At the end of a turbulent year for our nations sporting elite we were reminded of the importance of grass roots sports.
The Queen addressed the nation yesterday, explaining how important sport is for society.
“Apart from developing physical fitness, sport and games can also teach vital social skills.” She said.
The ‘team spirit’ and ‘social skills’ we learn from sports couldn’t have been further from the minds of a nation that has witnessed their most admired sports star scandalise themselves and their sport.
An unfaithful England captain and his merry band of pampered peers crashed out of the World Cup without so much as a whimper.
But the Queen didn’t mention football or even the successful cricket team, nor did she highlight the efforts of an all-British Formula One team or boxing champion David Haye’s achievements.
No, we were reminded of those sports and competitions that involve competitors who live real lives, those that are still members of our society.
It was the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics that she used as examples.
But what the Monarch was really saying is the values we learn in our parks and village greens should not be forgotten.
We should not forget the real benefits of sport whilst we get caught up in multi-billion pound sporting spectacles.
The Queen compared the role of sport in society to that of the bible four hundred years ago.
She was right, sport is our religion and we should beware of worshipping false idols.
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