SPIRIT… IN SPORT
Successful sporting teams generally are well endowed with that intangible known as “fighting spirit”.
The history of sport, and indeed human endeavour, throws up countless instances where indomitable spirit and courage has prevailed, very often against great odds.
It is an area wherein a coach can perhaps make the most significant contribution. Sport’s most revered coaches down the years are those who have been able to inspire their charges to tap the “spirit within” and scale the heights in times of challenge.
The legendary American football coach, Vince Lombardi, transformed a comparatively small-town team, the Green Bay Packers, from losers to League and ultimately Super Bowl champions.
A person of outstanding character, faith and integrity, Lombardi was able to raise the self-esteem of his players to the point where each had faith in his own ability and was prepared to give of the utmost in on-field performance at training and in competition play.
Coach Lombardi exhorted all in his charges to “Strive to perform on the peaks, not in the valleys”.
The man who died of cancer in his late fifties, over 50 years ago, left an enduring impression on all who knew him or were part of his life.
There are many stories of feats of courage on the sports field that from time to time are used as motivational aids in an endeavour to lift performance level.
One often recalled is of great West Indian batsman, Frank Worrell. A classical batting stylist, Worrell (knighted for his contribution to the game he loved) died in the prime of life of leukaemia. The West Indian team in Australia in 1950-51 had no fast bowlers, unlike the later situation in the Caribbean. The speed aces then were held by Australia with the magnificent Lindwall and Miller still in prime form. The Windies had to win at Melbourne in a vital Test, and on the opening day in front of a huge assemblage, lost early wickets.
Worrell arrived at the crease and almost at once his hand was jammed against the bat handle by a Lindwall scorcher and a l’i-acturc sustained.
In obvious considerable pain and discomfort, Wonell batted on, playing virtually left-handed only and withdrawing the injured right hand just before contact.
Many times, of course, he was too late and winced in pain. Yet his spirit kept him going, and down a sunlit afternoon he produced a memorable innings rich in majestic strokeplay.
Just after five, as the shadows lengthened across the famous ground, Worrell was yorked by Lindwall for I04. It was a truly noble century, an epic of courage and perseverance.
As Worrell left the wicket and made his way slowly, head bowed, towards the pavilion, the entire crowd rose to him with an acclamation that lasted every step of the way. It was a moving salute to a brave cricketer.
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Former Assumption student Simon O’Donnell drew on every ounce of strength during the 1987 Cricket World Cup in India. The Aussies defeated England in a gripping final in front of one hundred thousand people at Kolkata’s renowned Eden Gardens.
During the tournament O’Donnell was diagnosed with cancer but he fought on and played a key role for his country. After the tournament he went into a lengthy treatment period. His fitness and character aided his recovery and enabled him to return to the game he loved and to play for Australia again and captain Victoria. He almost certainly inherited lots of that spirit from great parents. Dad, Kevin a fine sportsman himself was one of the fighter pilot heroes of the battle for Britan in WW2. Mum Bernadette, a remarkable lady lives on, past 100.
MOTIVATION
The greatest motivation for success in any endeavour comes from within. High levels of motivation can bring results on and off the playing fields. Many are spurred on in their endeavours by family, faith, memories of loved ones, or an innate desire to succeed. Strong faith is something that inspires many.
THANKS
It was good to be invited back to address the ACK footballers the other evening. The scene was all too familiar—30 or so enthusiastic teenagers listening and showing the same response of their counterparts down the generations. Afterwards all came and introduced themselves speaking of their hometowns and families, fathers and relatives of some I had coached over the years. A number of the 2025 squad are local area lads, while some live far away, including one from Ungarie (Daniher country) and one from Canberra. Coach Steve Belos and his staff are working hard—it’s a young squad and it’s been hard hit by injuries to key players.
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Travis Sullivan has worked with the ACK side for a number of years, and it was good to catch up and get news of his sister Elise. She was a fine ACK girl’s captain and a splendid journalist. Beyond college and further studies, she worked for the Ballarat Courier, Canberra Times and was a media officer for Victoria Police. Currently Elise is on a working brief in London. With support of family, she has fought a really tough health battle and is a true survivor. Her dad Brian (dec) and mum Bev certainly raised a fine daughter and two fine sons.
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TEST CHAMPIONSHIP
Australia meets South Africa at Lords this week for the World Test Championship. The famous venue is sold out even though England is not one of the combatants. Australia is red hot favourites to win but the tough cricketers from South Africa are always up for a fight.
