From 1908 to 2003, British Cycling had won just a single gold medal at the Olympics, and had never won the Tour de France. They were the laughing stock in world cycling. Manufacturers refused to sell to the team for fear it would hurt sales. Then in comes a man by the name of Dave Brailsford, appointed the team’s new performance director.
What made Dave different to previous coaches was his unrelenting commitment to ‘the aggregation of marginal gains’. The philosophy being that if the team were able to improve, even by one percent, in each facet of riding, those once overlooked areas would add up to success.
The journey? Among many other actions - bike seats were redesigned, fabrics and muscle gels were tested, sensors were applied for biometric feedback, mattresses and pillows were changed, nutritionists brought on board; even a team doctor that took the time to teach the athletes how to properly wash their hands so as to limit the chance of riders catching a cold and missing practise.
The result? By 2008, the British cycling team had won 60% of all available Gold medals at the Beijing Games. In the 2012 London games, seven world records were broken and in that same year they won the Tour de France for the first time and were now the dominant force in world cycling.
The 1 Percenters. So what are the 1 Percenters that silly old Mr Ed has shared with his students over the years? What trivial nonsense have some rolled their eyes at? Perhaps: "Tuck in that shirt!" "Where’s your tie?" "Have you finished the homework?" "Wear your hat!" "Is that packet of chips your breakfast?" "Two lines please!" "Play a defensive shot Luke!" I love sport and I love my job. I love seeing students achieve success in sport and their areas of passion.
For me however (apologies if this upsets anyone), their success will never lie in gold medals or wins. What does success look like at Avondale School? Why would I place an importance on the little things above? Well If my students can respect those marginal gains, maybe they’ll come to listen to some of my others... "Be kind, be respectful, show love, and have empathy." "Have a go and do your best." "Have you prayed today? Picked up your Bible lately?" "Process, not perfection." "Wins and losses come and go. Play because you love the game." "Speak kindly - your next words could change a life."
I believe the little things matter, that habits yield long-term results. Our students are going to be world builders - world changers, even. What, or rather Whom, is their foundation built upon?
"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities." Luke 16:10 NLT
Mr Johnny Edwards
Primary Sport Coordinator
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