I Never Know the Score

Back when I played competitive sport, I would watch friends compete and, afterwards, they would ask what I thought of the game. More often than not, I would offer a few generic comments and hope nobody noticed that I hadn’t really been following the score.

Not much has changed.

Whether I’m at a Toronto Tempo game, an international rugby match, or another high-performance sporting event, I still rarely know the score. Instead, I find myself captivated by the atmosphere. I love people-watching. More specifically, I love watching people watch sport.

It’s because I’m fascinated by the sport environment rather than the result.

As a sport administrator, I’ve come to believe that the score will take care of itself. My role is to help create an environment that is safe, fun, and welcoming. At the grassroots level, I care more about the people than the outcome. Are the players prepared for the game? Is everything okay at home and at school? Are they healthy, supported, and happy?

We place such a strong emphasis on winning that many people are confused when I admit I don’t really care about the score. But the reality is that the score means very little when athletes are struggling, coaches are overwhelmed, or parents are stretched beyond their limits.

For me, success in sport begins with the environment. When athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and families feel safe, valued, and included, they are able to thrive both on and off the field. The scoreboard may tell us who won the game, but it tells us very little about whether sport is truly serving the people who make it possible.

So, How Can We Make the Sport Environment Better?

1. Get to know your players and their families.
   Take the time to understand why athletes participate, what they hope to gain from sport, and what challenges they may be facing. Every player arrives with a unique set of experiences, responsibilities, and pressures. Building relationships helps create a sense of trust and belonging and allows coaches and administrators to better support athletes both on and off the field.

2. Club administrators should attend games—but not to evaluate performance.
   Let coaches coach. Instead, use your time to observe the environment. Are athletes engaged and enjoying themselves? How are coaches communicating? Are parents behaving respectfully? Do officials feel supported? Is the atmosphere welcoming to newcomers? The health of a sport organization is often reflected in the environment surrounding the game, not just the outcome on the scoreboard.

3. Measure success beyond wins and losses.
   Retention, enjoyment, personal growth, skill development, and meaningful relationships are all indicators of a successful sport experience. If athletes are leaving sport because they no longer feel connected, valued, or supported, winning records mean very little.

4. Prioritize psychological safety.
   Athletes should feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, and expressing concerns without fear of embarrassment or punishment. Environments that encourage learning, growth, and open communication are more likely to support long-term participation and development.

5. Support the people who support the athletes.
   Coaches, officials, volunteers, and parents are often balancing significant demands outside of sport. Providing resources, training, appreciation, and opportunities for connection helps prevent burnout and strengthens the overall sport community.

6. Create a culture of belonging.
   Inclusion is important, but belonging goes a step further. Athletes should not simply be welcomed into the environment; they should feel that they are a valued and meaningful part of it. When people feel they belong, they are more likely to stay involved, contribute positively, and thrive.

7. Remember that sport is a human experience.
   The scoreboard is only one small part of the story. Long after athletes forget the final score, they will remember how they were treated, how they felt, and whether the environment helped them grow as people. Building positive sport experiences should be our primary goal; performance and results are often a by-product of getting the environment right.