.nz

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