“You can’t aspire to what you don’t know”. This phrase takes on special meaning when we talk about positive references in the world of sport. At Casvi Villaviciosa International School, we believe that sport not only improves physical health: it is a powerful vehicle for teaching values such as equality, cooperation and respect. That is why, in this article, we want to focus on how important women in sport become an inspiration to work on these values in our classrooms.
THE CHALLENGE OF INVISIBILITY: HOW TO EDUCATE FOR EQUALITY WITHOUT A POINT OF REFERENCE?
Although there are many important women in sport, their presence in books, media and conversations remains limited. This invisibility affects not only girls who might dream of following in their footsteps. It also affects students as a whole, who miss out on valuable examples of effort, self-improvement and teamwork.
According to UNESCO, “gender equality starts in the classroom, and sport is a key tool for empowering women and combating gender bias”. However, if we do not show real examples that represent this equality, we run the risk of perpetuating stereotypes and limiting the aspirations of our students.
THE IMPACT OF INEQUALITY ON VALUES LEARNING
When the achievements of important women in sport are not made visible, key opportunities to teach fundamental values are lost. Sport is not only a physical discipline. It is a vehicle for the development of social, emotional and cognitive skills crucial to the formation of a just society.
The absence of such models of success undermines one of the most important pillars of education. To educate conscientious, caring and fair people who understand that success is achieved through cooperation and teamwork.
IMPORTANT WOMEN IN SPORT WHO INSPIRE ON AND OFF THE PITCH
Throughout history, there have been many important women in sport who have left their mark not only for their achievements, but also for the values they represent. Tennis player Serena Williams has been a symbol of perseverance and achievement in elite sport. Gymnast Nadia Comăneci revolutionised Olympic history by achieving the first perfect score at the Olympic Games. In football, Megan Rapinoe has stood out for both her talent and her advocacy for equality. And in Spain, figures such as Carolina Marín, badminton world champion, or Teresa Perales, Paralympic swimmer with more than 20 medals, are clear examples of effort, perseverance and teamwork.
CASVI VILLAVICIOSA: SPORT AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL FOR EQUALITY
At Casvi Villaviciosa International School, we work every day to make sport a space for growth in values. We use real examples of important women in sport to reinforce significant learning that goes beyond physical training.
COOPERATION
- Every sporting activity is an opportunity for our students to understand that shared effort achieves better results.
RESPECT
- Teaching to win with humility and to lose with dignity.
EQUALITY
- Give equal opportunities to all students, regardless of gender. The objectives are to participate, enjoy and develop.
TEAMWORK
- True success is collective, and our students experience it in every sporting event.
EFFORT AND PERSEVERANCE
- The stories of real sportsmen and women serve to demonstrate that there is no achievement without commitment.
These dynamics are integrated into our educational routine, in our Physical Education classes, in school training sessions and in every project we carry out in the sports area.
CASVI VILLAVICIOSA: THE VALUE OF SPORT BEYOND RESULTS
At Casvi Villaviciosa we understand sport as a first class educational tool. We are committed to a comprehensive education that includes physical, emotional and social development. For this reason, making important women in sport visible is one more way of reinforcing our commitment to an education based on respect, cooperation and equality.
Do you want to know how we work on these values on a daily basis?
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EDUCATIONAL APPROACH
