I got to attend a conference on ethics in sport last Saturday. The broadcaster and musician Tom Dunne was one of the speakers. He spoke about his addiction to following Manchester United! What has this got to do with ethics in sport? In truth not a lot, the only thing is, it could have been a very informative day (it was) and yet a very heavy, full on day (it wasn’t) if it weren’t for speakers like Tom and the others who spoke on the day. They all brought great common sense and lots of humour to the topics that they were presenting on.
Addiction, winning at all costs, what price success and is participation enough if you or your team are not winning, being addicted to either winning or supporting your team were all talked about and discussed on the day.
There were lots of debates, much agreement and even more disagreements – the entire hall marks of a great conference and thanks to Dr John Scally from the Department of Religions and Theology at Trinity College for organising it (and more importantly for the invite to attend of course).
What was for the most part the greatest debate and discussion on the day?
Yes to winning only at what cost? and Yes to being the best that you can be – both on and off the field of play.
With regard to being addicted and are there healthy addictions? For Tom Dunne there is always hope as for being addicted to Manchester United: you make up your own mind.
Now where do you stand with regard to your own addiction as you live out your life? I’m no psychologist only I do know that playing to your strengths is about becoming the best that you can be and sure what’s wrong with that.
