Throughout elementary and high school, PE was always my favourite class!! However, the frustrations that came along with this class were endless. Even though I loved PE, I would never have said that I was better than average in any of the sports we played. I was often picked last for teams, and despite the enjoyment I got from PE, and my strong willingness to participate in every activity, I often received C’s, and even a C- at some point. This was extremely disappointing to me and made me feel that I shouldn’t have even bothered to try. Not being recognized for making an effort and bullies made PE less and less enjoyable for myself. It is only in the last five years that I can begun to enjoy physical activity once again as I realize that even though I’m not especially great at certain sports, I enjoy these activities!

For this movement journal I decided to ask my boyfriend what his experiences were in elementary PE. He also experienced bullying, but he said that this was specific to playing basketball or soccer, specifically relating to when he couldn’t score a goal.  I asked him if he was ever picked last for a sport and he recounted one time when he was picked second-to-last when they were picking teams for handball. What is interesting is how this resonates with youth. Such a small act as being picked second-to-last in handball is remembered in adulthood, twenty years after the experience occurred. This is why we, as teacher candidates, need to make a different to children’s lives by not emphasizing competitive sports, but instead, supporting a active and fun environment, where the importance of teamwork is the focal point.