Thought For The Day – Friday 16^th June 2023

Good luck to TBSHS cricketers currently touring Guernsey. 

The historic cricket matches between Australia and England begin today. There will be women’s and men’s matches throughout the summer.

It promises to be an interesting series of matches. Australia are currently the best women’s and men’s cricket team, following their legendary history in “the baggy green caps”,  though the England team, who also have a great history,  have been very successful in shorter one day formats in the last few years. In the last year, an increased fearless, liberating, positive, proactive, but respectful,  approach has brought great success for the England men’s team in test matches (played over a number of days).

In all this, and in life, character and values come first.  The above picture is from an iconic match in 2005, where Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff went over to Australia’s Brett Lee after England had won the tightest of matches, showing true sportspersonship and the values of respect, integrity and kindness.

An inspirational BBC programme from last year, “Field of Dreams”, saw Andrew Flintoff give young people the opportunity to learn about cricket.  Heart and soul was shown, superb opportunities were given, coaching, mentoring, standards and support were shown: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00190pg

Sports enhance health and provide community, inspiration, memory, perspective, stories and values.

They also can point to further, far higher things. 

Today, England players will wear black armbands and all players, staff and spectators  will observe a minute’s silence in honour and respect of the wonderful Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber and Ian Coates who were the very best of people.

Yesterday, in special and moving vigils, attended by packed crowds in Nottingham, the mothers of Barnaby and Grace and the sons of Ian paid further courageous, inspirational and resilient tribute beyond words, speaking so movingly about Barnaby, Grace and Ian, reminding us to cherish moments, hold no hate and to spread love, and thanking people for their support.