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Following on from the twin’s school sports day last week, we were nominated for six accolades in The British Hairdressing Business Awards 2021. We'll know in October if we win any of them. These are our industry’s version of the Oscars, and six is more than any other UK salon which I guess shows that a 33 year-old business can still hack it when it has a great team working together.
We hold the record for the most BHBA nominations ever - 56 now, and the most awards - sixteen so far, and the most awards in one year - four, which we’ve achieved three times.
Our first BHBA wins in 2008 were followed by a record four awards which we repeated twice again
But how does that keenness to strive and be recognised sit in this ‘woke’ era of non-competitive sports? It’s a controversial issue. More than a third of UK schools allow no winners and no losers on sports day. It’s easy to steam in with extreme views from the right or left but better I think to hear all opinions for a more balanced outlook. It leaves me with more questions than answers.
Is it not better to give children the chance to learn skills and improve on their own time or score performance, with non-competitive or mildly competitive sports? Some children will simply never be the best runners but could be great at karate, cycling or hiking etc. I like non-competitive or mildly competitive sports where the challenge is more with oneself as one gains new skills. But is it right to deny the less academic their chance to shine on the sports field when everyone is tested competitively for exams?
There is nothing noble in being superior to some other man. The true nobility is in being superior to your previous self. - Anon
Jack and James like to win but even more so, they like to have fun.
Given there is no escape from competition in adult life, should we deny children the opportunity to learn how to win and how to lose graciously? The real world isn’t all group hugs and Kumbaya recitals.
Some sports lend themselves to competition. How much fun is playing football without goal posts or without anybody keeping score? It’s certainly not much fun to watch. Will there be a Euro 2030 tournament or Wimbledon if we stifle the will to win at school?
In business there is no choice. The commercial world is increasingly competitive as markets become more open and transparent. Schools have a role in training children to play fairly and to their best, else a rude awakening awaits in adult life. Competition lies at the heart of nature’s survival of the fittest. Going against the grain of nature often has unpleasant unintended consequences.
I personally think schools should balance both, by bringing in non-competitive collaborative sports without banning traditional events. How's that for sitting on the fence!
Here's a bit of fun for Christmas which the kids will love having a go with. You'll need the cookie cutters, but they come in all shapes, sizes and designs nowadays.
Also known as a Berliner in Germany and a ponchik in Poland, Michael used to queue up excitedly for similar ones as a child, at the bustling Bakery in the Old Kent Road.
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple in the 2nd century BC.