Celebrating success – and that feeling of belonging

At the end of the basketball season here in Scotland our under 18 team had a playoff game against Falkirk Fury and – I am pleased to say – won! That makes the team both league and cup champions. Even in a minority sport like basketball by anybody’s standards that is a great achievement.

As I sat with the group who had gathered to do the classic “debrief” I looked at how that group was made up and it included.

• There were parents of players past and present
• Players – past and present
• Coaches – past and present

It is now 4 years since our son played at that age group – he was able to join us for a beer with the coaches too later. He joined in the conversation as if he had never been away.

What does that tell us about the strength of the club? More than anything for me its the ethos of respect, support and encouragement for every young person who participates. That feeling of belonging lasts longer than the time on the court. And as a parent if feels like a safe environment for our children to be learning life lessons.

Our coaches are not paid – they are all volunteers. But they have a job to do so in the broadest sense are “employees”. Many lessons could be learned from our club and similar organisations on the value and benefits of creating that sense of belonging.

I heard soccer legend Thierry Henry answer and interviewers questions about coming back to play football in England. He played for Arsenal a London team until he joined Barcelona in Spain. He said that the only team he could possibly consider playing for in England now is Arsenal. He described himself as “a fan”….what does that say about his sense of belonging?

Our coaches are all volunteers – they are not paid. But they have a job to do in the broadest sense are “employees”. Many lessons could be learned from our club and similar organisations on the value and benefit of creating that sense of belonging.