With the announcement this week of the Student Heads and Deputy Heads for 2023, the common factor is that they all play sport, and three out of four of them are student coaches within the school.

When looking at the Leadership Board in the Event Centre, I wasn’t surprised to see that the vast majority of our Heads and Deputy Heads over the past ten years have played sport for the school.

This speaks for itself, with sport not only building character but also developing self-leadership, time management, goal setting, accomplishment and accountability - all things a prospective employer looks for.

Sport is a well-known factor in learning how to control your emotions; it develops skill and confidence, teaches you how to respect others, win graciously and lose with dignity, and helps you deal with stress and pressure.

There is a quote by Tim Notke that says, ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’. Who doesn’t want their child to achieve what they are capable of? Sport teaches that you cannot win without doing the hard work. To be successful, you have to put in the time and effort.

Taking part in sport can help us feel fitter, healthier and mentally stronger. Research also shows it has a positive effect on academic performance.

Sport assists in our hauora, ticking the boxes for physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual development, and as we can see through our 2023 leaders, sport teaches leadership.

Lynda Hay
Director of KingsWay School Sports