The warmer evenings this week have resulted in me being awake later than normal, and watching a few more games of the men’s football world cup. What has struck me most, since the tournament started, is the shared passion and joy that football can bring. Across different countries and cultures, the tournament has already created moments of shared excitement, friendship and camaraderie. We have seen fans celebrating together, consoling one another and showing that sport, at times, can reflect the very best of the human spirit.
Research from Sport England shows that positive experiences of sport help children feel more confident and more likely to stay active in the future, while the World Health Organization highlights the importance of physical activity for children’s growth, development and wellbeing. Sport is not simply about competition, but rather the building of character, friendships and helping young people understand what it means to be part of a team.
As we watch the World Cup unfold, I hope our pupils see more than goals and results and that they recognise the importance of the ASPIRE values, and how they are being enacted in all that the teams, and supporting fans, are daring to achieve.
