DEDICATION
5.1 Introduction
5.2.2 Self-efficacy
When it comes to playing their sport, the learners’ personalities are very different to their general characters. They are very much in the self-zone and nothing can come between this inner self and their sport. This sporting personality is in keeping with what is required to be the best and able to beat the opposition at whatever cost. The learners are driven and focused on their sport. They believe in themselves and play their sport with complete commitment and dedication.
The road to success is embedded in the notion of the self. What you think about yourself, your confidence in your ability and dependence on yourself are the foundations of your accomplishments. Life is tough, and to get through the toughness you must have faith in yourself: the only person you are relying on is yourself (No1).
At Nonthando’s school many learners depend on their parents. She feels that they have to start relying on themselves because life can change so easily, and if they do not
127 depend on anyone they will survive. When the odds are stacked against her she takes charge, and if she wants to achieve she has to make it possible by doing whatever she has to do by herself: I must do something myself (No3). Sekani has the same ideology, for in pursuit of his dream it is hard work that pays off. Having made a huge change from a rural area to a former white school, he has had to work extra hard to fit into a demanding school (you just have to work, work and work (Se1)).
The learners’ perceptions about their ability are a strong indicator as to how they ready themselves mentally to play competitively. Having this mental edge - you got to think and know that you are the best player on the field (Ja5) - is what ensures Jarrett’s success on the sports field. Chayton is also in charge on the sports field (I take control at the crease (C1)), and it is this mind-set that keeps him focused on his game of cricket. Yamka changes from being a fun-loving individual into someone who is aggressive on court (Y1). This sporting personality is essential for her to create a fearless impression of herself to the opponents. She also wants to be superlative (I hate knowing that I have not given my best (Y7)) as she detests being second best, and this motivates her to excel in sport.
Brendon is dedicated to playing soccer in the hope of becoming a professional player; I am committed to my soccer (B2). He is, however, facing many challenges, the main challenge one being that he is a white boy trying to make his mark in the black dominated sport of soccer. However, he shows guts and determination to succeed (nothing can stop me from playing soccer (B7)), and to achieve his goal. He is one of the few white soccer players who play club soccer in the township.
The learners spend hours training, demonstrating their commitment and dedication to their sport. Most of Chayton’s time is spent on the sports field; as a result he says I do not have a lot of spare time (C8). He makes tremendous sacrifices in order to achieve.
Another mental strategy that the learners employ is to be resolute on the sports field.
Jarrett is decisive in his playing (I am focused (Ja1)), and to ensure this mental state he has to be prepared to avoid distractions: I sleep early and everything is organised before the match day (Ja8). To be the best also requires hours of training, and Samiya
128 has silenced her critics who told her it would take years for her to make the team, by doing just that: I train and I use it to mould me and make me play better (Sa4). She puts all her energy into her training session because she is of the view that what she puts into her training will result in a good performance during competition. She has received many accolades as a result of her conviction.
Being involved in sport contributes to the learners’ self-worth. For Theola sport is more than playing for the provincial team, it is a means of overcoming her poor socio- economic status and doing what is right. She sees sport as an emotional stabiliser (I am in sport and I like sport (The4)) that adds meaning to her life amidst the poverty, violence and drugs that surround her. Similarly, Drea attributes her emotional and physical stability to her playing sport - hockey has been a great help emotionally and physically (Dr2). Her engagement in sport has kept her grounded in a period of emotional upheaval and being focused on her sport contributed to her excellent achievements as a goalkeeper in hockey.
The learners are also driven to do everything in their power to meet the demands of their sporting obligations. Attending training sessions is of paramount importance and not to be missed as this will jeopardise the learner’s place in the team. For Nonthando transport is a huge problem, given her socio-economic background. In order to make the training sessions she uses of public transport and travels by train (an unsafe mode of transport, especially for girls). She, however, is quite confident in her ability to take care of herself and has no fear of travelling by train: I am a pretty strong girl. I do not care.
I am not scared (No10).
At a very young age Chayton knew that he wanted to play cricket for his country when I was five years old I told my dad I want to play cricket for SA (C2). This kind of belief in himself has driven him to achieve in this sport. Pillay (2010a, p. 81) states that the greatest sadness one can burden oneself with is the vulgarity of mediocrity, for mediocrity is an unnatural and untenable condition, “to be mediocre is to deny the essence of the greatest offerings of which you are capable and to collude with the masses that tend to identify with the social ideal of ‘normal’”.
129 5.2.3 Physique
A sportsperson’s physique determines the suitability of the sport he or she plays. Just being short, tall, well-built or stocky can determine one’s level of excellence. The learners are conscious of their stature and they use it most effectively to their advantage.
Yamka knows that her physique lends itself well to her position as a goal defence in netball (I am tall and well built (Y14)). A netball player who is tall is ideally suited for this position, and Yamka is known to have the best stretch for that position in KZN.
Gymnastics is a very demanding sport, and Jemma began life as a premature and sickly baby: when I was young I was very sick (Je2). She also suffered from asthma, but despite this she has become one of the best gymnasts in the country. She believes that my body is made for sport (Je1), as she can make her body do whatever she wants it to do. She finds being a gymnast easy compared to the work at school.