Tug-of-war for youth coming to area School recognized BY CRYSTAL STEWART Wednesday March 22, 2006     Lakeshore Advance — Tug of war, a sport which supporters say is often not recognized as being serious or competitive, has gained strides in past months as a viable athletic alternative to mainstay such as hockey and baseball. After some strong endorsement work by Bluewater Tug-of-War club president Erich Freiter, the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) has accepted it to be practised in schools. “In the past tug-of-war was not recognized by the schools as a sport,” says club member Matt Metzger, who is also the Canadian representative for Tug of War International Federation (TWIF). “(OPHEA) never heard of it before,” adds Freiter. “It was unknown to them.” The sport has been available to young people for the past seven years at the Hensall Spring Fair, where local schools enter eight student teams in competition. The first year had 45 turn out, going up to 128 in 2001, but that’s the only exposure young enthusiasts could get. Freiter first brought the idea of full school teams to OPHEA’s attention through a teacher at a local public school who’s a member of the group. Freiter says when he asked the teacher what she knew about tug-of-war he heard the answer, “The only involvement I’ve had with tug of war was on the losing end in a mud puddle.”Once he explained the international style of tug-of-war the Bluewater group practices and the benefits it can have for its athletes, she encouraged the group to submit a proposal on how they would like to see the sport introduced in schools.“It’ll (now) be one of numerous physical activities that are allowed to be practised in the schools,” says Freiter, adding it’s up to the schools to decide if they want to implement it to be played alongside more familiar activities like volleyball and soccer. “It’s hard to get (people) out of those mainstream sports into tug of war,” says Metzger. He says although the local club’s teams have done well in many international competitions (including a bronze for the 520 kg women's team at an Open Club Competition in South Africa in 2002) and require members be in top physical form, most people either stereotype it as a sport for large unathletic men or don’t think of it as a sport at all.Tug-of-war is quite different than most people think says Freiter. He points out that it’s a non-aggressive sport, based on team play that doesn’t allow for one player to become the “superstar”. Those who aren’t quite as athletic can blend in with the team and a win is shared equally by everyone. He says this helps build self-confidence, self-respect and self-discipline.Freiter says the sport also allows participants to increase endurance, as well as get a workout that’s both cardiovascular and muscle toning. He adds the benefits extend to helping develop maturity and leadership skills. If schools do decide to start offering tug-of-war, the Bluewater club has members who will volunteer to act as coaches, including some local teachers. In an effort to gain more community awareness for tug-of-war, the club is hosting a youth development night at Hansen’s Independent community room in Exeter on March 28 at 7 p.m.The night will introduce those who are unfamiliar, to the sport’s rules, benefits and rewards. Freiter says it’s not just for kids, interested adults can attend as well.The club hopes eventually the sport will catch on in schools and be able to provide experienced team members when they are old enough for the Bluewater club. Freiter and Metzger say of all the people they convince to come and try out, only about 10 per cent stick around, mostly due to misconceptions of the sport as a casual one.So the group is selling their passion for tug-of-war as they always do, by getting the word out, but this time with a little leverage from their acceptance in schools, and an information session for those who are curious. “And hopefully they’ll tell friends again,” says Metzger.     Back to Newsletter Index