State Youth Games

What is SYG?

State Youth Games is an action-packed weekend of sports and activities for young people. It is organised by Youth Vision Victoria – the youth ministry arm of Churches of Christ in Victoria. Youth Groups from all over the State come together to participate in a wide range of team and individual sports and other social activities.

What’s it’s purpose?

State Youth Games aims to bring young people together in a community of fun and involvement where they can enjoy sporting pursuits in a Christian context. State Youth Games assists the local church youth groups to reach out to young people in their communities and involve them in an activity which is non-threatening, fun, relevant, energetic and challenging.

Where and when is it held?

State Youth Games is held each year over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in the Warragul district, about an hour east of Melbourne (Australia). The base camp is located at Lardner Park and activities take place in Warragul, Drouin, Neerim South and Lardner Park.

Want to join Living Faith Church at SYG10?

For more information about State Youth Games contact:
Ken Collyer
Youth & Young Adults Ministry Worker
E ken.collyer@livingfaithchurch.org.au
T 9439 9348

Look out for our team in this great shirt!

SYG 2010: June 11-14

Details of this year’s event to come…

Spirit

At State Youth Games we place a great deal of emphasis on playing with good spirit and sportsmanship.

How to play with good Spirit

1) Respect. Spirited games result from mutual respect among opponents. Consider the other team as part of your SYG community, not as an opponent to beat. Without them you wouldn’t be able to play.
2) Take time to learn the rules. Many sports will have a set of rules available at the fields, with some rules posted on the SYG website prior to SYG. It can be frustrating when others are unaware of the rules and un-willing to learn them. So take the time to read them if you are unfamiliar with the sport.
3) Control. Playing with Spirit takes real effort. Spirit is not just some abstract principle that everyone adopts and then games run smoothly without effort. Close calls are made in tight games. Playing with Spirit is about how you handle yourself under pressure.
4) Introduce yourself. If you are playing on someone you don’t know, give them a handshake and let them know your name. Instantly you’ve built a relationship with your opponent, making the game friendlier.
5) Spirit is compatible with “Finals” games. Just because the game is important, doesn’t mean some aspect of Spirit can be cast aside. Many teams have shown that you can bring all your competitive and athletic passion to a game without sacrificing fair play or respect for your opponent.
6) Don’t “give as you got.” There is no “eye for an eye.” If you are wronged, you have no right to wrong someone in return. In the extreme case where you were severely mistreated, you may bring the issue up with the opposing captain, Sport Coordinator, or SYG Sports Director.
7) Breathe. In the heat of competition, emotions can run high. After a hard foul, close call, or questionable decision, take a step back, pause, and take a deep breath.
When you do the right thing, people notice. When you turn the other cheek, you know you’ve done the right thing. You may not hear praise, there may be no standing ovation, but people do notice. Eventually, their respect for you and their appreciation for the Spirit of SYG will grow.
9) Be generous with praise. Compliment an opponent on her good play. Remark to a teammate that you admire his honesty in calling himself out-of-bounds. Look players in the eye and congratulate them when you shake their hands after a game. These small acts boost spirit greatly. They bring a large payoff for little time and effort.
10) Have fun. All other things being equal, games are far more fun with good Spirit. Go hard. Play fair. Have fun.