*What determines an effective sport role model beyond the ability to succeed in sport? WAIS Psychologist Matthew Burgin provides his view, inspired by a West Australian feature on Australian Diamond and West Coast Fever goal shooter Caitlin Bassett, in her attempts to combat school bullying.
The 2014 AFL season is fast approaching. You can tell because the registrations for the local NAB Auskick are in full swing. In announcing his retirement from the role of AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou has been widely applauded for his vision and ability to grow the “game”. In addition to good marketing, TV rights and quality sports administration, the AFL relies heavily on the value of its product – the players.
Which is why at some point in the season, typically when a player is found to be in breach of a code, the conversation will turn to role models in sport.
The argument that players are or are not role models is a moot one. By virtue of the status of the AFL in our culture the individuals within the game (i.e. the players) carry a level of responsibility. The majority of players approach this aspect of their career with the same professionalism as their training and performance.
But what does it mean to be a role model?
Kick straight, sportsmanship, toughness, fairness, keep yourself together at the Brownlow, the list of features that make a role model depend on who you ask.
My answer…
Caitlin Basset.
Caitlin has achieved many accolades in her career including World Champion in 2011. She could be considered a positive role model because of her loyalty to her team (West Coast Fever). Caitlin could be a positive role model for the persistence and hard work required to turn talent into world-class performances. However, the aspect of Caitlin which suggests she is an outstanding role model can be found in the following West Australian article.
Role models who have the potential to inspire are not always “perfect”. In the article, Caitlin bravely acknowledges her past self-doubts and her experience of searching to “fit in”. Although the experience is unique to Caitlin, the struggle she describes is universal. Many teenagers, male and female, will strive to fit in. And while many will attempt to fit in, some will experience the harshness of bullying. Indeed much of the behaviour around bullying is a by-product of individuals in groups attempting to create social status (safety) and hierarchy.
By providing a glimpse into her life-journey, Caitlin moves beyond the typical positive sport role model. She becomes real. It takes courage to score the winning goal in the World Championship final, to perform at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games against the best athletes in your sport. It takes even greater courage to be open about personal features that are not so “perfect”.
Congratulations and thank you Caitlin. You will inspire many males and females who will experience their own journey through the challenges of adolescence.
– Matt Burgin
