Let’s all be more Freddie Flintoff

I loved the first series of Field of Dreams (see this blog) where former England cricketing legend, Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff formed a cricket team of lads from his home town of Preston.  Most had never played the game before and they all faced various challenges including neuro-diversity, homelessness and mental-health issues.

(And before people who hate cricket are put off, this is not really a programme or blog about cricket. Its more about getting involved in the lives of others and encouraging them to be the best they can be.)

For many reasons, this second series takes it all to a another level. Freddie doesn’t just get the team back together but proposes to take them on a cricket tour. To India.

Life-changing crash

With a few weeks to go the proposed tour looks to be all over when Flintoff suffers a terrible and life-changing car crash when filming the TV show Top Gear.

The crash badly disfigures Flintoff and leads to a host of operations to re-build his shattered face. And the damage was not just physical – Flintoff was left with severe anxiety and struggled to leave his house for months.

But Flintoff concludes is that he needs to go on this cricket tour. And not just to help those in the team – its for himself. He needs to confront his demons of trauma and face the world again. Flintoff’s personal bravery and vulnerability creates a TV series of rare power.

So the motley group heads off to India. Most of them have hardly travelled far beyond Preston and they immediately face an environment, culture and climate that is completely different to what they are used to.

Issues of identity

Field of Dreams highlights the contrast between poverty in the UK with that in the majority world. Rather than their lack of material resources, we see the young British men struggling chiefly with issues relating to their identity: low self-esteem, confidence and motivation to deal with the challenges they face.

Despite Flintoff being really clear, and it all being filmed, none of the team are able to wake up in time for the team breakfast. Flintoff’s anger and disappointment at their attitude and lack of commitment sparks a reaction as they realise they need to take more responsibility.

Contrast

These challenges sharply with the raw material poverty they are surrounded in India. Despite their obvious lack of resources, they meet young people brimming with motivation and energy to make the most of themselves.  They meet disciplined young people studying hard in an orphanage and dedicated young girls who travel 300 miles to attend a cricket academy to chase their dreams of playing at the highest level.

This illustrates the nature of deprivation in the UK – and the significance of the poverty of relationships and identity.

Flintoff continually seeking to address these issues by building their relationships as a team and urging more self-belief and a more positive self-identity in each of the lads.

A challenge we can all respond to

Field of Dreams is more than just good TV – it’s a challenge we can all respond to. Here are 4 reasons why we can all be a bit more Freddie Flintoff:

1. His personal openness and bravery: to battle his anxiety and be open about his panic attacks and mental struggles.

2.His commitment to these young men: the group is hard work, beleaguered by all kinds of difficulties, but he sticks with them and follows through. His commitment speaks powerfully to them.

3. His willingness to speak truth and challenge: Flintoff shows plenty of grace and generosity but he also has to speak some blunt truths when their behaviour (in his words) ‘takes the piss’.

4. The way he empowers them: Flintoff continually gives the young men responsibility to lead and run sessions. Sean, who has been one of the most challenging characters, is made captain and shows himself to be a real leader.

In our own communities

We don’t need fame or TV cameras to do a lot of what Freddie Flintoff has done. This kind of work can be replicated in our own communities.  

Youth groups need setting up and existing ones need volunteers.  Church halls and community centres should not be empty and lifeless on Friday evenings! More than ever young people need connection with adults who care. We don’t need qualifications or complicated resources – just a commitment to turn up, to listen and to bear with young people.

Let’s all be a bit more Freddie Flintoff!

Watch Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams on BBC iPlayer