Fair Play Discussion Topics

This resource provides some questions and start-point answers to discuss the subject of sport, and benefits and importance of fair play in sport, and to help them gain more from sporting activities. Use it as a stand-alone resource or in conjunction with reading Spid the Spider Challenges for the Cricket Cup. In this story, Spid’s team celebrate teamwork, fair play and standing up to cheats as they face fierce rivals in the Cricket Cup.

Fair play discussion topics

1. Why do we play sport?

Question for children:
Why do you think Spid and his friends wanted to play in the Cricket Cup?

Teacher guidance:
Children might say “to win,” but guide them to broader ideas:

• To have fun
• To get or stay healthy
• To be part of a team
• To get better at something
• To enjoy playing with friends

You can emphasise that winning is great, may win applause from family, friends and others and also boost self-esteem, but it is not necessarily the most important thing—enjoyment and teamwork matter more. You could also ask whether professional sportsmen and women think the same way – most are initially driven by a love for a particular sport, and only if and when they are successful, do they consider it as a potential career.

2. Why do sports have rules?

Question for children:
What would happen if there were no rules in cricket—or any sport?

Teacher guidance:
Encourage children to think about:

• Games would become unfair or confusing
• People might argue or fall out
• It would be harder to know who has won

Explain that rules help:

• Keep everyone safe
• Make the game fair
• Help everyone understand how to play

3. What is fair play?

Question for children:
What does “fair play” mean? Can you think of examples either from real-life or from the story?

Teacher guidance:
Guide children towards:

• Playing by the rules
• Being honest (e.g. saying you are out)
• Respecting others (teammates, opponents, umpire)

You can contrast:

• Spid’s team trying their best and playing fairly
• The Spidwell Spinners trying to bend the rules

4. Is cheating ever OK?

Question for children:
The Spidwell Spinners tried to cheat with the coin. Why was this wrong?

Teacher guidance:
Key learning points:

• Cheating gives an unfair advantage
• It spoils the game for others
• It can make people lose trust in you

Highlight the story message:

• “Cheats never prosper”
• Even if cheating helps at first, it is usually discovered in the end

You could also ask:

• How would you feel if someone cheated against you?
• How would you feel if you cheated?  Would you have the same level of self-esteem if you won and cheated?