I had the opportunity to attend a 2. Bundesliga Women’s Handball game in Germany. Of course, camera in hand, moving along the sideline, adjusting, reacting, trying to catch the right moment. One of those evenings where everything just feels natural. You’re not thinking too much. You’re just in it.
And yes, the game itself was fast, physical, and intense. Strong athletes, quick decisions, powerful shots, everything you would expect at that level. But what stayed with me most didn’t happen during the game. It happened in between.
It was the players on the bench, smiling, leaning into each other, fully connected. It was the kids standing nearby, watching closely, trying to take it all in. It was the sound of the drum from the stands, keeping the rhythm alive, giving the game a heartbeat beyond the court.
At one point, I looked away from the play for a second. Not something you usually want to do as a photographer. But there it was, a small child standing next to a drummer, curious, calm, just being there. Not playing, not competing, just present. And that moment said more about sport than any goal or save.
We often talk about Physical Literacy as movement, skills, and performance. And yes, those things matter. They are part of the journey. But Physical Literacy also lives in these spaces.
It lives in the feeling of belonging. In the courage to try things.In the connection between people. In the quiet moments where someone decides, maybe without even realizing it, “I want to be part of this.” Yes, those ones, you know!? And yes, you have heard these things from me many times …
It’s easy to focus on results. Wins, losses, standings, statistics. That’s what we see on paper. But what keeps people coming back is something else. It’s the atmosphere. It’s the relationships. It’s the shared experience.The high five after a good play. The encouragement after a mistake. And, It’s the laughter on the bench. It’s knowing that you are part of something.
And that is where Physical Literacy lives, for me. Not just in how fast someone runs or how strong they are, but in how comfortable they feel showing up. In how safe they feel to try, to fail, to learn, and to enjoy being active.
As I stood there, in a different country, in a different sport environment than what I’m used to in the North, one thing became very clear. The setting changes, the language changes, the level of competition changes. But the core of it all stays the same.
People showing up. Connecting. Moving together. That’s Physical Literacy.
So next time you find yourself at a game, whether it’s in a big arena or a small community gym, take a moment. Look beyond the play. Watch the people. Listen to the sounds. Notice the small moments. Because sometimes, what happens between the whistle matters the most.