The words of the Teacher (or Preacher, or Philosopher), found in the book of Ecclesiastes 3, written close on three thousand years ago, still apply very much today: “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”. We can all recognise and identify with much, if not all, of that. There is a time.

Interestingly and significantly, the words above also apply very much to sport, and for us in particular school sport. To everything there is a season; there is a time for everything. There is a time to win and a time to lose. There is a time to play and a time to be injured. There is a time to play at home and a time to play away. There is a time to attack and a time to defend. There is a time to train and a time to compete. There is a time to sacrifice and a time to celebrate. We need to make sure there is indeed a time for everything. That is part of the whole curriculum – timing.

The fact is that in geographical terms, there are indeed seasons – we have summer, winter, spring and autumn (or fall), though here in Zimbabwe we tend to view them as either winter or summer. Each has its own characteristics, beauties, benefits and disadvantages. Indeed, the contrast between seasons help us to enjoy them more. As opposites often attract successfully, so opposites help us appreciate each more. In that regard, there are real reasons for seasons.

Sport also has seasons, though increasingly each sport looks for their sport to be played all through the year, no matter the weather season. Traditionally, cricket is a summer sport, for the simple reason that there is (allegedly) less rain – yet here in Zimbabwe our summer, when cricket is played, is when there is more chance of rain. Other sports can be played in rain, like rugby and soccer, but we play such sports here in Zimbabwe when there tends to be no rain! And then here in Zimbabwe we play Indoor Hockey (which was introduced in countries where snow and rain make outdoor hockey played on grass less possible) outdoor (not indoor) when we could be playing outdoor!

There are many examples of people who have succeeded at the highest level in different sports in different seasons. In the old days, people could do it more easily because we kept to seasons. Jeff Wilson played rugby and cricket for New Zealand; more recently Ellyse Perry played cricket and soccer for Australia. Here in Zimbabwe Craig Evans played rugby and cricket for Zimbabwe. Sir Steve Redgrave won gold medals at 5 successive Olympic games in rowing, and also represented Great Britain in the bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics. Now though that is becoming increasingly difficult.

So there are reasons (not always logical or sensible ones) for the seasons we play sport but there are also reasons why we should continue to ensure that we have different seasons and the different respective sports, especially with our schoolchildren. Different sports in different seasons helps to make sport fun and keeps the interest in each alive. It helps to avoid overuse of the same muscles while keeping the individuals fit and healthy. Understanding of skills and tactics in one sport can be beneficial in being applied to other sports. Different sports in different seasons helps keep youngsters humble and active. Rugby players often play a bit of basketball for fun; cricketers often play volleyball or soccer for fun, relaxation and exercise. There is a time for different sports.

Laurence Olivier, the famous actor, once declared: “Have a very good reason for everything you do.” There are very good reasons for seasons; we should keep to them. Each season brings its own unique energy, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The financier J. P. Morgan is attributed with the statement that “A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason”. We may well come up with what we claim are good reasons to ignore seasons but we need the real reason being that we need seasons. It is not treason to say so. Now is the time for seasons.