This is quite a personal story for me, but I’ve chosen to share it because I believe it gives context to something I feel deeply passionate about: the transformative power of sport.
Now, let me be clear from the start—when I say “sport saved my life,” I don’t mean it in a literal sense. There are many incredible stories out there of people turning away from crime or overcoming addiction through sport. Mine isn’t one of those. Mine is more subtle—but no less important.
A Hyperactive Start
Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, I was that kid. You know the one—full of energy, a bit disruptive, constantly moving, constantly talking. These days, you’d probably hear ADHD mentioned within minutes of a teacher or doctor meeting me. But back then, we were only just scratching the surface of understanding neurodiversity in children. Instead of a diagnosis and medication, my condition was managed with diet.
From around six to twelve years old, I was banned from eating chocolate, tomatoes, and drinking Coca-Cola —anything that had E-numbers in it. Sounds mad, right? Try telling that to a child at a birthday party. My poor parents—trying to keep me away from sweets while also managing the inevitable flare-ups of eczema and behavioural meltdowns when I got hold of something I shouldn’t have.
That period of my life is honestly a bit of a blur. But one thing I know for sure is that I was a royal pain in the backside. So what helped me grow into the (mostly) level-headed adult people see today? What bridged that gap from hyperactivity to leadership?
Sport.
Finding My Feet—And My Team
I played football in primary school, but as the short, stocky kid usually thrown in goal, it never really clicked. I wanted to be part of a team, but didn’t quite find my place. That all changed when I got to high school and discovered rugby. Suddenly, my size wasn’t a disadvantage—it was a superpower. I’d found my “neesh” (as I like to call it).
Not long after that, I started sailing too. Both sports gave me something I hadn’t felt before: a sense of purpose. A sense of value. Structure. Routine. Friendship. Achievement. It’s no exaggeration to say that those sports helped mould me into who I am today.
More Than Just a Game
The older I got, the more I understood what sport was really teaching me. Teamwork. Resilience. Leadership. Grit. The ability to win and lose gracefully. The experience of being part of something bigger than myself.
Sport didn’t just teach me how to catch a ball or steer a boat—it taught me how to read people, manage emotions, take responsibility and push myself. These are the “soft skills” employers always talk about, but for many of us, we first learn them in a muddy field on a Saturday morning.
When I captained my local rugby club in my early 20s, I found myself leading a team made up of a millionaire, a doctor, a scaffolder, a student, and an office worker. Where else would you get that mix of people pulling in the same direction? It taught me how to motivate different personalities, build trust, and unite people behind a common goal. That, more than any lecture or textbook, shaped the leader I am today.
The Bigger Picture – Sport as a Social Leveller
Let’s zoom out for a second. My story is personal, but not unique. Sport has long been recognised as a vehicle for social good. Research by the Sport for Development Coalition (2021) shows how physical activity improves mental health, enhances social cohesion, and reduces crime rates among young people.
Sport England also highlights how sport helps tackle inequalities, especially when targeted towards disadvantaged communities (Sport England, 2020). Whether it’s providing positive role models, keeping kids off the streets, or simply giving someone a reason to get out of bed in the morning—sport is often the spark that lights a fire in people.
And let’s not forget the health benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2018), regular physical activity can reduce the risk of depression, heart disease, and obesity. It builds stronger communities and better individuals.
Values for Life
Sport doesn’t just benefit children either—it continues to enrich lives into adulthood. The values it teaches are lifelong:
- Discipline – Training when it’s cold, showing up when you’re tired.
- Respect – For teammates, opponents, referees, and coaches.
- Inclusion – Working with people from all walks of life.
- Resilience – Bouncing back from injury, defeat, or failure.
When I reflect on my career now as a senior third-sector leader, I honestly believe I owe much of it to what I learned through sport. Would I have developed the same leadership skills, communication, and adaptability without it? Maybe. But I doubt it.
Final Whistle
So no—sport didn’t “save” me in the dramatic, news-headline way. But it gave a hyperactive, eczema-ridden kid structure. It gave him purpose. It taught him how to lead, how to lose, how to grow.
That’s why, at the Anderton Centre, we champion the outdoors, adventure, and physical activity. Because I know firsthand the impact it can have. And if my story can help one more young person realise their potential through sport, then it’s a story worth telling.
References
Sport England. (2020). Tackling Inequalities Fund. [online] Available at: https://www.sportengland.org/campaigns-and-our-work/tackling-inequalities-fund [Accessed 3 June 2025].
Sport for Development Coalition. (2021). Sport for development: Impact Report 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.sportfordevelopmentcoalition.org/impact-report-2021 [Accessed 3 June 2025].
World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: More active people for a healthier world. Geneva: World Health Organization.
David Germain is the CEO of the Anderton Centre, a qualified Mountain Leader, and a lifelong believer in the power of sport to change lives. When he’s not in the boardroom or on a mountain, you’ll find him encouraging young people to get outside, get active, and find their own path—just as he did.
