Remember rounders?

Daisy does, because it was the sport she loved playing most of all, and probably because it was such great fun.

Thwacking that hard ball just as much as you possibly could with a round stick and then, if you did manage an actual hit, sending it flying somewhere, well, anywhere, then  running off as fast as you could, hoping to get back to base before some clever girl spiritedly threw the ball at one of the base posts, and  caught you out.

The point of the game was to hit the ball as far away as you could,complete a full circuit of the four base posts, and get back to your home base, before one of the fielding team knocked you out.

A very lively game and great fun.  Of course, it was much more fun to be batting than fielding, always, and if you were caught out while doing your circuit, or not a  good batter, you did spend a great deal of time sitting on the side and watching all the other girls play.  Which was no fun at all.

And why these memories today?  In today's Daily Telegraph,  Thursday, August 16th,  with its continuing  coverage of post Olympic Games Britain, three people give accounts of their  school days' sporting activities; their enjoyment, their participation and the great fun to be had just joining-in and taking part.

Once in the gym hall, each of us doing our own movement " thing", Daisy was picked to show off her move.  She froze on the spot, because she couldn't for the life of her, remember what it was she'd done.  When she did remember, she couldn't imagine why her move had so invigorated her teacher so as to pick on her, just to show-off that move.  Of course, she was yelled at for hesitating and not getting on with her repeat performance; was it really so original.  And what had she done, well only roll over and over along a low-level narrow wooden floor beam or bar, from end to end.

Daisy supposes now it showed some sort of enterprise, some inspiration or free-spirit individuality, which got her noticed; instead she just felt silly  but,  later on, glad she'd done something.

That's the thing, isn't it?  The taking part, the involvement, being part of a team and working together, which is what sport is all about.  Winning medals is splendid, of course it is, it's what makes it all so worthwhile; for what follows is such an increase in feelings of  self-worth, personal happiness and a total lack of "poor little me"syndrome, that  one simply cannot believe it or credit it, until you've actually experienced it for yourself?

Daisy used to love taking part in relay racing too, only she really wasn't cut-out for it...but it did make her laugh!


That opportunity of taking part in team competitive sports, at your own level, is what it's all about.
We should never allow ourselves to give up on physical activity, whatever the standard we achieve, for the effort and time spent on our chosen sporting activity, more than compensates for the effort used.


And movement makes me feel good!  "What about you?  Daisy