The Unified Flag Football team here at Hamilton Southeastern High School centers themselves around one key theme. The acronym GRIP, standing for gratitude, respect, integrity, and purpose. The team breaks down their huddle following every game and practice with GRIP.
Will Joyce, a freshman, and new member on the team says how the acronym means to “help to lift each other up after making a bad play and supporting each other no matter what happens during the game.” It’s important for the kids to learn how to have all of these values and use them to the advantage of the team.
Other teammates agreed with Joyce in saying that the acronym helps them to support and uplift each other during practice and games. Austin Smit, another member on the team highlights that “GRIP means to be a good person and always do what’s right”. He goes on to describe how making sure that people are always assured they have a purpose is very important for their morale and well-being.
After the team recites all of the letters and what they stand for, they go on to say, “I have a purpose”, this is significant to remind all of the kids on the team that they belong, and they have a purpose for many things in life. A daily reminder of this is very impactful and beneficial to be heard.
Jack Trant, a quarterback on the team illustrates how “GRIP means to live being a better leader and human” which shows the impact of the acronym on the team. It’s very important for the kids on the team to learn these four valuable terms to push them forward and be the best they can be.
The last thing the team says during the GRIP break down is “the world is better when I’m in it” which is a great reminder for them to realize the impact they have on others and on their peers.
One thing the team does is bring the opposing team into the huddle to teach them the meaning of GRIP. Maren Wills, another member of the team touched on “overall showing the kids that the game has a bigger purpose than just winning”, win or lose the Royals still come together with the team on the other side to set an example and teach them something that could impact them.
At the end of the day, the unified flag football team at HSE helps the kids learn what playing sports is all about. It’s not always about winning, but having respect and sportsmanship is something really important for them to learn. It’s bigger than flag football with this team, and they enjoy every second of being a part of it.