Senior School

Learning Through Commitment: A Reflection on Resilience in Sport

I recently read an article that resonated deeply with the experiences many students face in competitive sport. In What My Parents Made Me Do When I Wanted to Quit the Team, author Emma Bireline shares a thoughtful reflection on resilience, maturity and the importance of honest conversations.

As a high school student, Emma found herself discouraged by limited court time and began to doubt her place on the basketball team. Frustrated, she came home ready to quit.

Rather than allowing her to give up in the moment, Emma’s parents responded with calm and considered guidance. They told her the decision was hers — but only after she had a direct conversation with her coach to better understand her role, performance and what was required to improve. It wasn’t about pushing her to stay, but about ensuring any decision was made with clarity and accountability.

That conversation turned out to be a turning point. Emma was told she had potential, but there was more to learn and contribute. Encouraged to train harder, embrace teamwork and grow as a leader, Emma committed to the challenge. Over time, she developed and improved and eventually became a captain and a pivotal member of the team.

What Can We Learn from This?

At Westminster School, we see sport as more than just physical performance — it’s a vital space for learning life skills. Emma’s story offers several valuable insights:

1. Help Children Reflect, Not React When a child faces disappointment — be it limited play time, a team loss or a challenging coach — the instinct to step in and fix the problem is natural. But growth often comes from staying in the struggle just a little longer. Guiding a child to reflect, seek feedback and understand the full picture helps them develop maturity and resilience.
2. Promote Accountability, Not Excuses Emma’s parents didn’t call the coach or make excuses. They empowered her to own the experience, ask the hard questions and face the answers. In doing so, they showed deep belief in her capacity to handle difficult conversations — an invaluable lesson for any young person.
3. Value the Long Game The journey through sport can include high points and hard seasons. Encouraging children to commit through challenges often leads to stronger self-belief, deeper skills and a sense of purpose. Emma’s eventual success wasn’t just about basketball — it was about the character she built along the way.
4. Support Without Overstepping Parents play a vital role as encouragers and sounding boards. By listening without immediately intervening, Emma’s parents created space for her to grow on her terms — a balance that supports healthy independence.

For Westminster families, this story is a reminder that perseverance matters. Our co-curricular and sporting programs are designed to nurture leadership, humility and resilience. Just as Emma found, sometimes the most meaningful development happens not in the spotlight, but in the quiet decision to keep going.

Stephen Schwerdt

Head of Activities