It’s just game
Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 08:03PM Conrad Smith tells Amanda Hanan not to worry about the World Cup.
As a ten-year-old, All Black centre and golden son of Taranaki, Conrad Smith dreaded the bus ride home from primary school because of the girls, and it wasn't because they fancied him either.
They liked to tease him and they did it all the way home. Smith had had enough of “the annoying girls” and couldn't wait to get to New Plymouth's Francis Douglas Memorial College, which started at Form 1 (year 7) and more importantly was a single sex school.
Smith thrived in the all-boy environment. “The school had a lasting impression on me. The students felt valued by the teachers – they were interested in us and were there to help us as much as possible.
Challenge yourself
“Sport was important but it wasn't the be all and end all like at other schools. I wasn't identified as just a sportsman. They [Francis Douglas] don't hold back guys to play in the first 15.
“You were expected to perform as best you could and this has lasted with me. No matter how far rugby was going to get me, rugby was just a game. You need to challenge yourself outside [of rugby].”
Lindsay McMorran, Conrad Smith's favourite teacher, was actually anti-rugby. “Mr McMorran was anti-sport and spent his Saturdays having a good read of the paper and not on a sports field.
“He was always knocking sport, especially rugby. He did it to stir the boys up and get us engaged in a good argument.” Smith found him intelligent, witty and committed. “He taught us that there is more to life than sport.”
Enjoy the cup
School was important in the Smith household. His parents encouraged him and his brothers to do their best. His older brothers worked hard and he followed suit. “I remember getting home and doing homework straight away so I could get it out of the way and get outside and throw a ball round. You can't fit it all in unless you're organised”.
He was encouraged by his parents to have a go at everything and he remembers at school it was non-stop activities. He was a keen member of the school debating team, he tread the boards on a few occasions, and of course participated in a wide variety of sports.
“When you take all that on you recognise how much you can achieve. Some people say ‘oh no I’m so busy’ but when you just do it you can achieve a lot more than you realise.”
Smith carried this “just do it” philosophy through to university and graduated with a law degree. “I wasn't one to skip lectures. I always enjoyed whatever experiences I have and don't take myself too seriously – you usually end up on the right path that way.” When rugby permits, he works as a solicitor at a Wellington law firm.
As for the Rugby World Cup, Smith says we shouldn’t worry too much. The All Blacks and their coaches will be doing enough worrying for everyone. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and New Zealanders should just enjoy it.
Reader Comments (1)
The importance of sports in the life of a young student is invaluable and goes much further than the basic answer that "it keeps kids off the streets." It does in fact keep kids off the streets, but it also instills lessons that are essential in the life of a student athlete. Sports play a pivotal role in the makeup of a young athlete, especially in the middle school to high school years where student athletes are much more mature and mentally developed.