Hard and fair

When one considers the behaviour of some top sportsmen, however, it is no surprise. Only this weekend, Wayne Rooney was forced to apologise for swearing into a television camera, even though his team was winning, and last week saw the retirement as Australian cricket captain of Ricky Ponting, known as much for finger-wagging tirades at umpires as for the verve and grit of his batting.

Looking back only a little further, however, there are examples of how to win and lose with valour. The journey of England’s cricket team, from also-rans to multiple Ashes winners, has been completed largely with grace under fire and they stand as role models.

Polls which show many parents have seen their children reacting badly after losing should not be a cause too much concern. The story of Tim Henman, defaulted at Wimbledon after an angrily struck ball hit a ball-girl on the head, before going on to become an icon of English rectitude, shows that everyone can change for the better.