Sports day season is upon us. With BB in reception this is the first year we’ve had the pleasure, and I have to say it’s been a revelation.

If my social media feed is anything to go by there seem to have been an alarming number of non-competitive sports days taking place, where there are no winners and no losers – everyone is equal.

What on earth is the point of non-competitive sports day

I mean what on earth is the point of non-competitive sports day? Why hold an event comprising of races if no-one’s going to win? What a waste of time!

Thankfully BB’s school isn’t one that has embraced the non-competitive sports day idea (that revelation would have been enough to make me choose a different school). The winners were given first, second and third stickers, the losers got nothing and the teachers goaded the kids on with surprising vehemence. Which I think is exactly as it should be.

A healthy dose of competition teaches kids dedication, to focus on the end goal, to practise and to do their best, even though they might not win. It also teaches them how to deal with disappointment and manage their feelings when they don’t excel.

How are the non-competitive sports day victims going to fare when it comes to exams and job interviews and life? I shudder to think. And what of the kids who aren’t good at reading, writing or other disciplines? Proper old-fashioned sports days give them the chance to shine.

BB won stickers for her running and throwing races, but she also came away with nothing from others, and I’m glad.

There’s always going to be someone better at something in life than you are, unless you’re Mo Farah or Usain Bolt, but even they must run with the fear that they could be beaten. The sooner kids accept that the better.

What do you think? Are non-competitive sports days a waste of time, or actually a good idea?

Linking up with…

Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday
Best of Worst
Life with Baby Kicks