Sportsmanship and Teamwork

My dad is a sports nut. He loves baseball. We watch games as a family and try to go to the Ball Park whenever we can. Dad plays softball. His team is pretty funny, a lot of older men diving for the big softball like baseball stars! Dad plays tennis, jogs and runs in races. He's a nut!

But because he loves sports, he has taught my siblings and me to love sports, too. From the time I can remember, we have played waffle ball in our backyard, gone for bike rides as a family and participated in organized sports teams.

This year, I am playing Middle School Tennis for the first time and it's fun learning a new sport. Each day after school, our team meets in Coach Towne's room, once we've talked about what's going to happen that day, someone gives a devotion.

The number one thing that has been talked about lately is sportsmanship. It is so easy to let your anger get to you and to freak out when you can't get your serve in. In Tennis, you have singles and doubles. In doubles, you may end up playing with someone who is either better than you, or maybe not as good. Just like in other sports - not everyone plays at the same level. If you're playing with someone at a different level, don't get mad when mistakes are made. Be an encourager - if you're good at that sport, share what you know. If you need to improve, ask a teammate to get in an extra practice with you.

We need to have good sportsmanship because it can affect your whole entire team, and it can also affect the people that you are playing. It's so easy to let things get in your way, but the bigger picture is that we are doing it for the glory of God, and if that's your motto, then you have got it right.

Another important aspect of being a part of a team is teamwork. When you play on a team, you have to learn to cooperate with others. You can't just do your own thing or try to control what other people are doing. You must learn to listen to what your teammate is saying so that you can work together to get to the ball, get an out, make a goal or steal the basketball.

Teamwork also teaches you about commitment. Your team is counting on you to show up for practice on time and to give your best effort all the time. When you cancel on a game at the last minute, the coach has to rethink his game plan and your teammates have to cover the area that you have been practicing to play.

I want to encourage you to join a team this school year. It may be sports, it may be a club at school, or maybe even volunteering for a community service project. The lessons you learn about sportsmanship and teamwork will stick with you for the rest of your life!

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