Top five best pieces of advice received while playing sport revealed including ‘don't fear mistakes'

The Sun

20-05-2025

BRITS have revealed the best advice they have ever received while playing sport - including run your own race, don't fear mistakes, that's how you learn, and play because you love it.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 92 per cent have felt more confident after receiving positive words of encouragement from others.
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Other confidence-boosting bits of advice include the game isn't over until the whistle blows, you win as a team you lose as a team, and stay humble in victory and gracious in defeat.
With further helpful pointers including control what you can control, earn from every defeat, confidence comes from preparation, and focus on the next play, not the last mistake.
The research was commissioned by Cadbury, which is launching a campaign called Game Changers which is highlighting how a little support can go a long way.
A mix of current and former footballers from the UK and Ireland, including Leah Williamson, Jill Scott, Lauren James, and Katie McCabe have backed the initiative after they themselves were spurred on by the words of others.
It emerged 89 per cent of those polled think words of encouragement contribute towards making team environments more positive – whether that's sports, working, or elsewhere.
The most common areas where this advice is applied include when facing setbacks (25 per cent), when dealing with problems in friendships (22 per cent), and when learning new skills (20 per cent).
While 16 per cent have used such pointers when dealing with difficult colleagues.
Carried out through OnePoll, the research found the most genuine forms of encouragement come when expressed during one-to-one situations – with 53 per cent of this opinion.
TOP FIVE - BEST PIECES OF ADVICE RECEIVED WHILE PLAYING SPORT
1. Run your own race
2. Don't fear mistakes that's how you learn
3. Play because you love it
4. The game isn't over until the whistle blows
5. You win as a team you lose as a team
Beth Williams, junior brand manager at Mondelez International, home to brands including Cadbury, which is running a competition for a chance to win an inspiring face-to-face meeting with Leah, Jill, Katie, or Lauren via its Instagram account, said: 'Our new study shows just how powerful positive words can be.
'Through our Game Changers campaign, we want to celebrate the individuals who provide crucial support and demonstrate that a little support can truly change the game for someone.'