All about the Sports Teams and events in the Cowichan Valley

First, I would like to say thank you for the opportunity to rant on this exciting new web site. I love sports and I love my community and if you ask around, I truly value my own opinion. So congrats to Gary the publisher and all involved for this revolutionary site and the possibilities it creates for the Cowichan Valley.

So here we go; a little bit more about me. I would consider myself to be very competitive. I play to win. Why even play if not to try to win. The rush and adreneline that surges through everyone in a tight game abandons any other purpose other than to mop the floor with your opponent. When my friends sit opposite me in an epic battle of Cranium, Watch out, I will bring it every task.

But with that degree of competitiveness, there has to be many levels of sportsmanship. Particularly in our minor sports here in Cowichan. After a competitive game, a player, his team, coach and entourage of grandparents and chauffeurs that make up the peanut gallery should walk away proud - win or lose.

Throughout any sporting event there are several things to consider to balance your healthy thirst for winning with some Cowichan Valley sportsmanship. Here are eight simple rules:

1. Respect your opponent. Do not prejudge your foe. They are exactly like you. They are there for the exact same reason. They have the exact same pride in themselves and their community and particularly their child. Politeness goes miles in sports.

2. Lay off the officiating already. I find it hilarious when people isolate the defining moments of a game with a bad call. Yes, everyone was perfect except the official. And further, what does "c'mon ump" or "you're brutal ref" say to those around you? Are you a crowd pleaser or just an angry role model? Trust me, it speaks very little about the topic and volumes about you. You consider yourself a nice person yet you are willing to degrade an upstart bantam ball player making a couple of dollars doing something related to the game he loves. He may not be good but I bet he is trying. Shame on you.

3. Cheer positively. Negative campaigns, or 'mudslinging' is a disdainful way of seeking advantage over your opponent. Yelling loud and proud for yours is wonderful.

4. Everyone plays. It doesn't matter if you are in a tight race or a blow out, every player should hit the ice. Hey, if you are killing the other guys, let the weaker kids play the good positions. Move them up the batting order and get them touching the ball in the infield. Play hard, but coach the whole team. Switching things up is a healthy way to not run up a score and to include the whole team.

5. Do not generalize. One foul mouthed bully does not make the other team jerks. Way too often after the game kids are yapping and yapping about the horrible opponents they just played. Just remember, people are generally good folks and every team has at least one mouthpiece; including yours.

6. Represent. Do not have the rest of a tournament refer to your team as the "jerk" team. You travel and host as representatives of our community. The term "Warmland" is often negated by loud mouth hockey Moms and it is embarrassing for us all. It is a true feather in the coach's cap to win most sportsmanlike team and still do well.

7. Play hard and have fun. Chin up and do not give up until the final whistle. I like the "digger awards" in minor hockey. They recognize kids that play hard all of the time. They win graciously and lose with dignity. It keeps things fun.

8. Be proud. If you love to play the game it doesn't matter how many grounders went between your legs. You tried your best. Celebrate your smallest accomplishments and enjoy the rush that competitive sports gives you.

Remember it is just a game.

Our kids will compete the same way as we do. Let's remember that to coach competitevely and teach kids skills in sports it is just as important to demand fair play and sportsmanship. Nice guys may not always finish first but everyone cheers when they do.