Demise
 stu barr
|
Posted: 6 June 2001, 8:39 AM
Kiwi sport is one of the major causes of the demise of New Zealands elite sports people.
Encouraging non-competitive participation in all sport, allows potentially talented athletes to strive only for a level of mediocrity. This is displayed by the current international athletes in New Zealand's major sporting codes. Our cricketers and rugby players are currently performing at a level far below the majority of their predecessors. Is this directly related to the fact that this is also the first strain, of top level sportsman, to emerge that have entered their respective sports through the kiwisport system?
Kiwisport, however, is not only to blame. With sport being televised on up to 5 channels, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there is no longer a necessity for the individual to compete. Satisfaction can be gained by simply watching others compete in any multitudes of sports in countries around the globe. But this virtual satisfaction is not confined solely to the sporting arena. An individual is no longer required to socialise, or be active, within their own home environment. They can now daily look into the boring home lives of other people to fulfil this mandatory requirement. It is a scary world in which we live!
Personally, I believe it is insane to stop people from winning, simply to ensure that others do not lose. The existance of the human race is based upon its competitive instinct to dominate and excel. Why do we endeavour, then, to supress our fundamental instincts?
When you teach people not to win, are you not merely teaching them to lose?
|
|
fraser
|
Posted: 14 October 2001, 2:38 AM
Test
|
|
fraser
|
Posted: 14 October 2001, 3:21 AM
Test
|
|
fraser
|
Posted: 14 October 2001, 3:23 AM
Test
|
|
stuart payne
|
Posted: 25 October 2001, 1:53 AM
While I agree with Stu Barr that elite sport is about having the competitive edge and therefore developing the competitive spirit is essential, I do not believe Kiwisport, per se, is the cause of any such demise in NZ athlete's competitiveness.
Kiwisport is about developing core skills to undertake sport with ability and confidence. These skills are best acquired in an environment which is encouraging, supportive and non-threatening. Such an environment is a non-competitive one.
Once children have the skills, then comes the time to be competitive. One can be as competitive as one likes but if one only has poorly acquired skills one isn't going to get far. Anyway, my experience of taking kiwisport is that naturally competitive children are competitive right from the start - whatever the kiwisport philosophy is.
|
|
Michael
|
Posted: 23 November 2001, 2:13 PM
It seems that Stu wouldn't like to take part in variations of orienteering which are "de-tuned" for particular concentration spans, or understandings of maps, or limitations of the terrain accessible or the preparation time available.
I'm sorry that we won't be seeing you at the O-Max park races any more Stu.
|
|
bcg
|
Posted: 28 October 2002, 2:36 PM
DO YOU THINK YOU WILL LOOSE AGAIN
|
|
bcg
|
Posted: 28 October 2002, 2:37 PM
WHO ARE YOU?
|
|
|
© Ruffneck Productions