Sportsmanship: don't let it die...

I read an article today about the most recent Nadal v. Smyczek Australian Open tennis match (pronounced smee-check if I know anything about European dictation, which I don't)...

In a best of 5-set match, the scores were quite close in Nadal's favour. During the world no. 1's ball toss, a spectator allegedly yelled very loudly, causing him to fault. His opponent, seeing the injustice in this, called for the point to be replayed rather than allow a fault be declared, resulting in quite a display of appreciation from Rafa, who referred to him as a "gentleman" for his show of sportsmanship. 

The Spaniard went on to win the match after such a crucial moment was dealt with such class. When questioned about why he did this, Smee-Check downplayed the action, even praising his opponent: "You know, I thought it was the right thing to do... I thought I had him for a minute... But he turned it up to another gear. That's why he's been one of the best for years and years."

Lovely. But why should this be inspiring? It's not often I feel struck to enough to blog about sport. In fact, despite my fanatical family's best efforts, I am not really a massive sport person, but I do think that acts of sportsmanship should be the usual. The real shame here is that this is even newsworthy. It should be considered noble (because it is), but it should also be normal. 

See, often despite my best efforts, I watch quite a bit of sport for somebody who couldn't care less about most games. 

I see children who idolise their favourite players. I am not naive to the point of saying "kids shouldn't be idolising players, they want to play, not be role models," because being in the public eye doing what you love comes with a particular responsibility. What's my issue with this? Watch a game of NRL and the game is rife with men whose weekend antics are nothing short of disgusting. Their actions on the field should often be anything but glorified. Watch the NBL and the commentators have more to say about the players' lack of fidelity to their wives and sneaky fouls than their skill on the court. 

Why should it be this way? Sport should be a community building activity. It should be fun, competitive (in a healthy way) and should inspire children and adults alike to push, train, practice and persevere at their chosen art. It's not impossible. 

I read an article years ago about the American baseball great and devout Catholic as well as JPII-junkie, Stan Musial. In fact, American Cardinal Dolan praised him quite rightly as "one of the best baseball players ever, an inspiration to generations, whose very name stands for integrity, professionalism, loyalty and championship." This was a man who had a stellar career, and yet when asked what his most memorable moment was, cited Wojtyla's election as pope - blitzing even his 3000-hit milestone. He was good friends with the late (great!) Holy Father, and spent his retirement frequenting Rome. 

Cardinal Dolan even said that meeting Musial at 10 years old was one of his best childhood memories - he remembered the love and attention he was shown and how good it felt to have his idol treat him as a friend. 

Imagine sport was full of characters like this! Imagine when we watched our favourite game, we watched a display of teamwork, physical fitness, sportsmanship, talent and class. How different our newspaper headlines would look! 

Phillip Rivers is a modern day example of a sportsman to be admired. As an NFL quarterback (Aussies who know nothing about NFL - that kinda means he's the captain, playmaker and main man all wrapped up into one), he never misses an opportunity to be a role model to those who idolise him. Just look at this interview with life teen if you don't believe me. 

Passion for your art never gives you an excuse to act like a barbarian. Living 'on the road' shouldn't mean you abandon the sacraments and any vows (spoken or otherwise) that you make to your loved ones. In fact, sport being a public spectacle should be considered even more of an opportunity to showcase grace. 

Holiness can be found in the most unlikely of places, and no matter what our calling, nobody is exempt from the commandment to "make disciples of all nations." We've all been given the graces - we just have to use them. 

One can't help but wonder what kind of Cardinal he liked more... 

holiness comes with many faces, all of which are 

faithful to truth, goodness and beauty.

Wisdom from the Mouths of Babes...

I love kids. I’m that girl that is constantly being forwarded or tagged in clips of kids doing funny, weird, or downright adorable things.

I’ve loved kids forever – my friends often tease me and imitate the faces I make at random children. That girl cooing over your child at the shopping centre? That’s me. The girl holding your baby (and yes, we’ve probably only just met)? Me. The psychopath describing your baby to you as ‘edible,’ ‘squishy’ or telling you they want to take a bite out of your child’s fatness? Me. Yes, I’m not being literal (it’s sad I have to clarify that), but the point is this: I love kids.

Until today, I’ve never really thought about it that much. Yes, kids are awesome, but why do they have this effect on us? Why can we watch them for hours on end, seem to have infinitely more patience for them and just want to be around them?

I think I’ve figured it out: at least for me. Joy. The uncontainable, beautiful, unhinged joy children possess and emanate in their every action. There is nothing more amazing to watch.

They remind us that no matter how bad things are, a smile can light up the room. Laughter is a song that can often make your soul remember how good life can be. It’s funny – the littler the person, the bigger the soul, the more beautiful their joy appears to those around them.

We were given a commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.” God knows what He’s doing – children teach us love, patience, hope, service. They show us to be pleased with the littlest things in life, a fun song, a colourful something, a ball, our parents, our carers. Watch the way a mother cares for her child, or how much she goes through to bring a child into the world and you’ll suddenly be grateful for both the big and small things our mothers do and endure for us. If we were all like that, don’t you think we’d all be happier?

If we were like children, little and innocent, grateful and trusting – would not most of our troubles simply dissipate?

St. JPII **The Great** (yes, I’m a junkie – let’s not dwell too much on this point) told us: “we need to make a bigger deal out of ordinary love.” Isn’t this what mothers have been saying for generations? We can’t forget the monotony and unremarkable everyday actions exhibited every day that rather than frustrate us, should show us how to love one another.

Uncle Fults clarifies to us: “a mother is a double benefactor to humanity: its physical preserver, and its moral provider. Through life, and through the high personal qualities of her children, she is the universe's constant challenge to death, the messenger of cosmic plenitude and the bearer of eternal realities.”

When we rejoice in children, when we spend time with them and love them with a Christlike love, we can not help but be struck by how much we learn – little people are wiser than we give them credit for!

"She's not heavy, she's my sister..."