The summer is here – yes really! Although the weather would suggest otherwise, the academic calendar confirms we are heading towards the end of another year. And it is Sports Day season: Little Knellies – Upper I have already enjoyed their big day, with more to come in the final weeks of term, and these occasions will always remind me of my school days.
See, I come from a family of runners. My father and sister were sprinters and won the Peterborough City School Sports Championship every academic year while at school. My dad set record after record, and when recounting these stories to me as a child and into adulthood, he was never boastful. He was the last to champion his achievements or skills and said, ‘Son – I was just quicker than the others – that’s all.’
Little did he know he would need his speed during long periods of his working life. He worked in a department store for 30 years – not a career he had hoped for after being offered a scholarship at Peterborough’s top school, but a career that supported us all as a family. We were immensely proud of him as he led from the front in all he did. And one example was chasing shoplifters. This was because the security team consisted of a chronic asthmatic and someone with a double hip replacement, so my Dad took it upon himself to enforce the law. In his eyes, right was right… and if goods were removed without paying, he would get them back!
So the chase began. Some dropped the goods instantly and apologised, while others decided to test my Dad’s speed and stamina. His most protracted chase was about two miles through the central area of Peterborough, but he never gave up – leaving that to the culprit, who probably thought they would never shake him off. I worked there for a Saturday job, got the bug, and would often join him in a good healthy pursuit of justice… Cambridgeshire’s answer to Batman and Robin.
But I wasn’t as good at running as my family members. Thrice weekly Junior School trials in the summer term for a spot in the City Sports Squad would see me regularly finish fifth in every race. Only four could be picked. That was until Year 5 when I unexpectedly won the opening race of the season. Daniel Fitzjohn, the fastest boy in my year, wasn’t looking at Mrs Stokoe, who started the race with the customary dropping off her flag. I set off… in front. 50 metres in, I was still first. Where is Daniel I thought? 20 metres to go… I was still first, and I couldn’t hear them behind me. I crossed the finish line first, and I felt like Alan Wells!
I won race after race by more significant margins and, sometimes, not even running at full pace. But the summer ended badly. Mrs Stokoe decided to pick the usual suspects for the squad – leaving me in pieces. But there was one way I could show her she was wrong – Sports Day! Proudly running for my house (Pluto), I lined up at the start with determination running through my soul. The gun fired, we were off…and I flew into a big lead. This was mine…what could go wrong? Pretty much everything from there as it happens.
20 metres out and I stumbled, and although I just about kept my balance, I lost momentum and the lead. I finished third. And yes, I did cry.
You would think that was the worst bit, right? Not quite. The Deputy Head, and a family friend of my Dad, decided to bring his new flash camcorder into school that day and record the whole damn thing. So the following day, in assembly, I had to relive my pain – in front of the entire school. My stumble was met with hysterical laughter from students and staff! That was a tough Friday!
Although I retired shortly after from top-flight athletics, the experience taught me much. Things will not always go your way. Life is not straightforward. And there are stumbles ahead when you least expect them.
But that’s ok because we all face them. Every one of us. And from failure comes success. My success was realising I was not my Dad. His footprints were too big for me to fill. My belief from an early age was that we are all good at something. And I found my something. Cricket. I was ok, and I broke records too – just like my hero did with his running.
So whether participating in upcoming sports days physically or metaphorically: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. We learn more from defeat than victory.
Never give up.
Pete Holliday, Director of Marketing, Admissions and Development