Let’s talk about the power of unseen support in achieving success. Behind every great achievement, there are quiet contributors who provide essential guidance, encouragement and care.
Saul Morales Padilla (He/Him) // Contributor
MESH Devkota (He/Him) // Illustrator
Usually, when we think about sports teams, we tend to focus on the coaches and the athletes. Today we will talk about the part of the team that stays behind the curtain, the unsung heroes whose vital contributions are often overlooked. Physiotherapists, the assistant coach, the psychologist, the parents of the athletes and other family members and friends help with the preparation of the athlete. When most professional athletes talk about their team, they don’t just mean the players on the field.
For Mattias Henry, a second-year biology student and water polo player, his star behind the curtain is his club’s president, who was one of his teammates’ mothers. “A lot of guys on our team got into all kinds of trouble in and out of the pool,” Henry said. “I can’t speak for everyone, but she definitely bailed me out a few times. Wouldn’t have been able to play at all without her,”
This goes to show how important it is to not just have a coach who is focused on your professional career, but also a person who cares about you overall. Not to say that the coaches don’t, but they usually have a lot on their plates with coaching already and cannot always focus on the behind-the-scenes as well.
For Sophie Fenton, a CapU student in her second year of legal studies who enjoys weightlifting, the star behind the curtain would be her grandmother. “Her active lifestyle, well into her 70s, inspired me to start working out.”
It can be anyone in any position in your life who sparks something in you that gives motivation, hope or an eagerness to succeed.
Physiotherapists, for example, their work goes beyond scheduled sessions, as they spend extra time designing personalized rehabilitation programs offering advice on lifestyle choices and more. They make sure that their patients are not just physically but also mentally ready to return to the field.
One of the most ignored, yet most important, factors in the success of an athlete is family support. Thank you to the parents who find time to drive their kids to practice, who pay for the uniform and special equipment and who watch all the games and cheer from the benches. Thanks for all the meals you prepared and for encouraging your kids to get into sports in the first place.
Do not forget the friends and romantic partners. In the name of all athletes, thanks for all the words of encouragement and for being part of an unseen support system.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game or focus on the athletes who score the winning goals and the coaches who lead the team to victory. But the backbone of any successful team is made up of the individuals who are working quietly behind the scenes without asking for recognition.
From offering emotional support to providing a sense of stability in the very competitive world of sports, the impact of these characters is felt deeply by the athletes who rely on them every day.
Recognizing these people gives us a fuller understanding of what it really means to be part of a team. They are a reminder that success in sports and life is rarely achieved alone.