Rugby World Cup 2019
Focusing on success
by Helen Gwynne-Kinsey
Suitable for Key Stage 4/5
Aims
To use the Rugby World Cup 2019 to prepare us for success in the academic challenges ahead.
Preparation and materials
- Have available the list of 20 teams that will be competing in the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the means to display it. The list is available at: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/teams
- Have available the promotional video for the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the means to show it during the assembly. It is 2.24 minutes long and is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX3zJDGcORo
- You will need the PowerPoint slides that accompany this assembly (Rugby World Cup 2019) and the means to display them.
Assembly
- Show the list of 20 teams that will be competing in the Rugby World Cup 2019.
Friday 20 September 2019 marks the start of what is claimed to be the world’s third largest sporting event, the Rugby World Cup. Over the next six weeks, these 20 international rugby teams will be competing to achieve the greatest prize of all, that of becoming the best rugby team in the world.
- The Rugby World Cup tournament is held every four years and this time, it is being hosted by Japan.
Show the promotional video for the Rugby World Cup 2019. - During this assembly, we are going to consider some of the issues that were raised in the video and reflect upon how they can be applied to each of us.
Show Slide 1.
‘You get one opportunity.’ It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. People who are successful in life don’t let opportunities pass them by. Think about the opportunities available in school at the moment: we have the chance to achieve a good set of examination results, qualifications that will open doors for us when we embark upon our lives after school. - Show Slide 2.
‘Face your fears head on.’ It’s natural for people to lack confidence in their own ability, but it’s important not to let it become the reason for giving up. Facing one’s fears means that a person goes ahead anyway. As it says in the video, it is possible to turn struggle into the joy of victory.
Show Slide 3. - Show Slide 4.
‘Success and honour come from determination and sacrifice.’ For the rugby players competing in the World Cup, this means focusing entirely upon success. For the past few months, they will have lived and breathed only rugby. This will have involved sacrificing many other things that are important to them, such as time spent with family and friends as well as doing the things that they enjoy in life. However, for the players, the sacrifice is worth it for the joy and satisfaction that comes with success. To use another cliché, ‘short-term pain for long-term gain’. We may feel miserable, or resentful at having to give up so much time for our studies in the months ahead, but in the end, it will be worth it. - Show Slide 5.
Finally, let’s not forget that in this school/college, we work as a team.
‘One for all, all for one.’ If we feel like we’re struggling, no matter what the problem, let’s determine to seek help and guidance at the earliest opportunity.
Time for reflection
As we prepare for the challenges ahead, let us be willing to seize the moment and work hard for personal success.
Let’s remember that we are a team. Let’s encourage one another. Let’s help one another towards success.
Prayer
Dear God,
We ask you to give us the strength to summon the effort needed for this year.
We ask that we might have the willingness to make the sacrifices that are necessary to achieve success.
Above all, please help us to support each other so that we can focus, as a community united, on the best ways to meet our goals.
Amen.
Song/music
You may wish to show the promotional video for the Rugby World Cup 2019 again at the end of the assembly or as the students leave the room.
