Disgraceful. This is the only word that comes into mind when describing the behaviour of the Leulumoega Fou first XV players after their semi-final clash against Palauli on Thursday.

It was a match worthy of prime time viewing with both teams giving their best to qualify for the finals, but as fate would have it, there is only one winner. This time, it was Palauli, a team from Savaii, that clinched the win with official time over.

What followed was disgraceful and made redundant the beautiful game that Leulumoega Fou had played. A handful of players from the school refused to shake hands with their opponents. While many will say that they were unhappy that they lost, it is never an excuse to behave in an unsportsmanlike manner. Even the top teams in the world, when they lose they acknowledge their opponents.

Even boxers or martial artists who are engaged in combat sports, acknowledge the victor. The same happens with Super Rugby, NRL, the World Sevens Series, World Netball Championship, FIFA World Cup, Champions League, Six Nations and international tests. The list can go on if all sporting events are listed. The point is that unsportsmanlike behaviour ruins the spirit of the game, players and those supporting their teams. It is worse than fights among fans.

Coaches of any sport should start drilling the attitude and behaviour expected from athletes from a young age. In fact, sportsmanlike behaviour should be part of training. This also reflects the ideologies of the coaches and the administrators of the team. Yes, it is hard to be gracious in defeat and modest in victory, but that is what the spirit of sports is about.

Every team that enters a field of play is there to win. They will give their best until the final whistle. Once that blows, whatever happens on the field should be left on the field. Why is it that so many teams, be it school teams or clubs, cannot do that? Why is it that everything has to be an act of violence and being sore losers?

These are values that begin at home. Instead of accepting defeat, children are taught to complain and fight back, even when it is a sporting event or when they are wrong. This falls back on the culture of violence that exists within the society. That culture transcends into sports, school work and even in the personal life of many when they grow into adults.

Each team that enters the field of play binds together, bows their heads and says a prayer. It seems that the prayers are only for a win. ‘Dear God, help us win.’ That should not be the prayer. Instead, it should be, ‘Dear God, help us win and when we do, help us stay modest and if we lose, help us accept defeat with grace.’

The blame for unsportsmanlike behaviour goes to the homes, parents and coaches who do not instil this into children. Players who cannot be good sportsmen should never be selected in the first place. This also goes for fans who, after their team’s losses, retaliate with violent behaviour. Tormenting amongst fans is an age-old tradition. If you cannot handle the heat of the comments, do not come and watch live games. It is as simple as that.

On Saturday, 12 teams will enter the field at Wesley College for the finals of the BSP Schools Rugby XV Championship. All teams will be gunning for a win, but in the final, there can only be one winner. This is part and parcel of playing any sport. The sooner athletes learn this, the better people they become. It will help their growth.

All the best to the girls and boys who made the finals. Your hard work will be needed on the field. Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field. If you win, share that joy with your opponents; if you lose, congratulate your opponents and be a better version of yourself after the 80 minutes.