I have made this speech before.
Not on a single stage. Not all in one place. Not completely in one writing. But I have given it a go in various blogs. I have hinted at it in conference presentations. But being at SportAccord in Québec City this week has allowed my thoughts to ferment even further, and now I am going to liberally pour them out to you today.
The speech itself is quite short. It is only three words. But its impact reaches across economics, health care, marketing, tourism, business, international development and politics. “Play to Win.”
Play to Win is a mantra we should all adopt.
Communities around the world are recognizing the vital importance of attracting events that bring in out-of-town visitors and attract infrastructure legacies. Forget leisure travel, one SportAccord delegate from the tourism sector told me. It’s all about festivals and events, with a new priority on sports events.
Countries around the world are realizing that their children are not active enough, sparking a crisis that will endanger us on many levels. Shorter life expectancies, higher health care costs, less productive workforces and other related issues will all result from kids not playing.
Nike proclaimed during their keynote: “If you have a body, you are an athlete.” We need to tell our children that.
Sport can unite a nation. Tuesday, some 4,500 Canadians greeted Jacques Rogge at a luncheon staged by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Four thousand, five hundred! For lunch! I would hypothesize that this sort of mammoth event would not have been achieved before the 2010 Games. Our success there has created an appetite for Canadians, media and businesses to support our heroic athletes.
Sport has its issues. Corruption. Bribery. Espionage. Injuries. Violence. Racism. Accessibility. But for all its problems, the natural fundamentals of “playing” create legacy benefits that will supersede these man-made challenges.
I can prove it. Next time you have a major work issue, a family challenge or a disagreement with someone, go out and play. Run around a soccer pitch, shoot some hoops, do 10 wind sprints, book some ice time. Playing will release the chemicals in your brain that solve the problem, broker peace, provide optimism.
Do the same with a group of squabblers. Pull a coloured pinny over each of their heads, line them up against some volunteer opponent and blow the whistle. Team will triumph over temper. Collaboration will triumph over clashing. Energy will triumph over anger.
Want to energize your brand marketing? Add sports!
Want to bind your community? Create a community sports event!
Want to generate economic development? Host a sports event!
Want to learn about another country? Learn about its sports!
Playing to Win may sound like a battle cry to win at all costs. That’s not the scoreboard I am referring to. The scoreboard I am referring to measures fitness, mental health, social welfare, community pride, wealth creation, media coverage, fandom creation and national pride.
So stop working. It’s Friday. Make it a Playday.