Stefan Epp, Sports Master

Throughout the term I have been involved in the sports program at Chimwemwe School, mostly through coaching the netball team. The Senior Teacher and Sports Master (the title given to the person responsible for the sports program) always referred to me as the Sports Master but, in reality, he did most of the job. This involved organizing matches, booking facilities, and generally being the person responsible for the overall program. This arrangement worked well. I helped out where I could but, not being particularly familiar with the duties of a Sports Master and only being at the school three days a week, I could not function full time in the position.

Fate, however, had other ideas for my role in the sports program. The teacher responsible had ended up in hospital with quite a serious stomach problem. Since no one else was involved in the sports program it was up to me to either let it die or keep it going, so I took upon myself the mantle of Sports Master. My initial foray into the world of sports masters went fine. With the help of the director I contacted a school and set up a match for Saturday morning. Then I wrote to the appropriate authorities to book the ground. Things were going good. I was two for two. When I arrived on Saturday morning I was surprised to find that our students had even shown up on time. A remarkable occurrence!

Alas, it was not to be. The other team didn't show up. A bitter end to a promising beginning. I will see next week if I attempt it again. I might be limited by our sports infrastructure - the football is now completely dead and there is no money for a replacement or to pay the grounds fees for that matter (so if I do organize a game, I foot the bill). At the same time, I am really keen to get our kids at least one more game. After all, the girls netball team has practised all term three times a week to play two games and one football match. The boys football team has only played three times as well. I think that I probably care more about this than the kids do. After all, as long as they are having fun at practise, that's the important part. Maybe I will use my mighty sports master powers to focus on intramural sports instead - that way more kids can play at less cost to myself and the school. Sounds like a win-win situation.