Pony-tail-swinging GA
There is only one thing I like about Winter, and that is netball.
Now, you’re probably thinking “Rose, this blog isn’t about sport. What are you on about?” but the thing is, sport and the arts are like siblings- they might seem different, but they have a lot more in common than you might initially suspect.
Growing up, my sister and I danced- the most logical combination of the arts and sport for the hyperactive, athletic sister (Grace, now a successful gym-owner) and the weird, shy, little, artsy sister (me). Dancing was great at times, it felt expressive and challenging and beautiful; but it could also feel toxic and judgemental and harsh. I stopped dancing once my sister left home.
I did not, however, stop playing sport altogether.
For the last 18 (or possibly 19) Winters, I have played netball. I’ve played in teams that have been second in the state and I’ve been 18yrs old being beaten my 12yr olds. I’ve played in New Zealand and I’ve played all across NSW. I’ve cried on court and I’ve missed the start of a game because I couldn’t get my trackies off in time and I’ve witnessed far more ACL injuries than I think is normal. I’ve played in sleet and snow and I’ve gotten heat stroke on GF weekend at Glen Willow.
The reason I’m writing about this, is that sport is nothing if it isn’t storytelling.
The glory of the game is in the narrative. It’s in the underdog winnings and comeback seasons and character arcs. The crescendos of commentary, the cacophony of crowds. Villains and heroes, tragedies and triumphs. It’s art. There’s a reason we look to it for entertainment, the same way we do with all art forms.
We seem to be fed this dichotomy of either being sporty or being creative- never both. Most of my arty friends don’t exercise and most of my fit friends don’t make art. It tends to surprise people when I say I love both. Sport enhances my creativity and my creativity enhances my sporting ability. Now, I’m not saying that I’m singing on court like Troy Bolton, or playing piano with Phoebe Litchfield, but both sport and art are integral to my wellbeing, helping me to be the best human, and artist, that I can be.
I guess, my point is, art and sport are complimentary, just like two sisters with very different skill sets who still love each other heaps. Both are very good.
They may seem different, but it’s all just stories at the end of the day.
xx Rose
