The whistle blows. The hands come up to indicate the indiscretion. The recipient of the decision has a choice of their own to make at this moment. Do they accept their fate and acknowledge their guilt? Do they plead their case hoping for a reversal of the decision? Do they become argumentative, even abusive and thereby risking further retribution? All of these thoughts happen in a micro-second over and over again … in a recreational sports match.

This is what I have noticed. It does not matter how someone is off the court/field/pitch, once they step onto a playing arena there are no guarantees as to how they will choose to behave in that moment. All bets are off as to the rules of civilised behaviour. Quiet and well-mannered individuals can turn into an explosive ball of fury if they believe they have been ‘wronged’ by either opposition or official or both.

The fervour with which people participate in their sport, often creating a change in their personality, is known in Australia as ‘White Line Fever’. It is as if the fate of the world depends on the individual performance and outcome of this recreational activity.

People are so passionate about their sporting performances that there are pathways for consequences built in for officiating in every team sport code I can think of (red cards, tech fouls, reporting, tribunals, ‘sin bins’ etc.).

In my time I have watched hundreds and hundreds of live basketball games. Firstly because I loved accompanying my dad as he refereed social basketball for as long as I can remember, then because a number of my friends, and love interests played. White Line Fever has been evident in at least one person in almost every game I have seen.

The level of competition does nothing to quell this phenomenon it would seem. Even in a low stakes Christian church run competitions I have heard words and seen aggressive behaviour that would make a truckie blush! What is it that drives this behaviour? What comes over people in that moment?

I have been thinking about this recently as we are returning home after a week-long Salvation Army National Basketball and Netball Carnival. Our youngest son was representing our state in the Under 18’s Basketball. He played up to 3 games every day for 4 days and then in the Grand Final match yesterday. This year’s Carnival was being held in Illawarra NSW and overall it was a great experience.

As I have reflected on the phenomenon of White Line Fever I realise that it can take hold of spectators as well as players, in all levels of competition and all types of sports. I noticed within myself that there were a couple of individuals I was highly critical of as I had witnessed this type of passionate/aggressive behaviour when they had played before. The anxiety and resentment that bubbled within me as I anticipated games when these players were stepping onto the court was all-consuming.

There was a hardness and lack of compassion in me that I neither liked nor wished to continue to hold. I realised that I was becoming as bad in my attitude as what I believed they had displayed in previous sporting encounters.

As I was wrestling with this I was caused to reflect on something else I witnessed and remember well from my netball playing days. At the conclusion of our netball games, both teams form a single circle, arms across shoulders, and sing out 3 cheers for the losing team, 3 cheers for the winning team and then 3 for the umpires.

I loved watching this display over and over again this week with the netball teams, which were then copied by some of the basketball teams and I believe it has an amazingly helpful outcome. It reminds all participants that this match up, this battle for perceived supremacy is, after all, only a game.

The result of any game alters nothing in the world. Wars are not won, poverty is not abolished, global warming is not resolved. The goal is about activity and enjoyment. This coming together at the conclusion of the game is an action of honouring all participants, especially the officials and it serves us well.

I needed a reality check. I was behaving with my own version of ‘White Line Fever’ and I needed to let it go. The Bible teaches that it is a great practice to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew chapter 5 verse 44). Now, the young men I was focussing on were not my enemies, but they were persecuting me because I was obsessing about their potential behaviour. I was creating the persecution and I needed to pray for them with sincerity and conviction.

I have no control over the behaviour of others, only myself, and so I prayed. I asked God to forgive my attitude. I asked Him to change my hard-hearted, dismissive attitude to one of love and grace such as He has. I asked God to be especially close to anyone that I was holding animosity towards.

The relief I felt was immediate. It was as if I was previously clenching hands, teeth and heart and I was able to release it and leave it with God. Added to that, I was able to really enjoy watching the games and I noticed examples of great sportsmanship being displayed, even from those I had previously had difficulty with. My perspective had completely changed with a simple Divine reality check and re-focus.

I am so grateful for the change of heart and mind that I was able to experience this week, and just in case you’re interested … Joshua’s team were victorious in a relatively well behaved, intense game. Go SA!!

Be blessed.