Raising standards in sport

By Tim Middleton | Jan. 25, 2026

“My child’s not sporty. No, seriously, he’s just not sporty – in fact, he never will be.

“My child’s not sporty. No, seriously, he’s just not sporty – in fact, he never will be. I don’t know why he has to be pushed in that area when he could be working harder on his academic subjects”. Have we ever heard a parent say that? It is a funny thing, though, if we will only stop to think about it. Parents often demand and insist that their child can, and will, achieve A*s – come on, that is the school’s job, to get children A*s (no matter their ability, let alone their attitude), is it not? Yet, the very same parents will say that their child cannot (and will not) do sport. Where is the logic?

This is an interesting and serious matter. Why do parents, who demand that their child gains A*s (on the grounds that they are paying lots of money and when they pay lots of money, they expect the best product), not demand that their child runs 100 metres in 11 seconds? If money, practice, whatever can produce strong academic results, then surely the same logic must apply to sport? And why do parents who demand, expect, require the highest academic grades possible (no matter the ability of the child), not demand, expect and require their child to push themselves fully in sport – after all, let us not forget, physical fitness will help mental fitness. We think our child is able to do well academically but we will not accept that he may be able to do sport… Hello?

Just as academically it may be important for the child to find the subjects that they enjoy and do understand, so the same applies to sport – not everyone is good at all sports. Children can find the sport best suited to them and try developing in it. But even within certain sports, it is simply a matter of finding a position on the field that best suits their ability and character. There is something for all.

One of the reasons that rugby is a popular game is that there is something for all types there – the tall and the small, the large and the slim, the fast and the heavy, all of them have a part to play. Even in basketball, where the emphasis is often on having tall players, there is often a place for the small player. And it is especially true with athletics – not everyone is a speedster, but those speedsters may not do well in longer distances, while those who struggle with any distance can excel in throwing or even jumping events. There is a place, a role, an event, a position, for everyone. One event is not more important than another. Each child can do some sports, even if it is at different levels.

Furthermore, one of the great opportunities that athletics can offer to all pupils in school is found in their ‘Standards’ competitions. In each event, points are awarded for different levels of achievement, meaning that all children can attain some points – a pupil may only reach the level of one point but that one point in the bigger scheme of things, in an Inter-House competition, for example, could make all the difference to the overall score. So, a child may not be able to sprint fast, run long-distance fast or even throw or jump far but they can each achieve something in any event – and no-one will begrudge them for not getting maximum points available. Do not say they cannot do sport; they can all do sport, just at different levels, and by doing all, then they are contributing.

In Inter-House cross-country, which many pupils hate, they can all achieve one point, maybe two points, even three points. They may not be getting the equivalent of A*s but they are all having a say in the final destination of the House trophy. All count; all can compete; all can contribute.

What this serves to underline is that in life as well in sport, there are high-fliers and also-rans – not everyone can be top dog and very few can achieve the highest grade, be it in sport or in academics. Everyone can contribute, however, even if it is only one point. The same applies in the workplace. Some high-fliers in a company may have shown high academic ability, gaining not just A*s but degrees and masters and Doctorates but in every company, there is a place for someone with no or very few limited qualifications. The fact is, though, that each of them is as important and valuable as the others. The concept of ‘Standards’ in athletics teach children that valuable lesson.

Parents, not everyone is going to gain three A*s; not everyone is going to be selected for teams. It does not matter. Sport at whatever level is essential for many reasons so we must not deprive them of those opportunities - and understand that whatever level a child may attain in academics and sport is valuable and valued. It is vital to have standards and to aim high. Just try – and be amazed.