Transferring life skills from sport to school
Sorry for my absence in recent weeks but I have been working on some lovely projects. Last month, I had the privilege of working with the Kilbrittain Senior Men’s Hurling Team, who went on to win the Cork Premier Junior Championship. It was my first time working formally with a sports team, despite sport, and particularly GAA, being such a central part of my own life. Watching those young men lift the cup was a proud moment, not just because of the result, but because of what it represented: teamwork, resilience, focus, and respect.
The power of sport to shape wellbeing
Sport has long been one of the most effective vehicles for growth, physically, mentally, and socially. When young people experience sport in a supportive environment, they develop confidence, emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging. They learn to handle setbacks, communicate under pressure, and recognise the value of collective effort.
These benefits extend far beyond the pitch. Research continues to highlight how regular, positive involvement in sport enhances wellbeing, happiness, and healthy lifestyle habits, while also strengthening social connection and focus in the classroom. Findings from the Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine note that when children’s sport focuses on enjoyment and development rather than outcomes, motivation and long-term participation increase.
In short, balance matters. When sport emphasises fun, inclusion, and learning, rather than just winning, young people stay engaged longer and develop the inner confidence to carry those lessons into school, relationships, and life.
What schools can learn from sport
Before founding The Flourishing Man, I spent over a decade teaching — and was honoured to receive the Brighton & Hove P.E. Teacher of the Year Award in 2014. The best physical-education lessons I saw weren’t about drills or data; they were about developing character.
Here are a few ways teachers can bring the best of sport into the classroom:
Start every session with purpose – Just as a coach sets an intention before a match, teachers can open lessons by naming the value or strength they’ll focus on. For example, perseverance, teamwork, or creativity.
Model reflection, not perfection – Post-match reviews work in classrooms too. After a group task, ask: What went well? What could we (emphasis on the we) improve?
Celebrate progress – Recognise effort and teamwork as much as achievement. Research in Frontiers for Young Minds shows that small, frequent recognition boosts intrinsic motivation and emotional resilience.
Create psychologically safe spaces – When students feel safe to make mistakes, they take more creative risks and grow faster a concept reinforced across wellbeing studies.
When sport and education share this language of growth and reflection, students start to see themselves not as “players” or “pupils” but as learners for life.
How parents can support
Parents play a central role in shaping how children experience sport. When the focus is on enjoyment, effort, and connection, sport becomes a source of self-worth rather than stress.
A few simple ways to help:
Ask about the experience, not just the score. Questions like “What did you enjoy most?” build reflection and perspective.
Focus on effort and learning. Recognise attitude, teamwork, and commitment over results.
Encourage rest and balance. Adolescents thrive when sport is part of a rounded lifestyle that includes recovery and social time.
Sport offers one of the most powerful laboratories for character development we have. But it’s up to adults - teachers, coaches, and parents - to guide how those lessons are absorbed and transferred to life beyond the game.
Beyond sport
I fully want to acknowledge that not every student is an athlete. The same principles that make great teams thrive also build thriving classrooms: belonging, communication, accountability, and mutual respect. The University of Limerick emphasises that quality physical education can nurture these life skills for all learners, regardless of ability.
Whether through music, art, coding, or community action, young people need arenas where they can collaborate, take feedback, and grow. Sport just happens to be one of the clearest mirrors for that process.
Closing reflection
Working with the Kilbrittain men reminded me that success isn’t just measured in medals. It’s measured in how players talk to each other, lift one another up, and bring those lessons into their wider lives.
That’s the spirit of The Flourishing Man. To help young people become confident, compassionate, and connected human beings.
