Lindfield Prep Sport: Be yourself at your best Sport at Lindfield gives each of our boys At a school carnival level, each boy the opportunity to develop physically, always has the opportunity to do his socially and emotionally. It helps our best knowing he is representing himself boys challenge themselves and enjoy the and his house, and that without the camaraderie team sportsand efforts of each individual boy, the house representing your school bring. does not succeed. Each Saturday every At the beginning of the year, Mr primary boy represents Newington in a Barrington-Higgs encouraged boys to “be team sport. Regardless of the result of yourself, at your best” as they the game, boys should first focus on participated in summer sport trials, the their effort, and then how that effort swimming carnival and cross country. contributed to the performance of the team. If every boy is striving to be his best, there is a sense of satisfaction ‘If every boy is striving to knowing that nothingwas left in the tank. be his best, there is a For parents, ask boys coming off the field or court “are you proud of how you sense of satisfaction played today?” or “did you give 100 per knowing that nothing cent out there?”rather than “did you Finn Wicks win?” or “what was the score?”. These My opportunity: was left in the tank’ questions take away all opportunity to blame team mates or officials and force Finn Wicks (6/KI) When there is competition, not everyone a level of accountability from the individual boy to the team. State champs. The biggest and can finish in the A team or first place. toughest Nippers competition of the Encouraging boys to “be yourself, at While sport is competitive, and everyone year, months of training all leading your best” provides a different likes a win or a positive result, if boys are up to this long weekend. Every year perspective. For one boy in each age individually performing “at their best”, in March, more than 85 clubs all group, that will mean finishingfirst, which that is all we can ask. If every boy is along the coastline of NSW are should be celebrated, however the performing at his best, the team has brought together by this one major efforts of every boy who has strived to the very best chance of success and carnival. “be his best” are to be equally victory, whatever the sport or recognised and celebrated. competition may be. Many Newington boys from Lindfield came to this event, including Oscar Veitch and Will Killen from the club Freshwater, Matias Barrington-Higgs and Arlo Merewether from Wyvern House, and me from North Bondi. Although we were representing different clubs, there was great camaraderie between the boys and girls from every club. I competed in many events including flags, sprints and relays. Everyone trained at least three times a week, which included early morning sessions. In the individual sprints Igot through many heats, a quarterfinal, a semi final, and in the final I came first in the Under 12 boys event. In the Under 12 boys beach relay our team defended our title to achieve a first place three years in a row. In the first-ever mixed relay at a state titles, my team pulled away to get the gold and more points for our club. My weekend was one to remember, with many lessons learnt and many friendships strengthened. I am already looking forward to next year. Boys from Kingswood (red) and Rydal (blue) ready to compete in the cross-country OPPORTUNITY| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| 49