to hate the new style sports days? whatever happened to races?

[twooter]

Had dcs sports day this week. Usual team events - throwing a welly, throwing a bean bag in a hoop etc etc. Absolutely NO way of seeing how well they were doing compared to the other teams - all of it was against the clock, so nothing to inspire them to push themselves. No watching others do their bit, hence no cheering/suppport for their teams. Then at the end, The team placings were given, from last to first. What was the point?

[MilaMae]

Hmmm I hated sports day as was a crap PE pupil frequently humiliated. I was however pretty good at most academic subjects which I never got the chance to flex my muscles at on a public platform.

I think the new way is fantastic(as do many parents I know). If it was returned to the ritual humiliation of old then I feel there should be public spelling bees,mental maths wipe outs,art shows,public speaking,languages,writing recitals for all children whatever their ability no exclusions a la old style sports day(complete with braying,hollering,parents etc).

If this was to happen people crap at PE would get to show the public their ability in other areas instead of wanting to slink away when simply known as the pupil crap at pretty much all areas of PE.

[AuntiePickleBottom]

i used to hate sports day, as i was always put under so much pressure to do well, i normally came in 1st or 2nd.

i like the new style, the children hopefully can have a good afternoon showing there parents how well the have processed in PE and have fun.

[TotallyUtterlyDesperate]

I hated sports days when I was at school and I think that it coloured how I saw sport in general. My mum was told by a teacher that I was entered into every race because they knew I would come last - and that it was well known that I wouldn't cry when I did! The fact that I felt totally humiliated all of the time didn't matter at all. I have never forgotten that feeling :(

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

I've been to boys' sports day today. I think it was great - they did the team beanbag bit but also had some straightforward running races too.
I think the team bit takes away the competitiveness - like previous posters I still remember the humiliation of coming last in every single race. I never got the chance to show off in competitive maths, either. By the end of primary school the teachers had taken pity on me and let me use my maths skills to sort out the scoring instead.

The only competitiveness I saw this afternoon was from one of the Dads, who obviously prepared for the Dads race by turning up in tracksuit and trainers (he won). Obviously a product of old-style sports days and trying to relive his past glories.

[Riveninside]

Dds school does both. Races plus team games. Dd always wins the egg n spoon race cos the egg is wedged between her knees

[controlpantsandgladrags]

As the kid who always came last in sports day races, I think I prefer the new way! I hated sports day with a passion.

[upahill]

I used to come last at everything as well at sports days but I still hate these team games.
They are not sports!!

[TenthCircle]

Yesterday, I loathed the competitive nature of sports day, was at pains to explain that it was not the winning but the taking part that mattered, being a good sport was as important as anything else.

However...today my DS was triumphant and victorious in the sack race of lifetime! I was ridiculously pleased for him.

A combination of team and individual events is ideal though. I went through primary school being fourth last out of 13 girls in almost every race I ran.

[culturemulcher]

Agree completely twooter.

Last year, a boy who has severe learning difficulties ran a blinder of a race - it would have been fantastic if he could have been given a medal for coming first and for the other children to be able to recognise one of his achievements for once (in an activity that they all respect).

I also completely agree with the lack of atmosphere, and yes, we all ended up just having a good old chat and almost forgetting about the events going on.