Q&A with DAVID BECKHAM about inspiring young children through sport - ANSWERS BACK

[RachelMumsnet]

This week we're offering you the chance to post your question to none other than [drum roll]DAVIDBECKHAM. As a national sporting icon,Becksis an inspirational role model to millions of young people and is going to be answering your questions in a Q&A themed around mentoring, coaching and inspiring young people through sport. Post your questions to him before midday Monday 9th September and we'll select and send TEN questions over to him and post up his answers on Monday 16th September.

Davidsupports Sky Sports Living for Sport, the free initiative for schools that uses sports stars and skills to improve the lives of young people across Britain and Ireland. Now in its tenth year the initiative is run in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust and reaches a third of all secondary schools with 30,000 young people participating every year. You can also catch David in series of football masterclasses on Game Changers on Saturday mornings at 9am on Sky Sports 1HD.

Sky Sports Living for Sports is also supported by ambassadors Gold Medallists, Jessica Ennis CBE, Darren Campbell MBE, Katie Taylor and a team of 74 other world class athlete mentors who use their life-changing stories and expertise to inspire young people to learn new life skills through sport.

How does the initiative work?
Teachers can run the Sky Sports Living for Sport on a stand-alone basis or as part of existing curriculum activities by selecting up to 20 students who they feel need support and submitting a simple project plan in outline. Sky Sports Living for Sport then sends them information packs and t-shirts. Teachers set project goals with their groups including asking them to lead their own sports event, before finally celebrating the group?s achievements. Every school that participates will receive two visits from a professional Athlete Mentor.

To sign up a school visit//www.skysports.com/livingforsport

This Q&A is sponsored by Sky Sports Living For Sport

[RevoltedMum]

David,

A paediatrician used you and Andy Murray as examples of hypermobile sportsmen, he had even observed your penmanship.

Are you indeed hypermobile?

Have you got any of the hypermobile syndromes that appear to be mild in males? hypermobility.org/ ehlers-danlos.org/

[anotetofollowso]

Dear Mr Beckham (sorry, but 'David' feels absurd!),

My nine year old son is passionate about sport - especially football - and talented at many of them. But winning is everything to him and I worry that his sports talent is playing into a lack of genuine self-esteem. How do you encourage a love for sport while at the same time discouraging fierce competitiveness ? Do the two have to go hand-in-hand, or is it possible to raise a good athlete who doesn't always need to win?

[RachelMumsnet]

The Q&A is now closed. We'll be selecting ten Qs to send over to Goldenballs Mr Beckham later today and then post up his answers next Monday (16 September). Thanks to everyone who sent in questions.

[OneStepCloser]

Would you like me to deliver the questions is person Rachel?

Not sure you should trust the post.

[RachelMumsnet]

@OneStepCloser

Would you like me to deliver the questions is person Rachel?

Not sure you should trust the post.

Oh yes, I went along to Beckingham Towers yesterday and was invited in for tea to talk through the answers with Dave (I wish ) They have been sent over though so it's a nice thought that DB may be mulling over an answer to your question at this very moment

[OneStepCloser]

Shame

[RachelMumsnet]

Hi all, sorry for the delay. David has the questions and we've been told we’ll get his answers back in the next day or so. We'll keep you posted.

[OneStepCloser]

I could go and pick them up?

[RachelMumsnet]

Hi there -we just wanted to keep you updated on the Becks Q&A. We've had it confirmed that David has the questions and will be answering them whilst he is in Asia, so we should have them back and they'll be published soon'. Guess we can forgive him as he's at the other side of the world We'll keep you posted.

[mummyxtwo]

I misread that and thought you said he would be answering them whilst he was in Asda. Took me by surprise!

[mummyxtwo]

Errr.... any sign of those answers, David?

[HeatherMumsnet]

Finally we have the answers from David Beckham, who apologises for the delay in getting these back to us.

[DavidBeckham]

@HeySoulSister

oooh this is exciting!!

i'd like to ask David if he thinks its important for parents to be 'sporty' themselves and if he thinks it makes any difference to a child reaching his/hers potential? if so,is there any way parents can become involved,or are there any plans for parent/child/family sports initiatives?

Hi, that’s a good question. My own personal belief is that you don’t have to be sporty for your children to go on to achieve their potential in sport. I’ve known many parents that aren’t that way inclined but their kids were amazing at sport.I think what helps is that you support and show encouragement to your children if they want to play sport. I’m a big believer in children being more active. There are too many competing distractions for children so it’s not easy. I think the Olympics helped immensely in inspiring everyone to take up sport.

[DavidBeckham]

@Lizzylou

Nerfmother (me too!)

I'd like to ask what David thinks about the pushiness of football clubs/parents with children as young as 6/7 to be signed to professional clubs? My eldest is never going to be the next David Beckham , or at least is a late blossomer footballwise and we left a local club because of the awful pushiness of the parents and the men who ran it. He now only plays football in the playground and in the back garden, which is a shame. He loves playing, just isn't a star player as of yet.

I think the most important thing for any child is to enjoy playing the game above anything else. I can't comment on this particular situation as I’m not there but I have always said playing the game should always be about having fun. Then if you’re good, the key is to still enjoy it but to work hard, practise and receive the right guidance.

[DavidBeckham]

@worldgonecrazy

Do you think we need to increase the range of sports offered in most schools. The schools don't tend to be very imaginative, and it's still football (sorry!), rounders, netball, maybe rugby or cricket if they're lucky.

