Varsity Spirit’s Post

This is such a helpful article for moving us past the myths that winning more medals inspires the next generation. It's a lovely idea, but the evidence just isn't there. Once we can move beyond that, I think there are two interesting paths to explore: - firstly, could we set up elite sport differently within our society, how and where it's organised, how it's reported on in the media and how we engage with it, that would mean there would be a closer connection to the population? - secondly, and perhaps more importantly (as the first could tempt us simply to indulge further in focusing and investing mainly in medals...), if we know elite sport doesn't have a meaningful impact on increasing participation and inspiring others to get involved in sport, what might we then want and need to do differently across sport and society? These are important questions for leaders in sport, education and our communities to address, research, and find better ways to develop the future of sport #learning #sport #purposeofsport #meaning #society #whatdoessocietyneedfromsport #inspiration #connection #leadership #futureofsport Sam Parfitt Laurence Cassøe Halsted

📺 Athletes becoming walking billboards… for themselves? 🔊 The latest change relating to NIL now allows athletes to engage in NIL activities during practice, lifts… you name it. ⛹️ Essentially saying that athletes are now permitted to promote themselves during team events, etc - as opposed to solely serving as extensions of the school [brand] they play for. 💵 As we continue to grow - we view this as the absolute perfect opportunity for athletes to monetize their most valuable asset(s): ⚾️ their skillset. 📍 All while working toward building a more reputable and well-known brand in their local communities. #VantageSports #PlayItForward

The earth is shaking in the world of extreme and action sports 🏂🎿 ❌ X Games, the leading action sports competition for 30 years, will introduce a new global, team-based format in 2026 called the X Games League (XGL). This format will provide a year-round international competition calendar, with new commercial opportunities to accelerate the overall growth of the X Games. At the core of this development is the objective to secure a sustainable future for X Games athletes and build a global business that will serve fans, investors, and commercial partners. ❄️ At the same time, Shaun White, three-time snowboarding Olympic champion and 13-time (+ two in skateboarding) X Games gold medalist 🥇 , announced the launch of The Snow League, debuting in winter 2025. This professional winter sports league and global competition format for snowboarding and freeskiing aims to provide winter sports athletes with the most straightforward opportunity to support themselves through competition, as well as a path to being crowned world champion. 💡 Both of these interesting developments lean on the insight that most major sports have a league of some kind. They allow fans to follow storylines as they develop from game to game or stop to stop, crowning an overall winner at the end of the season. Sports fans truly identify with that format. We’ve witnessed sports explode in popularity when they’ve been elevated in such a way that fans can follow along, from US major leagues to Formula 1 and WSL, just to name a few. 🤩 It's super interesting to see how this unfolds and what we will see around media rights, distribution plans, commercial opportunities, and fan engagement. As a fan of extreme sports, I’m enthusiastic about the athletic performances and hope to see these events live as well.

To ensure sport and physical activity is inclusive we need to think about every aspect. A huge part of this is what we wear to get active. So often poorly thought-out rules and stereotypes around kit hinder participation. We need to explore the different ways that the kit can impact participation and provide tips on how to ensure the kit can be inclusive. #sport #physicalactivity #inclusive

all I want for Christmas is my free student-athlete #sportsjournalism #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmanagement #sportsbiz #sports #sportsevents #sportsentertainment #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry  #sportsmarketing #sportsfan #business #sportbusiness #sport #sportmanagement

Modern participants require a modern approach to coaching and officiating. Empowering participants with control in their own development journey makes sense! There are definitely opportunities to learn from action sports participants. I see value particularly in peer support - learning together. Great article Eva Ellmer, PhD - thanks for sharing!

Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete, often regarded as the greatest and most influential athlete in track and field history. Owens specialized in sprints and long jumps, achieving international fame at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he made history by winning four gold medals. Check out this article to learn about the life and legacy of Jesse Owens. #jesseowens #trackandfield #athlete #sportsman #sports #olympics #1936berlinolympics #arthinkal #arthinkalmagazine

"Hosting its inaugural edition from August 16th to 21st, 2018, Nirvana proved to be a dynamic amalgamation of traditional sports and e-sports, captivating a substantial audience. In partnership with Dragcon, this multi-day spectacle featured a diverse spectrum of activities, encompassing classic sports such as chess, cricket, and racing, alongside contemporary e-sports like PUBG, Counter-Strike, and Call of Duty. The event experienced a notable surge in mass participation, fostering a strong sense of community among attendees. Key Highlights: - Diversity of Activities: Nirvana showcased a broad range of activities, transcending the boundaries between traditional and e-sports, providing attendees with a holistic and inclusive experience. - Community Building: The event successfully cultivated a vibrant community spirit, fostering connections and shared enthusiasm among participants, promoting the values of teamwork and sportsmanship. - Inclusive Competitions: In addition to conventional sports, Nirvana featured thrilling competitions such as a body-building championship, bike stunts, and various engaging games, promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports and entertainment. - Celebrating E-Sports: With a keen eye on the evolving landscape of e-sports, Nirvana embraced and celebrated the burgeoning trend, offering participants an opportunity to engage with cutting-edge gaming experiences. - Entertainment Extravaganza: The inclusion of an EDM night elevated the overall festive atmosphere, providing students and participants with an unforgettable entertainment experience, further enhancing the appeal of the event. - Budgetary Efficiency: Executed with an estimated budget of 2 lakhs rupees, Nirvana demonstrated effective financial management, ensuring a successful and memorable week-long celebration within defined financial parameters. In retrospect, Nirvana not only celebrated sportsmanship but also exemplified an adaptive approach to the changing dynamics of sports and entertainment. Participants departed with enduring memories from a week-long celebration that seamlessly integrated traditional and contemporary elements, offering a valuable lesson in event curation and community engagement." #throwback #clubtwenty

The term 'multi-skills is typically used to indicate a variety of movement, thinking and communicating skills that are the foundation of different sports or physical activities. Being able to move, communicate and think about what you're doing while playing a certain sport is crucial in PE. #snsdesignthinkers #snsdesignthinking #snsinstitutions

A personal one from me..... Last year I found a new club for my daughter to join. A little, local street dance group. Like any club, we did a little "taster" session just to check it out. From the first session, I was blown away by how inclusive all the girls were of my girl. They got her by the hand put her in the group and taught her all the moves. Aside form the weekly lessons, we have competitions. Fast forward 12 months, we are going to the GDO World Championships! As a recruiter, I see firsthand the importance of qualities like teamwork, resilience, adaptability, and determination—traits that drive success not just in careers, but in life. These are the very same skills that our dancers at DDA Dance Days Academy embody every time they take the stage. Recently, our team achieved something extraordinary. Competing against high-caliber talent, our dancers didn’t just meet the qualifying score for the GDO World Championships in December—they soared past it, earning over 400 points when only 150-300 were needed. But beyond the scores, it’s the camaraderie, sportsmanship, and shared purpose among our students that truly stand out. From our youngest dancers to our most seasoned performers, they lift each other up, push through challenges together, and show the kind of persistence that any recruiter would love to see in future professionals. These young dancers now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent our community on the world stage. The cost per child to attend the finals is approximately £500, which covers travel, accommodation, and entry fees. With the current economic challenges, we want to ensure that every deserving student has the chance to go—regardless of financial barriers. This is where we hope you might be able to help. Supporting this cause isn’t just about backing a dance competition—it’s an investment in developing the next generation of leaders. The very skills these children learn through dance—commitment, discipline, teamwork, communication—are the same skills we look for in the workplace. Their experience of competing on a global stage will help shape them into confident, resilient individuals who are ready to take on any challenge. We’re reaching out to businesses and individuals who share our belief in nurturing talent and promoting community spirit. Whether through a direct donation, sponsorship, or support for one of our upcoming fundraising events, your contribution will go a long way in helping these talented young people achieve their dreams. Please use the following link to share far and wide for those who may be interested in supporting our students and DDA. https://gofund.me/6ff800db  Together, we can turn this opportunity into a reality for our dancers and empower them with experiences and skills that will serve them for life.