Written by It has often been said that the family that plays together, stays together.
A determinant of sporting participation in youth is the sporting culture that runs through the family. The propensity to play sport is greatly increased when this culture of active involvement exists at home and the child has grown into that environment. This family set of beliefs and behaviors, or habituses, set the culture.
A good example of this healthy family sporting culture is the Mercer family in Queensland, Australia. Jordan Mercer is an ‘Ironwoman’, that is, in her early twenties she won the grueling Ironwoman series title that she competed in since she was 16. Not only that, but she is also a six-time winner of the 55km Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, that she first won at the tender age of 12. Jordan follows in the trail blazed by her famous father Darren, who was a pioneer in the early years of professional Ironman racing, and her uncle, the late Dean Mercer, who won the national Ironman title at 19 and would go on over the following decades to carve out a career as one of the top lifesaving athletes.
In 2017, following a year of injury and just a week after the passing of her uncle Dean Mercer, the family-oriented Jordan was triumphant in her quest to secure victory in the women’s paddleboard championships in Copenhagen.
“I just had to win, not just for me but for my family.” “They are going through a tough time and deserve this happiness and joy in their lives right now.”
“Thank you for being with me Uncle Dean. I hope I made you proud.”
In the 70s and 80s it was the Ella brothers – Mark, his twin Glen, and Gary. The boys reigned on the rugby union field with their sporting brilliance. The brothers are remembered as shaping the game in Australia and entertaining the crowds and inspiring their teammates.
Similarly, Australian Cricket featured the familial prowess of the Waugh twins, Dean and Danny who achieved 18, 956 test runs between them. Cricket was also the chosen sport of the famous Chappell brothers, Ian, Greg, and Trevor who were synonymous with cricket in Australia through the 1970’s and 1980’s.
It is important though to remain focused on the health and fitness, and social aspects of sport. A sporting family can, if not careful, skirt scarily close to becoming obsessively preoccupied with ‘achieving’ as the only goal. It’s important to ensure that the culture in the home is a supportive one that allows for defeat and accepts failure as vital steps in the learning process. When cultivated properly, the sporting family will anchor their children by giving them focus for their energies, as well as character benefits like discipline, self-confidence, the ability to function under pressure and to keep fighting in the face of adversity. The life skills like; responsibility, time management, leadership, and teamwork, coupled with the ability to establish friendships and participate in the comradery will help them throughout their lives in all their ventures.
Jordan Mercer’s world title brings joy to grieving family | Gold Coast Bulletin
Jordan Mercer – Ironwoman In The Making (ironmumkarla.com.au)
Mercer claims sixth straight Molokai 2 Oahu title (redbull.com)