Associate professor Tania Cassidy and Otago graduate Ryan Rosevear say the focus of provincial unions is on player development but New Zealand Rugby (NZR) focuses primarily on improving performance.

The study recommends an open discussion about why some values are prioritised and not others.

The authors say NZR has a list of socially oriented "character assessment values" which selectors use to assess players' character.

These values include work ethic, competitiveness, resilience, coachability and motivation in rugby.

But NZR lacks clear emphasis on moral values says Rosevear.

"This reflects other researchers' claims that principles such as honesty and sportspersonship are not often emphasised in elite team sports because they do not win matches."

Leading international character academics recommend a focus also be placed on moral values, specifically compassion, fairness, sportspersonship and integrity.

Cassidy said NZR should follow the lead of some of their provincial counterparts and consider moral principles alongside social values during the selection process.

The study comes at a time when moral judgements on sports stars, especially rugby players, have become a hot topic of discussion.

The All Blacks have recently come under fire for their moral judgment, or lack thereof, after the selection of Crusaders winger Sevu Reece for the upcoming Rugby Championship.

Source

• www.otago.ac.nz
• www.nzherald.co.nz/sport
• rnz.co.nz
• Image: rugbynorcal.org

Yet, moral values when comprehensively infused into the subjects and overall atmosphere of educational institutions, have the strong potential to form students who not only care about their future careers, but far more importantly, about the well-being and overall good of every single person on our planet - especially the poor and vulnerable - and about the planet itself.

For those of us seeking to build a truly humane world and advance the Kingdom of God, the universal teaching and acquisition of moral values is absolutely essential.

The famous Anglican spiritual writer C.S. Lewis said, "Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil."

But the world doesn't need more clever devils; it needs saints centered in Christ-like moral values.
Oh, but undoubtedly, many will voice the compliant "whose values?"

For those who have little interest in forming morally sound students, this question is a red herring.

But for those who truly desire their children and themselves to have morally sound values, it's a valid question.

In his book, "The Moral Compass," William Bennett, former U.S. secretary of education, lists ten traits of character to aid in the task of the moral education of the young: self-discipline, compassion, responsibility, friendship, work, courage, perseverance, honesty, loyalty and faith.

These character traits get my vote!

How can any decent person not want to absorb these highly desirable moral values, live by them, and instill them into the lives of young people and into the very culture itself - so often lacking in them.

Bennett adds that we must raise the young "as moral and spiritual beings by offering them unequivocal, reliable standards of right and wrong, noble and base, just and unjust."

He then cites the philosopher John Locke who said, "Tis virtue … which is the hard and valuable part to be aimed at in education."

And in addition to the essential moral values mentioned by Bennett, especially faith, let us not forget the other two theological virtues of hope, and above all - love!

There is absolutely no reason, legal or otherwise, why moral values can't be conscientiously and comprehensively taught in not only Catholic schools, but in public schools as well.

As a 17-year-old junior at Morehouse College, Martin Luther King, Jr. even at that young age had the wisdom to write: "Education without morals is like a ship without a compass, merely wandering nowhere.

"It is not enough to have the power of concentration, but we must have worthy objectives upon which to concentrate. It is not enough to know the truth, but we must love truth and sacrifice for it"

And as we know, King gave all he had in loving and sacrificing for truth.

May we likewise aspire to learn, teach, love and sacrificially live the value of truth, especially the ultimate truth that is Jesus - the truth that will set us free!

• Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at diocesan or parish gatherings. Tony can be reached at tmag@zoominternet.net.