The last twenty years has seen an astronomical increase in the standard of the top level of school sport in UK. The increased allocation of resources – time, facilities, specialist coaching, levels of competition – has developed out of all recognition. Top level performance, and victory in an ever increasing number of high profile competitions has become more important. The result is a fierce contest for the services of the best players and the emergence of increasingly demanding programmes of preparation.

This process – the ‘academisation” of school sport – has unquestionably raised the standard of the best performers...

The class 1500m “race”. It has probably happened in most year groups, in most schools, at some time over the last ten weeks. Often on the day when the weather is too inclement to safely attempt field events. To what purpose?

Running nearly four times round an undulating grass track is an unlikely stimulant for a “Road to Damascus” moment to inspire a lifelong love of running. Far more probable is the reinforced conviction that running is a pointlessly painful pursuit – guaranteed to bring humiliation to those at the back.

Most schools have a significant number of...

How important is winning? The answer to this - apparently spurious - question massively influences the success criteria of school sport. If winning is the most important thing, it has implications that are far reaching. It influences how the game is coached, refereed, team selection, substitution, as well as the attitudes of players, coaches and parents to the opposition, the referee, cheating and their respect for the game.

The tone and spirit of school sport has changed significantly in the last twenty years. And not for the better. In the absence of more compelling success criteria, the...