One thing that has been prominent for me this week is the number of young sports starlets who are putting Benoni on the map through their sporting accomplishments and whose information is clogging up my email inbox (not that that’s a bad thing!).
You often hear about the young people of Generation Z, people born after ’95, who spend their days indoors pushing Playstation buttons and swiping iPads rather than enjoying an active lifestyle playing sport outside.
That was what I initially thought, until I came across these young people who are not just playing sport, but also putting their own unique stamp on their sporting codes.
Much has been written about some of these sportspeople while others are gradually making their way onto the pages of the Benoni City Times and even into national exposure.
The thing is: The youngsters of this new generation may be completely technologically competent (and perhaps that’s scary to some of the more mature folk among us), but they are also bringing new, modern and distinctive styles to sports that have been deeply entrenched in old-time traditions.
They have unlimited opportunity to see the world, train with experienced and accomplished professional athletes and compete against their peers from every corner of the globe.
This is extremely promising for the future.
Our youngsters learn and develop into top-class athletes and (hopefully) bring back these immeasurable sporting skills and knowledge to our people.
They will also bring an untapped creativity to this ever-changing digital world.
I believe that the only reason that the majority of kiddies of Generation Z get sucked into this world of computer games, smart phones and flat screen TVs is that their parents don’t do enough to get them playing sport and keeping active.
I’m not saying that kids shouldn’t be exposed to and become competent with technology.
Not at all.
A mix of technological capability and an active lifestyle will stand them in good stride in a world where technology, sport and business piggyback off each other.
While you are out at the mall spending money on one or two fancy electronic devices for your child, also consider purchasing a soccer/rugby ball, golf clubs, ballet shoes, swimming goggles, cricket bat, hockey stick, driving simulator etc, etc.
It doesn’t matter – give children as many outlets as possible to express themselves and you’ll be left astounded as to what they can do and what hidden talents can be uncovered.
When I cover an event where over 600 children are playing a sport on a Saturday morning, it gives me hope.
That is what is needed.
With the right opportunities and the correct guidance a young athlete can rise to the pinnacle of success.
Not everybody is going to become a pro athlete, but the life lessons that are taught through sport and the people that are met along the way can help lead to a brighter future.
Combine an active sporty lifestyle with digital know-how and you’re well on your way to building an individual that can handle the fast-paced, ever-changing world of this 21st Century.
Sport and technology can work hand-in-hand if a balance between the two can be found.
There’s still hope for Generation Z!
LG
Follow Logan Green on Twitter @logankgreen
