So far in this series, we’ve explored Competence, Confidence, and Connection as essential foundations of positive youth sport and athletic development. This week, we focus on Character: the values and qualities that shape who we are, and how we train, play, and support each other both on and off the field.
In this week’s post, we turn our focus to Character.
Character is built through lived experiences. Our Grammarians tell us they discover it when they test themselves in competition, when they push through challenges at training and when they commit to their teammates.
We see it when a student steps up to fill in at a carnival, even if they don’t feel completely ready. It takes courage to say “Yes, I’ll have a go.” Deeper than this though, it demonstrates their sense of service and connection to their peers and School.
It’s been a joy to watch our AFLW side across the 2025 season, a journey crowned with their third straight Herald Sun Shield title. Week after week, they’ve shown grit, love, and toughness, but the final at Port Melbourne was something extra special. In those tense moments, the way they lifted one another – and were lifted by the roar of the Merton Army – revealed something richer than skill or strategy. That moment was more than a game; it was resilience, belonging and belief in action.
Sport provides an authentic arena for this growth, and through these experiences, students build self-esteem (I am worthy) and self-efficacy (I am capable). Implicitly, they experience the six domains of resilience, which we know through the research (Maria Ruberto, 2024) to be:
1. Vision – having a clear sense of purpose
2. Composure – staying steady under pressure
3. Reasoning – problem-solving in the moment
4. Health – caring for body and mind
5. Collaboration – supporting others and seeking support in return
6. Tenacity – persisting despite setbacks
Importantly, they carry these qualities beyond sport and into the classroom, friendships and life.
Character is what keeps us grounded; it is the strength behind every team huddle, every comeback and every act of courage.
Sally Bailey
Executive Director Artemis Programs