Why can't we encourage more interesting sports - fencing, rowing, clay shooting, etc. Would that encourage more children to be involved in sports?

I’m all for playing sports. My kids play a number of sports both in and outside of school. I think the issue for some schools may be the resources they have available to do those sports so that’s why they may focus on the more popular and cost-effective ones.

[DavidBeckham]

@SirRaymondClench

Dear David
I have two boys 12 and 14 and would welcome them playing more sport, however we seem to be battling against the X Box more and more.
What can we do (apart from burn the X Box!) to encourage them to take part in more outdoor sports now that the Autumn evenings are about to start and the lure of the X Box becomes greater.
I know we aren't alone in this, other parents I speak to say the same thing.
Thanks!

I know this is a challenge for many parents and it’s something I have always said. I think many elements play a part in encouraging children to play sport: good PE teachers, after school clubs, friends, inspiring role models, proper facilities and so on. I think the Olympics played a significant part, as well as I know many people were inspired. I would see what local clubs are in your area and see if there is a possibility of having your children to participate there.

[DavidBeckham]

@RatherBeOnThePiste

When you're away injured from your sport, how do you manage to stay focused and not give up? Any advice?

My daughter is a serious rower, had an injury this time last year, and was out for several months. She got incredibly low and frustrated. It was awful. We were lost too

Happily she is back in business, but I'd love to know how to support her better, because it will happen again.

It’s always important to set goals and milestones to reach. I was lucky to not have too many injuries in my career but when I did, I always had an objective or end game in mind when I was training. It’s important to have supportive and optimistic people around you as well which you sound like you are!

[DavidBeckham]

@bountyicecream

I would like to know if you exercise as a family much? I'm a firm believer that exercise needs to be a part of your way of life rather than something you do once a week with a sports club.

Do you encourage your children to be generally active? Is it difficult when (presumably) they are unable to have free play down the park, with their friends, riding bikes etc due to the paparazzi?

I have always tried to live a normal life and do normal things with my family. My kids love to be active and I have always encouraged that without being pushing them. In LA we went hiking and bike riding a lot as a family. I think it's great to do that together.

[DavidBeckham]

@anotetofollowso

Dear Mr Beckham (sorry, but 'David' feels absurd!),

My nine year old son is passionate about sport - especially football - and talented at many of them. But winning is everything to him and I worry that his sports talent is playing into a lack of genuine self-esteem. How do you encourage a love for sport while at the same time discouraging fierce competitiveness ? Do the two have to go hand-in-hand, or is it possible to raise a good athlete who doesn't always need to win?

There is nothing wrong with wanting to win but I have also had to learn how to lose as well. The most important thing is whether you have given your best for you and your team mates, then you can always walk away with your head held high. It’s good that your son wants to be the best but he will also learn soon enough that you can’t win all the time. Sometimes that is something a person needs to learn for themselves as they grow up.

[DavidBeckham]

@TheMancunianWay

Hi David,

Most of my questions about sport have already been asked so my questions are a little off topic...

I'm very excited that you've opened a restaurant with Gordon Ramsey, I've heard that you enjoy to cook at home whenever you can - what's your favourite meal to cook for your family and why?

Also if I can sneak another question in I'm not sure if anyone has already asked this and you probably don't even eat biscuits but if you had to choose, what's your favourite biscuit?

Thank you

Contrary to what has been written, I’m not an owner of a restaurant. I’m friends with Gordon so we chat about many things including his new restaurant ventures. I've seen it and I'm sure it will be a success.

In terms of a biscuit, I love to keep it simple, a Rich Tea for me.

[DavidBeckham]

@Blondeorbrunette

Is your biggest achievement on or off the pitch, and if so, what is it?

My biggest achievement is my family, no question. On the pitch there were quite a few but the Treble was special as was captaining my country.

[DavidBeckham]

@FlyMetotheMoon0

I think we all know the question that needs to be asked here...
Is Mrs Beckham on mumsnet?
I luffs her!

That’s a good question. I don’t know, I will ask her!

[HeatherMumsnet]

We've been asked by Sky Sports Living For Sport team to post up the following answers specifically about the initiative.

[SkySportsteam]

@Nerfmother

By 'need support' is that going to be creative or do you have criteria? So, are you targeting deprived areas? Or will it be open to anyone with a good enough reason? It sounds great so would be a shame to exclude groups on the basis of inverse snobbery or stereotypes.

We believe all young people can learn and develop from the experience of taking part in sport. The initiative used to target disengaged students but based on feedback from teachers, we have made it flexible so they can tailor it to suit their students.

Now any student at any school can take part as long as they use it to achieve a goal they have agreed between themselves and their teacher. This could cover improving attendance or behaviour, but their goal could just as well to be to increase their confidence, get them more engaged with sport or help them work better as a team.

To read a case study about a young student who gained confidence against the odds, click here

[SkySportsteam]

@BlackeyedSusan

is there anything that can link to primary schools? we live in the innercity and there is not a lot of spare cash for sports clubs, although we manage one, and not a lot of space to play sport (who would want to go to dog poo park, as it is known locally, to play?)

Unfortunately Sky Sports Living for Sport only support secondary schools directly at the moment but as part of the initiative we encourage students to mentor or coach younger children, or to put on events for local primary schools if appropriate.

One of our favourite facts about Sky Sports Living for Sport is that 38% of students taking part in Sky Sports Living for Sport go on to mentor a younger person.

To read how a group of students helped local primary schools children make a better move up to secondary school, click here