New blood. New ideas. New ways.
INTRODUCTION
I’m so proud of my son Jack creating ‘More Than A Game’. The story here is a personal one. But it’s a great insight into how good ideas happen. Of how ideas work well.
It’s fascinating to see what can be done and how quickly things can be done with a young, curious, unencumbered and flexible mind, (and I’m not talking mine!). It’s amazing ‘nowadays’ how new ideas (especially digital ones) can be developed using amazing technology and platforms that are readily available to us all. And a final point for you before diving in, there’s also inspiration here about how being open, asking for help & advice and collaboration improves an initiative significantly.
A DEVASTATING INJURY
When Jack got injured and missed his Sale Sharks rugby trial he was absolutely devastated.
Over the last year he’d quit football and cut back on cricket to focus on his rugby dream. He took control of his nutrition, put his all into training & matches and started the gym. He'd battled through two other injuries before this. Sport is everything to him.
The injury was very serious, his hamstring snapped clean off the bone. The surgeon said that he'd not done an op like this on someone so young, (Jack was the only one in the kid's hospital ward with a beard!). Thankfully surgery was successful, but 6 months to recover is a long time to be out of something that he loves.
HE BORROWED A FANCY CAMERA
So after surgery he borrowed a fancy camera from his godparents to take photos of his mates playing rugby. And importantly it kept us going to matches and kept Jack 'in the game'.
It wasn’t easy for him to begin with. Not the 'learning photography' bit so much, it was hard for him emotionally, being there yet not being able to play. Desperate to get on the pitch, not wanting to be stuck on the sidelines. Often, that frustration turned to anger and then upset.
However, presenting his mates with a cracking photo of themselves is like giving a special gift to someone. His favourite bit is seeing someone’s reaction and joy when given that gift. The feedback from parents and players has been absolutely lovely.
CAPTURING MEMORABLE IMAGES & STORIES
Just like this story I’m sharing here, sport is not ‘just a game’ for Jack and others who take it seriously. There's a lot more to tell behind the photograph.
That’s what Jack and I decided to do with 'More Than A Game' (aka MTAG)... Capture the stories behind the photos and get under WHY sport is so important to those who do it.
(Also, helping him to improve his writing for his English GCSE which is round the corner, is a bonus too I thought).
Jack and I write the stories together. We bounce ideas around. We discuss and disagree about content and the angle of each story. Draft, chat, edit, redraft, chat, edit, then he publishes. It has to be his. In his voice. Describing his thoughts and what he sees. I love it that whatever I suggest, he always adds something extra to it and makes the story better. He’s dyslexic (so I’m the Grammar Police), which means creative writing flows for him.
Helping him to build this thing has been just wonderful.
BIG THANKS TO SI
My mate Si Painter has helped Jack too; with the name, the branding and the concept. He has been so patient and caring with Jack. Designing something bespoke that ‘is Jack’.
Jack has learnt so much from him. We are so grateful to you Si. You are a lovely, talented man and you are just brilliant to work with.
A CHANGED PERSPECTIVE CHANGES HIS DREAM
Jack’s dream was to go to 6th form Rugby College. But, his injury has been such a shock to him, that it made him realise that becoming a professional athlete is a precarious journey and that dream is a fragile one.
His perspective (and ours as parents) has changed dramatically due to this situation. He’s now going to choose a College to progress options of a future in Sports Media, Sports Photography or Sports Psychology.
These shifts in thinking have been hard for him, a different kind of pain than the physical pain of his injury. But he’s pushed through. He has been inspiring to me.
REAL SUCCESS
Bringing MTAG to life has led to so many great discussions between us. One being about the ‘success’ of this new venture. Jack had a wobble a couple of weeks after going live on Instagram, worrying that this venture 'needs to be a success'. (The number of followers and likes is real to teenagers).
I said to him that this has already been a huge success in my eyes. Because…You’ve had the balls to launch it, plus you’ve learnt new skills. And, it has given you a better perspective and changed your future.
But something happened that same night that illustrated the real measures of success and what this initiative can do. He’d just published a post on Insta about his mate Luca, called ‘Brothers’. The words from a 15 year old about his friendship with Luca were heartfelt and lovely to read. Luca was moved by it and messaged to say that it ‘made his year’. Wonderful. And, soon after that, Luca’s Dad & Mum sent me a video of them in tears. Tears of pride and joy after reading that post, overwhelmed with emotion about the kind words about their son and what a great friend he’s been to Jack. Their video brought tears to my eyes too.
THAT is success I told Jack! When you can give that gift to people that you love and care about, there’s truly nothing greater.
WHAT NEXT?
This has all happened so fast. It’s still very early days. Jack has a hell of a lot to learn as he spends hours taking photos at games and many more hours selecting and editing photos in his bedroom.
Maybe it has served its purpose already? It has given Jack (and myself) so much, I wonder what more it can give?
Jack wants to see if he can earn some pocket money doing this. Watching sport, taking photos of sport, writing about sport and making some cash.
He's got another three months of physio and he's determined to get back to playing rugby at a serious level. That's still his dream. But now, his priorities have changed.
I'm not sure where this is going next. Push on Jack, I'm proud of you son.
Love Dad. x
