Thought For The Day – Wednesday 2nd July 2025
The Spirit of The Game
In the first and second pictures above, as the rest of his team celebrated, Andrew Flintoff, of England, consoled Brett Lee, of Australia, after England won the very close second test match of 2005 in Birmingham, the second in an historic and iconic series of matches. This became a wonderful photograph depicting sportspersonship. Not for the first time, and still today, Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff’s first thought was for others. The first piece of art, above, is called “Spirit of the Game” and is by former England cricketer Jack Russell. The second piece of art, above, is by Jamie Tweddell. The third piece of art, above, is by Dominic Hinchliffe.
***
There are higher things in life than the result of a game.
There are values, respect and how people, and the environment, are treated.
The values are the outcomes.
The outcomes are the values.
Character, and kindness, doing and giving our very best, looking after others and ourselves, is everything.
Today, the Senior Cricket Team of T.B.S.H.S. play M.C.C., the Marylebone Cricket Club, at Jobbers Wood.
M.C.C. is the oldest and most active cricket club in the world.
T.B.S.H.S. owns Jobbers Wood, a unique and wonderful school facility. M.C.C. owns Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, known as “The Home of Cricket”.
M.C.C. is the guardian of the laws of the game.
M.C.C. has significant global influence in cricket, with a mission to spread “The Spirit of the Game of Cricket”.
M.C.C. will be captained by Simon McConnell, pictured below, an outstanding former student of T.B.S.H.S.. Simon was particularly brilliant as a cricket captain from Year 7 to the Sixth Form. Simon was an analytical, enthusiastic and inclusive leader, who was compassionate, good-humoured, humble, resilient, values-driven and wise. At the crease and in the field, before the game and after, he led by example. Simon was an outstanding communicator and motivator.
Thank you, as always, to Mr. Hale, the Physical Education Department and Mr. Trigg.
