It’s the season of school athletic days here in Aotearoa New Zealand. Already some school have postponed these due to weather – rain, cold, hail. That’s part of the El Niño cycle with some wild weather and some glorious days, with Christchurch potentially being hotter and drier. It got me thinking about how school sports days might change in the future so I decided to have some fun! What would a primary school athletics day look like in 5 years time?
The setting
Year: 2031
Context: A primary school sports day in Ōtautahi Christchurch
The ask: A permission slip is sent home asking for helpers for the school athletic sports. What permissions do you give? How might you, or your wider family, help out on the day? As usual, the school is short of helpers!
Artefact from the Future
The artefact below explores Christchurch climate issue through an ordinary object set in the near future – no drama, no sci-fi, just paperwork and a return slip! It is a format we understand and recognise.
The form seeks permission for children to take part in a school sports day, with heat safety a key factor. It also asks for help with the shade roster, recognising the nostalgia of years gone by and the associated loss.
It is a deliberate nod to the past, set in the near future, inviting us to live within the issue.
The Deeper Conversation
This Artefact from the Future is a starting point for strategic discussions. It can be a catalyst for questions such as:
- When will it be too hot to exercise outside?
- Will large sports events such as the Olympic Games be sustainable?
- When might the first heat related law suit be filed by an athlete?
- How might sports performance gear be modified for extreme heat?
- What sports will rise in popularity as a result?
An excellent report from SportNZ asks the question: How will climate change impacts and mitigations affect sport and recreation? It is a recommended read, challenging us to consider “What questions should we be asking ourselves today?” and providing a summary of the drivers of change that might be considered.
What are you thinking about the future—your assumptions, goals, and the path from here to there?
Conclusion
This post is a bit of fun with a serious twist. It is a reminder that the decisions we make now impact on future generations. What are the signals of change? What should we consider now? What role does education play? What should sports codes be considering now? Or will it be the death of school sports days?