[bri]

playing sport is an integral part of my life. When I was young it was pretty much driven by competition and I think it worked in both ways. I achieved a dream by being signed by Aston Villa as an apprentice at 16. It was arguably the best and worst year of that period of my life. I wouldnt of got there if I hadn't competed but at the same time it took me a fair few years to get over being let go. The best being the obvious the worst was the very low ebb I reached when i went home after not being offered a new contract.

Traditional sports are generiacally competative but I now think that an early age sport should be taught as one enjoyment and two to knacker them out. The competative edge will always come out at a later stage. Should parents / kids want to explore more competative options like clubs etc then I don't see why not. Although I can't stand the over the top nutter screaming parent types with kids at such an early age. Often they havent a clue whats the best for the kids in the long run and are poorly qualified in the given sport their kids are involved in.

Today at 33 sport is still very important to me but in a different way. I play football for the enjoyment and the laugh with the lads, I try to keep a level of fitness as I understand that being in my 30's its easy to fall into the couch potato lifestyle. The sport I'm invloved with now kitesurfing has pretty much changed my life over the last 18 months.

Overall though I think sport is an integral part of our lives and kids should be given the opportunity to explore a variety of sports, a healthy body a healthy mind.

It can provide major learning curves in team work, individual endeavour, discipline, fair play, a sense of achievement and of course learning about how to win and lose with a dignity and respect.

Sport can take you to the top of the world and the bottom as a fan and participant. It isnt just about the traditional sports I have friends who play football, rugby, cricket, golf, who run, play squash, cycle, mountain bike, ski, snowboard, kitesurf, dive, surf, wakeboard, windsurf & ride motorbikes. They don't do it to be the best in the world they do it because it matters to them

Introducing sport into your kids life is one of the most important things you can do, it really is.