First, we had the Harlem Globetrotters, the American exhibition basketball team. In more recent years (since 2016), in case we were not aware previously, we have been introduced to the Savannah Bananas, an American exhibition baseball team from the state of Georgia where the emphasis is more on “showmanship, fan participation, and quick-paced games” and less on the results. Some might question if it is really sport; others will wonder if the game is rather incidental; all see it as entertainment. At the heart of it all, though, is the very simple but effective and exciting mantra: ‘Fans First’.
The ‘Fans First’ mantra is aimed at ensuring fans are entertained, included, valued and excited. They make fun the priority – fun first, fan first! They are guided by five Es in their pursuit of this fresh Entertainment: “Eliminate friction, Entertain always, Experiment constantly, Engage deeply, and Empower action”. Those are powerful objectives. They even removed all stadium advertising so that the fans were not distracted from the reason for which they came, the sport, even though advertising could bring in much revenue. The revenue missed from such advertising was no doubt replaced by the income from the increased number of fans flocking to enjoy the event. Everything was geared to the fan experience, employing imaginative ‘turns’ to create memorable moments for all who came. They put fans first and the fans responded.
Well may we look at this initiative as we consider school sport. Many parents, who are the fans, the loyal spectators, would be thrilled for such an all-round experience when they come to watch school sporting fixtures. Already, at rugby fixtures in particular, we have huge crowds converging on schools and for many of them it is not only for the sport (if even that, in some cases). It would appear that the fixtures are for the parents’ entertainment with sponsors ready to maximise any such exposure. We have news for you: it is not for the parents’ entertainment. It is not ‘fans first’ in school sport.
Very simply, we must make sure that we put Kids First, when it comes to school sport. We are doing it for them, for no-one else, and if we stray from that path, we are heading for trouble. In that regard we may do well to adapt the Savannah Bananas’ philosophy of their five Es: “Eliminate friction, Entertain always, Experiment constantly, Engage deeply, and Empower action” We must eliminate everything that causes friction for the children (not least the friction of parental interference); we must let the children enjoy the game; we must experiment by playing all the players and not just the select few; we must engage with the children in helping them understand why they are playing port; we must empower them with life skills through the sport. School sport should have its own five Es: they play sport at school for their Enjoyment, Education, Enrichment, Empowerment, Enlightenment. Kids first, everything else secondary.
When it comes to school sport, without questions it must be Kids First. We must put the children’s enjoyment at the top of the list; if they are not having fun, if they are not enjoying themselves (in practices and matches) we are failing. It is their fun that we must put above all others (and fun is not determined by winning or losing). We must put the kids’ education first, above any meaningless talk of results or records. We must put the children’s safety first, not pushing them at the wrong speed or at the wrong level. We must put the children’s opportunities first, not other people’s reputations. We must keep the children’s experience first, that all-round commitment to fun, friendship and fitness.
In passing and closing, we may also seek to emphasise that it is not just not putting fans first, but also not coaches, nor even the school. It is Kids First – and for them, Fun First, not Fans First. No question. The Savannah Bananas place great emphasis on developing a close connection between the fans and the players and in school sport we must work on developing a close connection between the children and sport, thus building a closer connection with their own biggest fans, their parents. To all the Savannahs (and Sarahs, all the Rachels and Raianes, all the Zaras and Zaydes), this is for you. We must ensure that we all put the children first. We are not going bananas; we are serious. Kids first – nothing else! Enjoy!
