The success of failure: What sport can teach us about education and life

Recently, the authors reflected on an Australian news report in which the reporter made three references to a national sporting team ‘failing.’ Details about the opposition, where the match was played, or the athletes displaying sportspersonship were secondary. The key message was that Australia did not win; thus, it must be a sign of ‘failure’. Education about the definition of ‘failure’ or its impact on the team was overlooked.

We considered how this media message is potentially perceived by children, school students, educators, parents, coaches, and Australian society. What does ‘failure’ mean in an educational context, and what life skills can be learned from it?