Part of Development in Youth Sports is Learning to Cooperate with Those of Different Backgrounds.
Growing up English speaking in French Canada was more unique that I first thought. My heritage was the hated one during a time of political and cultural revolt.
Good Morning.
The setting was early 1970’s and in Quebec, the tensions between the French speaking Quebecers and the English Quebecers were very high.
The FLQ (Font du Liberation du Quebec) October crisis occurred in 1970. The uprising of the FLQ was a result of a growing dissatisfaction with the English control of the local economy. This particular stage of the unrest had been playing out since 1963. The FLQ targeted English. It was violent and the precursor to the Parti Quebecois, whose mission is Quebec independence from the rest of Canada.
Current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s father was the PM at the time, and being English in French Quebec was not popular. More on the details around the conflict here: https://www.ctvnews.ca/w5/flq-crisis-pierre-trudeau-s-right-hand-man-recalls-canada-under-terrorist-threat-1.4809054
At the same time, my parents, both with English has their mother tongue, felt strongly that their children would have better options growing up if we spoke French. So off to 100% French school I went.
In hindsight, it was very smart. At the time, I remember it to being quite stressful.
1970. School starts in a language I did not understand. Not one word. The teachers did not speak much, if any, English and I never spoke French at home. Because kids are resilient and sponges, I figured it out quite fast. By my 2nd year, I was functioning fluently in French.
Little did I know in grade 1 and 2 that learning French and the challenge that it was, was nothing compared to understanding the conflict between French and English. The English were perceived as the threat to the French culture.
Think about it. All English for me at home. My new classmates were French. An Irish name like Lawlor stood out like a sore thumb among the Lefebvres, Seguins, Girouxs, Lebuis, Bouchards and other french Canadian names.
As a youngster, I understood play. I was coordinated and did well in playground game and gym time. That got me some playground credibility and some friends.
Imagine the confusion the first time we lined up to battle the English speaking kids from the neighboring schools at recess?
A school yard tussle of English vs French. Some of the English speaking kids I knew from my street or my youth soccer/baseball/hockey team were on the other side. Rocks and stuff being thrown back and forth.
Conflict. Confusion. Surreal really, more than a 7-8 year old should have to experience.
A soldier stands guard in Montreal while martial law declared in 1970 during the “October Crisis”.
Further to my surprise was being confronted by a classmate in grade 3, who I guess felt it was up to him to protect the French language and culture by trying to punch me in the mouth after school one day. 47 or so years later, I remember getting backed into a corner, a group of kids surrounding us chanting, and facing a kid who must have been as petrified as I was. I also remember closing my eyes and swinging a closed fist and connecting so hard it hurt my hand. That put him down. And gave me an out to get home as quick as possible. Which I took.
Seemed to get a little more room around the school and playground and was never confronted again around language or my last name.
As clear as that memory is, it really was the exception rather than the rule.
The more common memories were playing touch football, soccer, golf, street hockey, wiffle ball, floor hockey and just about anything we could think of with my new French friends. I was accepted. My non-french name aside, it did not seem to matter when I scored goal or did something to help the team.
The Physical Movement is a weekly free newsletter on leadership through play, sports, fitness and physical education.
Sport and play opened up the door to learn about the French Canadian culture. I visited my French friends houses, had dinner with their families. Developed a best friendship with a french speaking pal across the street, went away with his family in the summer. It was a different culture than ours and I liked it. At 12 years old I remember a hockey trip to Acadian New Brunswick, where the culture was different again from Quebec francais.
I learned that for all the differences, we are not all that different. We were united by our love of playing our favorite sport.
Our disagreements were those in competition, not about language or culture.
As I grew older in sports, I was always in the minority on the team. There might have been another English speaking boy on a team of 12-14.
At 14, my family moved from a bilingual hub on the Island of Montreal to a predominantly French speaking one. At least French speaking when it came to community sports. My hockey and baseball teams were almost all uni-lingual French. I was often the only anglophone player on the team.
You know what?
We got along. Some of the best coaches I had were on those teams.
The camaraderie in the locker room and on the buses grew. English and French were not an issue on the teams. This became more and more the rule as I got older right through university.
Athletes have a way of speaking the language of competition. Of working together towards a common goal. Of figuring out a way to try and outlast the opponent. Of practicing and supporting each other towards these goals.
When left to the athletes, the issue of language and culture were not issues.
When we fast forward to 40-50 years later, I think that can still hold true. Our young athletes do not necessarily see someone of a different language or culture, they see a teammate unless someone teaches them different.
