Why Role Models Matter
“SHE’S OUR CAPTAIN” – A staple chant at Canadian Women’s National Team games for team captain and Canadian footballing legend, Christine Sinclair.
Dearest Internet,
In my line of work I’ve been lucky to work with a number of pro sports brands. I love working with sports because they break the norms most designers and agencies see every day. Most brands you work with can have the best quarter ever, and never will a city shut down Main Street to through you a parade. Fanbases identify with their local team for life. You may have been born into a sports family and by default you are a red or a blue, a Red Sox fan or a Yankee fan, you in your own way identify with the home team and their values. Again… working with sport brands is different.
Why role models are important
If you are like me and played sports as a kid, you will know that amateur sports teach kids a lot of what they will need later in life. Kids learn teamwork, goal setting, time management, respect… you get the point.
Whether kids play on a team, look up to a famous athlete, or both, role models can help children learn about themselves and the world around them. Role models can help children develop their interests and talents. It's important for children to have different role models in their lives, so they can learn about different aspects of life. Yes, parents are the most important role models for their children, but children will also find their own role models which brings up the topic of representation.
Let’s talk about representation
Children should choose role models who make them feel good about themselves and who encourage them to be themselves, but this becomes a challenge if most kids do not have that representation in the content they consume.
The Centre of Scholars & Storytellers conducted a study on the landscape of children’s television in the US and Canada and found the diversity and representation in the most popular IPs for kids lacked in these areas:
35% of popular characters are female
26% of popular characters are non-white
0% of popular characters have a physical disability
Being that Agent For Change
And here’s where I fanboy a bit. I’ve been following Christine Sinclair since forever. She’s from where I’m from, and she helped put the sport I was born into (see previous comments sport family dynamics) on the map here in Canada. Her hat trick versus the US at the 2012 Olympics captured the hearts of a nation. Since we have seen the women’s game elevated here in Canada, but also the men’s team now gaining national attention.
Here goal scoring alone is smart. Not overly flashy. Just smart.
You can easily cut a video like this together featuring her transition play as a passer.
Her leadership outlined in this article gives you an idea on her performance. This quote in particular really sticks out to me:
“She leads by example by having the highest standards in every moment in everything she does.”
Furthermore, there is the way her peers/rivals speak about her too.
As a lifetime soccer player and a member of Canada's Hall of Fame, Christine is not only a role model, but an active supporter of girls and women in sports.
The visibility she has helped bring to the game in this country is highly important as she has used her platform to bring awareness to her charitable causes as well. All of this adds up in the eyes of kids that look up to her.
The Impact of a role model
A role model doesn't have to be someone famous or perfect - it can be a family member, friend, or teacher. A role model just has to be visible.
During my childhood I fell in with recreational groups who targeted kids that needed a place to belong. For whatever reason the parents either weren’t around or lacked time and resources for organized after school activities. Often you’d see kids get into trouble or deal with depression, and so on. I was lucky to have two of amazing coaches/mentors who really made a difference by providing what all us kids were looking for. Guidance, friendship, belonging, work ethic, and learning through play. Much of what I learned in those days have stuck with me since.
Role models matter. Why? Because role models provide a path to follow, a way to learn and grow. They offer hope and inspiration. Whether they are an 185 international goal scorer or a local volunteer. We are inspired by their example.
-E.H.
Bonus Content!
I recommend having a look at this video from 3:06 onward for two reasons:
You can tell a lot about leadership in how your captain responds to a team effort.
Steph Labbe’s comments on supporting women & girls in sport, and what action makes a difference.
