In The Community: International Spirit of the Game Day
Mark your calendars, folks! December 3rd is Spirit of the Game Day, put together by the WFDF Spirit of the Game Committee in coordination with E.R.I.C. The goal of this day is to encourage awareness and growth of one of the main pillars of our sport: Spirit of the Game.
In previous years, the International Spirit of the Game Day inspired players worldwide to participate in purposeful activities promoting Spirit of the Game. By utilizing prizes made specifically for this event by various organizations and companies, there is an incentive to participate!
This year’s theme is all about YOUTH. All you have to do is use the #iSOTGDay on your submissions between November 29th and December 5th and you could win amazing prizes. Submissions can be anything from a poem, to a video, to hosting an amazing event! Use your creativity and win big! More details can be found here and on their Facebook Page!
We asked Henrietta Papp and Travis Smith, members of the Spirit of the Game Subcommittee a few questions about what this day means to them.
Henrietta, what is the importance of this day to you?
In my way of thinking, it’s to bring the SOTG closer to players worldwide. Having this celebration people can express their thoughts about SOTG, and get them to think about it more than usual. Make them proud that the sport they love is not just pure athleticism, competition, etc., but it also cultivates a complex way of behavior that is expected from every player and based on fair-play, manner of speech and the joy of the game.
What does spirit look like off the field?
The values SOTG represent can be utilized in our everyday life as well. For example: during any problematic situation, stay calm, listen and ask the opinion of the others and discuss it without shouting, and be empathic; always enjoy what you are doing, if you can’t, try to solve it; cheer for other people’s success; be a mentor for someone who is less experienced than you.
Moreover, there are at least two big organizations that are based on SOTG and not only Ultimate itself: E.R.I.C. and Ultimate Peace.
What does Spirit of the Game mean to you, Travis?
I've found that the longer I play ultimate, the further off the field SOTG extends. First it goes to pre-and post-game activities, then to the way you interact with your team and your league, and then even wider, to how you interact with others in general.
I find I give people the benefit of the doubt much more often now — I extend trust more easily, and I believe that others are also working in a mutual effort to do the right thing — that discussion, not argumentation, is the way to achieve consensus.
SOTG encourages people to play by the rules, even when there's no referee watching, and that's a pretty universally beneficial way to behave.
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We've got a full collection dedicated to Spirit of the Game, so if you're itching to look awesome while promoting SOTG, visit to our store today!