Ben Watson-Senior Raleigh Redhawk player. Varsity, All Star and runner up WRAL TV Scholar Athlete of the Month 😍
Leadership and The Five Core Values of Rugby
Rugby is like a chess game, many moving pieces making calculated moves on an open
plane. Rugby has become much more than a sport to me for the past six years. It is a sport with rich heritage and culture emphasizing sportsmanship, the abidance of rules, and discipline. These sentiments are echoed in the five core values of rugby: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship. These core values have developed into the basis of modern rugby. Dedication to following the rules and adhering to these core values create the best environment to play the game. Without these key values the game would not be as universal, transgenerational, and enjoyable for all. Youth rugby is the foundation of the sport, and it is important to emphasize these values not only for the game, but for life. These values do not only apply to youth rugby, they also apply to professional rugby and any other levels of the game. Values do not only apply to the players; it also includes coaches, referees and sometimes the crowd watching the game. Teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship are fundamentals that define the game we call rugby, but also translate to being a better person.
The five values are defined as follows. Teamwork is ​the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient. Respect is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important, or held in high esteem or regard. Enjoyment is the state or process of taking pleasure in something. Discipline is ​the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior and using punishment to correct disobedience. Sportsmanship is ​fair and generous behavior or treatment of others, especially in a sports contest. As a leader, it is even more important to have functioning knowledge of the values and the way they reflect actions on and off the field. Where these values serve as guidelines for the game, it is up to leaders, coaches, players, and all involved to accurately portray these pillars through the way they play the game and the way they conduct themselves.
That being said, many athletes struggle with keeping composure throughout sport matches because of the passion they play the game with and the love for their sport. Many people lose their cool and succumb to anger and frustration. Regardless of the sport or task at hand, composure is a universally important aspect of life. I believe the only way to truly show respect to the other team and to the game is playing your hardest. Peak performance occurs under pressure and competition. To give anything but your best and hardest at all times is disrespectful to the opponent. The physicality and aggression of the came must come with the balance of sportsmanship and respect. This balance manifests itself in adherence to the rules of the game. Competing fairly shows sportsmanship. Competing your hardest shows respect. There is no competition without sportsmanship and respect.
The core values are applicable to real world situations. Respect, discipline, and enjoyment are most easily applicable in the real world. These values are good for life because they show people how to properly conduct themselves. Respect is important because everyone wants to be respected and you should treat others how you would like to be treated. Discipline is important in life because if a person had no discipline they would never accomplish anything in life and they would most likely not enjoy their life without accomplishments. Enjoyment is also largely important because without enjoyment there would be no reason for humans to be given the gift of life. The values are demonstrably interdependent and intertwined. Rugby can be barbaric, but it is a game played by gentlemen. Without these values rugby wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable as it is now. Playing the game is fun, but real enjoyment occurs after hard competition, shaking hands with the opposing teams, and sitting down sharing a meal. As a club, this is something we have been working on facilitating.
There have been many times at practice and in games that I have displayed the five core values of rugby. For example, I display discipline by showing up to practice early so that I am prepared to start practice with my team. I also display discipline through showing up to games early so that I am prepared to warm up whenever my coaches ask the team to. Much of my success in academics and extracurriculars can be attributed to innate and developed leadership capabilities and discipline. I founded, organized, and led my schools rugby team to a state championship in its first year, individually recruiting every player and coach to participate, and fundraising endlessly to provide jerseys, equipment, fields, referees, and athletic trainers. I coordinated with USA Rugby to ensure every player was documented in the system and appropriately insured, and even used photoshop to design a team logo and uniform that bore the crest of my high school. Being a leader requires discipline, you must often put others before yourself. Prioritizing, organizing, and following through shows discipline. Adhering to the high standards that are set for you shows discipline. Going above and beyond shows excellence.
Outside of rugby I have used leadership to my advantage. As a member of my schools Executive Cabinet, I served as a liaison between the student body and administration in order to promote inclusion, spirit, and overall well being. In the summer of 2018, I volunteered my summer as a Counselor in Training at a summer camp that I had attended for several summers previously. I graduated as the top male CIT in the program and was offered the prestigious and highly selective position of a counselor for the oldest boys in the camp. I assumed this position this summer, employing lots of hard work, people and leadership skills to make each two week session the best weeks of each child's year. I learned that being a leader is less about taking charge and speaking, and more about sitting back and listening. This is teamwork. Teamwork is also vital for all teams to win while playing rugby because no game can be won solely by one individual. Teamwork requires respect for your teammates. Being able to communicate with everyone is something that is difficult because everyone is different. The bottom line is that empathy and kindness most likely do the trick in every situation. The team should be a unit, a body whose priorities trump that of the individual. A well oiled and functional team uses teamwork as the basis for winning. Good teamwork results in comradery. Comradery is something that is earned, not given.
Enjoyment is also very important to the game of rugby because if there was no enjoyment from the game nobody would play it and the core values would mean nothing. While I play rugby I always enjoy my time on the field whether it is 7s or 15s, it is much less enjoyable when I am not competing at my best. Lacking in one of the core values often leads to poor competition. We play rugby because we love it and we love it because it is so fun. For some it is just a game where you smash into each other and try to score. For me it is a way to truly express myself through true mental and physical competition. Rugby taps into emotions I have found difficult to reach in any other sport or activity.
The five core values all are very important to rugby and important and serve as guidelines to which we play the game we love. For rugby to be competitive and fun, we must adhere to the rules in place. Being a leader places extra importance on values, because as a captain and role model, eyes are always watching. I have worked so hard for my school and club, and I will continue my sacrifice until we reach our potential. Embodying the values of rugby will be something I will focus on for the rest of my rugby career and life. Wherever rugby takes me, I will remember the pillars of rugby that have made the game what it is. As players and supporters of the game, it is our responsibility to maintain the chivalry and respect associated with the game we love.
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