I'm wondering if we could be sisters, Michelle? I could have written all of this. What horrible experiences teachers put young students through, and seemingly did not care!

I was totally useless at sport, and like you, married a man who excelled.

Early on in our marriage he took up running, as well as squash, and I decided I would do the same., run, that is!

The idea of his being trim, taut, terrific, and impressive, while I gradually gained weight, had no appeal.

So yes, I bought the shoes and all was fabulous...okay, I lie. I couldn't even run downhill, but I didn't give in. I devised a plan that would see short, but positive improvement.

Let me cut to the chase and just say that through sheer determination I was eventually running impressive distances, beating my husband in fun runs (which he loved, by the way), and eventually I ran my very first marathon.

I can tell you, that on that day I would have loved to see my PE teacher, and the people who easily played sport, to be there to see me.

I never looked back.

But let's get back to one thing that as a teacher myself I tried so hard to stamp out, that being two sporting people selecting their sporty mates onto their teams. It didn't matter what I said, the least sporty were always chosen last.

I tried putting the non-sporty students as captains,and what did they do?

I don't think I even have to explain this to you. You know.

Imagine if we could have made things fairer for everyone.

Imagine ...

Michelle fear was why you couldn't catch or pitch a ball.

When you caught the baby who would have otherwise have been badly hurt, there was no time for fear. You did it because you could.

And that fear lives in you, and me, and all other students who were mercilessly giggled at all those years ago.

It never leaves you.

But I wonder...

I wonder if they read your writing and admire your ability with words.

I wonder what they are doing now...sporty once but gone to seed.

Time and tide.

Wonderful article. Thank you for writing it for me.

Thank you for writing this for all the other girls who were sport-shamed all those years ago. 🧡💛💚💜