Player Online Diaries

Stimulus material

Spring Tour Diary 2005. Wallaby, Al Baxter, wrote daily entries (26 October - 25 November) about the 2005 Wallabies' Spring Tour of Europe including their preparation for several Test matches.

 Road to Edmonton Diary 2006. Players from the National Women's Training Squad write about their journey towards representing Australia at the iRB Women's Rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Canada in August and September 2006.

Suggested learning activities

1. Read one or more daily entries from the Spring Tour Diary 2005 with students. Ask students to write down examples of where Al Baxter has referred to the following:
   • A funny story involving all team members
   • Extreme weather conditions and their impact on the team
   • An enjoyable team tradition
   • Support from Australian fans
   • An opportunity to explore and learn about a new city.
2. Read one or more entries from the Road to Edmonton Diary 2006 with students. Ask students to write down examples of where players from the Wallaroos' squad have referred to the following:
   • A person that inspired them to play Rugby
   • The challenges of balancing work, family and Rugby committments 
   • Camaraderie in the team
   • Support from their family and friends.
3. Invite students to share their answers. Ask students if they can think of values that each example represents. For instance, the funny story involving all team members could represent camaraderie; an enjoyable team tradition could represent pride and respect.
4. Discuss the importance of reflecting on your thoughts and feelings about daily activities and other special events. Challenge students to find examples of other communication tools that people use to reflect and record their thoughts and feelings e.g. audio tapes, videos, hard copy diaries, journals, weblogs.
5. As a class, choose a communication tool which can be used to document the class group's thoughts and feelings about one or more of the following themes:
   • Teamwork and camaraderie.
     • Record stories about class members who showed cooperation with others in the classroom or on the field; and/or supported others throughout class tasks in a friendly manner.
     • Document examples of local, state and national sporting teams which demonstrate teamwork and camaraderie
     • Record examples of teamwork and camaraderie in the local community.
   • Care and compassion.
     • Record stories about class members' who showed care and compassion for others in class, at school, and/or in a sporting team.
     • Document local, state and national news headlines and events where care and compassion is displayed by members of society.
   • Doing your best.
     • Record stories about times when class members have tried their best in a sporting event, class activity or family project.
     • Write about the characteristics of people who strive for excellence in work, sport and life in general.

Related resources

This activity could be used in conjunction with the EdRugby lesson Rugby diary.