A Mayo's View: Value of sport in our lives

by Barbara Daly

My seven year old avidly watched the recent Olympics – it didn’t matter the sport, he was fascinated by it all.

So many sports he had never heard of and countries too. It was a super Olympics for the spectator and especially with Ireland’s medal tally.

The same seven year old is obsessed with kicking a ball. Like his father he follows Arsenal and knows most of the players’ names and positions.

He also reports to me when they change their ridiculous hairstyles, such is the celebrity status of these overpaid sportspeople.

I am not entirely comfortable with all of this, especially as when asked what he wants to be when he grows up he immediately says a soccer player.

I suppose I don’t want him to think this is a realistic option!

Like many other little boys before him he will grow out of it and learn to enjoy sport for what it should be.

That was part of the joy of the Olympics – it created celebrities but for all the right reasons.

Athletes became famous for their efforts, their talent, their sportsmanship and their emotion. It was all on display.

Callum is playing GAA under 8s and, as I have written before, I am so impressed with the coaches – not alone for the football skills these volunteers are instilling but for the fairness, discipline and kindness they show each child.

They promote inclusivity and want each child to enjoy the sport whether they are good at it or not.

Callum is showing signs of being a good player. He has what they call ‘the hunger’ for it.

He gets quite intense during a match and has on a number of occasions stormed off in tears if a decision goes against him or a player on the other team gives him a shove.

He is hot-headed and emotional and to be honest it worried and embarrassed me. I was going to stop him from playing matches until he learned to tone down his reactions and control his temper on the field.

However thankfully Gary (who played underage soccer to a high level) calmed me down, reminding me that sport would be the answer to this.

Sport would teach him to control his temper, to regulate his emotions and so many other really important lessons. He reminded me that this is all new to Callum and he does not yet know how to deal with these match-day situations. He will learn and it will add so much to him as a developing child.

I am no longer embarrassed, nor do I get cross with him. I am firm and remind him he is part of a team and needs to return to the field and that it will be ok.

I am wary of his intensity, his competitive streak and his never-ending need to be the best. I don’t want him disappointed or disillusioned but I know that the sports field might be the best place for him to learn how to handle all of this and more.

The Premier League started again last Friday and part of me dreaded its return, for the obsessiveness of father and son as they follow Arsenal for another season.

The Olympics showcased such a positive sporting experience and values but the glamour of Premier League football will always win out.

Sport – the good, the bad and the ridiculous - will undoubtedly always be a part of my son’s life.