GREAT GIFTS FOR SPORTING GREATS
Imagine if your son was Pete Sampras or Gary Player? Or if you had Serena Williams or Annika Sorenstam for a daughter?
No doubt, talent, commitment, perseverance, dedication, courage and a little luck are all necessary for someone to become a champion, but every champion has to start somewhere – and in the background (and sometimes the foreground!), there’s parental involvement.
In order to buy his son a set of golf clubs, Gary Player’s dad had to take out a loan. Annika was a multi talented sportsgirl, playing competitive tennis, soccer and skiing but it was golf that catapulted her into international stardom. But it wasn’t handed to her on a plate – she had to share her first set of clubs with her sister, only getting the clubs with odd numbers (such as a 5 and 7 iron). It’s the same with Pete Sampras. It was after he uncovered an old tennis racquet in the basement of his home that he realized that tennis was his thing and he started hitting balls against the wall from the age of three.
These stories tell us that even talented people need a spark to get them going. The basement discovery may have been the catalyst for Sampras and for Player, it may have been his father’s hard work.
Perhaps we can all learn from those stories – especially when it comes to giving gifts to our children. Is there something more meaningful that we could be doing? Many of us fall into the trap of getting the latest toys and novelties (which often just break or get lost) when perhaps there is something that they could get that would put them on a more meaningful journey. And you never know – it could even start them on a journey to fortune and fame!
Why not trade the new mobile phone for a tennis racquet? Some golf clubs instead of a new handbag? Instead of a video game or computer accessory, how about a surfboard?
And on the subject of surfboards – a gift of a proper pine surfboard for LeRoy Grannis’ 14th birthday from his father was the one thing that really ignited his passion for surfing. That passion saw him immerse himself in the sport, and he became an internationally renowned surf photographer, known worldwide as the ‘godfather’ of surf photography.
So whether it is golf clubs or a surfboard, a tennis racquet or a cricket bat, even golf lessons or cooking lessons – you could give your children a gift that changes their life.
If the idea of giving them an opportunity appeals to you – where do you start? Going online is probably the best place to start, and have a look at online gift retailers for inspiration and ideas. From golf lessons and surfing lessons – to more adventurous experiences – the online retailers sell gift vouchers for a whole world of activities.
Look outside of the box for gift ideas – whether you’re looking for a gift in Los Angeles, a gift in Beijing or a gift in Melbourne. And who knows – it may just be the start of a life-changing journey!
