Fatherhood: The Importance of Sports
AFF Newsletter on Substack #33
Welcome to the AFF Newsletter on Substack.
In today’s article, I’m going to share some fond memories from my childhood, the ones I remember, and dive into the importance sports played in bonding with my dad.
The Importance of Sports
I’m sitting here on a beautifully sunny Saturday morning. I’ve just walked the dog with my son and I’m planning on watching a football (soccer) match with him after writing this.
I like watching sports with my son as it reminds me of fond memories I have of doing the same with my dad.
My dad worked hard all week and would be in on parenting duties at weekends while my mum went to work. This worked out great for me because I really looked forward to watching sports with him.
A typical Saturday would consist of football training followed by a trip to my Nan and Grandad’s house then back to our house for a day of watching sports, scrolling Ceefax and playing Football Manager.
My dad and I would watch sports in the lounge room on our big TV, and by big, I mean bulky. We would kick around a small foam ball - in between my dad having a nap, playing games of football in the street with my friends or my sister interrupting us!
Sport was a big deal for me growing up. In fact, I think the importance of sports should not be underestimated when it comes to the early years of a child’s life and development.
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If I wasn’t watching sports on the TV, my dad would take me and my sister swimming or rollerskating. We loved those little adventures.
My dad definitely was trying to create memories with his kids.
On Sundays, I would normally have a football match. Afterwards, my dad would usually take me to a garden centre for some food or we would go back to the house and I would play with friends or watch some more sports.
My dad would also take me to mid-week football practice after he’d had a busy day at work. He would take me to tryout sessions for bigger clubs and he would genuinely take an interest in my sporting exploits.
He would take me to early morning swimming sessions, some of which started at 6am. He would then go to work and take me to training sessions in the evening.
I look back on these times and they inspire me to want to recreate them with my son.
Sporty kids
I loved being a sporty kid.
I’ve always said that being into sports really helped me navigate the peer pressures at school.
I wasn’t the most popular kid, although that being said, I wasn’t unpopular. I believe it was because I played in all the sports teams.
I was never subjected to any bullying or put under any of the social pressures I saw other students being tested with.
When it comes to my son, I want to be there for my son. I want him to be a sporty kid. I want him to enjoy memories of our evenings and weekends. I want him to enjoy going to training practices with his dad. I want him to experience the joys that sports can bring.
Do you watch sports with your kids?
Do you play sports with them?
Do you encourage them to take part in any sports?
Do you have any fond memories of your parents taking you to sports events?
My dad was there for me through the ups and downs, living the pain and excitement of every loss and match I won.
He was there cheering me on in the stands as I won important swimming events and was there to give me a hug if I lost.
He may not have always been the best with emotional support but he was always there for me.
He still is.
His dedication to being there for me is something I swore I would maintain with my own son.
And I think I am.
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I want to be present in his life and encourage him to pursue his talents, skills and dreams, and whether they are sports-related or not, I want him to know that his dad will be there with him every step of the way.
Tomorrow, my son and I are going to watch our local football team play, but today I'll be watching a game with him - with a small foam ball in the lounge room ready to be kicked around!
Thank you for reading.
Take care and have a great day,
Roscoe | @AFFathers
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