Welcome to Progressive Sports Blog - PE & Sport in Schools and Communities across the UK

Whether it’s playing sport, at work, or school. Are you working hard to become the best?

Is there a blueprint for success? I would say definitely “Yes”, do successful teams, successful people and successful businesses have particular traits which mean they exceed the status quo?

If so, what are they?

Inside the mind of successful people, teams or businesses. Is a fundamental burning desire and ambition to become the best – but also to make a difference which goes beyond any monetary value. We must set ourselves goals, think big and exceed them. We need to make sure we don’t get confused with wanting to be successful or pretending to be ambitious – as action is the key to achieving your goals!

A determination, and stealthy resolve are required as there will be times when things don’t go to plan – but having the determination to carry on when the chips are down, and taking the bull by the horns and putting your head above the parapet are essential.

We must have direction, you need to know where your going as the whole world steps aside for a person who knows where they are going!

Persistence is a vital ingredient, as Chumbawamba sang “I get knocked down, but I get up again.” Giving up is the easy path to take – but it says a lot more about a person who is persistent, stays focused and takes the learning from every failure. Thomas Edison failed over a 1000 times in his pursuit to make the light bulb, but he knew every time he failed he was moving a step closer to success. Know how many people would have given up after 2 or 3 attempts?! Thomas Edison optimises the word “persistence.”

The right attitude is critical, you have to have the right mind set to be successful in anything, stay positive, stay focused, as the difference in the difference is attitude.

And finally please remember procrastination is the killer of all action and good ideas!

Sport plays an integral part in the culture of every country, whether it’s in the streets of Sau Paulo or in the member’s enclosure at Lords. Sport has a certain majesty and splendour, it’s the drama and the ecstasy, the highs and the lows, the friendships and the memories.

I will start this piece by quoting Nelson Mandela who sums it up perfectly; “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”

I chose this quote also as it is very current with the Football World Cup due to kick-off on Friday the 11th June (Come on England)! The host Nation South Africa has had its fair share of problems in the past, in particular apartheid that divided South Africa for many decades. I’m sure what you will see when the games kick off – is a country united by the beautiful game. It was Nelson Mandela in 1995 when South Africa hosted the Rugby World Cup who recognised this, and very quickly understand the important role sport could play. Nelson Mandela quite simply used the power of sport to bring a country that was divided, to be united in the support of the South African Rugby team, and this togetherness and courage was epitomised perfectly by the South African team who were widely tipped to perform poorly. But the surge of togetherness that galvanised the team, and washed over the country resulted in triumph. As South Africa won the Rugby World Cup beating the might of New Zealand!

Sport laughed in the face of adversity!

You too will also witness this watching England over the coming weeks, whether this is in your local pub or work place, in the classroom at school or listening in a traffic jam on the M6 (we have all been there)! The power of sport! Tell me what else can bring people together in such a way. People from different backgrounds, cultures, all united for 90 minutes -that one thing my friend is sport!

As an organisation that is involved daily in sport across the UK, we see the impact, and the role sport plays in moulding our personalities and rounding us as humans.

Sport is a catalyst for change in schools and communities around the world!

Sport should play an integral part in the lives of all our children, not just for the obvious health benefits. But because in teaches children self-discipline, teamwork, it raises self-esteem and confidence, it also provides you with friends for life. If you too play sport – then I guarantee you have a large pool of friends and the reason for that is because you play sport! Sport moulds you – emotionally, socially and physically.

At Progressive Sports we are using sport as our driver to raise aspirations and participation, come join us, and share in our passion and enthusiasm for sport!

It is the glue that sticks us together!

Until next time, enjoy the Football World Cup! And are you too recognising the power of sport?!