We believe there’s something more important than just winning or losing a tournament. We believe that the team, school, and fans who support their athletes with dignity and class are the true champions. That’s why we’ve proudly sponsored the WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award for 56 years.
We would like to congratulate the Oostburg Flying Dutchmen on being this year’s recipient of the Boys Soccer Sportsmanship award.
When talking with Head Coach, Ryan TenPas, we asked him what this award meant to him as a coach, the team and community along with how they teach their athletes about sportsmanship.
We’ve enjoyed a great deal of success on the field over the last several years, but as coaches we’ve tried to make it clear that the success on the field doesn’t matter if we’re exhibiting poor sportsmanship in the process. The boys get this same message at home, in school, and around town, so I believe this award is one that the boys and the entire school and community should be proud of.
Most of my assistants and I are naturally quiet, so we tend to be leaders by example. We treat officials and our opponents with respect, and the boys know that they’re expected to do the same. Our team represents our school and our community, and we believe the best way to do that is by demonstrating good sportsmanship.
Coach TenPas has been coaching at the High School level since 2014, and he coached at the youth and club level prior to that.
He also went on to comment that, “Coaching at the high school level is fun because you get to watch the boys develop as players and individuals over four years rather than just a season or two,” said Coach TenPas
Congratulations again on a great season and winning the WIAA/Rural Mutual Sportsmanship award. This is a great achievement for the Oostburg community.