We see communities build teams around multi cultures. Sports like soccer, baseball, volleyball and basketball are international in nature. Hockey has a lot of work to do but seems to be getting better.
About 6 years ago, my son had the chance to play with a young Japanese baseball player. His family was in our town for 2 years as part of his Dad’s work with Toyota. The young Japanese ball player was smart, athletic, positive, skilled, funny and great to be around. He spoke very little English. It was a great experience for Jamie and his teammates to have the common bond of baseball with someone from the other side of the world.
Our young athletes can get so much of playing sports. So much more than just physical skill development.
Getting along with people of different backgrounds is massive in building a good person who contributes to society.
Diversity within the teams, and the communities can be a strength in youth sports.
The lessons learned at a young age of not only getting along with others but learning about the other culture still stay with me to this day.
40 years later I still function at times in French with business contacts in Quebec. Understanding the culture has helped me through the years in immeasurable ways.
Which then begs the question: What can coaches, volunteers, and parents do to celebrate the cultural differences through sport and play?
· The first step is to recognize the importance of getting along with others who are different as a component of development. Not just cultural and race differences but differences of any kind should be recognized and supported. This especially holds true to players who are not as skilled on the team. Back in my youth, young girls playing with boys was not the norm. It is today and another opportunity to celebrate the differences.
This is a life skill. As all of us move to the working world, working with different people of different background is part of contributing to the greater good.
· Organizations need to implement policies around inclusion and educate their leaders. Focus on celebrating the differences rather than using them as a wedge. Too often in our world we see many alienated because they are different. This needs to be a part of coach certifications and referee/official training. It sets the foundation for respecting all differences, between opposing players, teams and parents and with officials.
The concept of respect for others seems to be less and less prevalent. Perhaps a reflection of our society? Respect for others who are different needs to be moved up the priority list.
· Encourage team bonding activities where athletes can get to know their teammates off the field of play. From birthday parties at a young age to bus trips. These are great opportunities to learn about others. Leaders do not leave this to chance. Use these experiences in a positive way for team building and development.
· Use tournaments and regional competitions to get to know your opposition and their culture. In our youth, regional tournaments did not involve parents driving and hotel stays. They were exchange trips. Growing up in Montreal, I mentioned the exchange trip to New Brunswick, but we also had some to Quebec City and Boston over the years. Those trips involved staying with a family from the opposing team.
From the bus and flights, to snowmobiling in New Brunswick, WHA hockey game in Quebec City, to a birthday party in Boston, all these experiences are etched in my mind as part of the learning experiences.
We are different but the same!
Can these experiences contribute to being more tolerant of people of difference?
I think so.
Youth sports offers so much in development beyond the physical skills. Getting along with others is one are of focus in a developmental model.
All who participate in youth sports need this more today than ever, and better people come out of our programs as a result.
Play. Lead. Be Strong.
The Physical Movement bonus section on leadership from around the world within the realm of sport, play, fitness and physical education.
Here are some great stories around that very thing:
The Olympian who stood up to a global brand, forced changed and got paid in the process:
Really enjoyed this article. It is so important to share stories of leadership from within the realm of sport for young people. In this case, especially for young women!
https://huddleup.substack.com/p/the-olympian-that-stood-up-to-a-170
The shoulder workout that has changed my daily routine, helped my batting practice throws and helps the keyboard hunch over!
Dr. Kelly Starrett, best selling author and coach is a great go to source for different strategies on keeping the aging body “supple”. His strategies are always backed by lots of knowledge so to understand the WHY behind the moves.
The WHY is so critical for all of us. We don’t need to have a Phd in exercise science, but the WHY will help us do what makes a difference to keep us strong and powerful as we get older.
Online PE is a Worth Pushing For….
This is a good time for parents to become familiar with your child’s P.E. curriculum and teacher. It is also a good time for parents to model healthy exercise habits at home.
Return to school means online for many this fall. This is the kind of initiative for our kids that will make an impact. Delivering online PE.
This group in Virginia is leading the charge with online PE.
https://loudounnow.com/2020/08/21/p-e-teachers-are-about-to-get-some-long-overdue-love/
Home school Realities in Memes.
We home schooled our son until grade 9. It is not for everyone. It worked for us (I think!) I could write a book on the situations and stories, but that is for another day.
With all that is going on in the world, many more have thought about it.
Here is a fun article outlining realities of homeschooling in 12 memes. Enjoy.