From Gaming Chair to the Jungle Throne: What Angry Ginge Can Teach Our Kids About Courage, Character & Stepping Up
Written by Emma Burke, Founder of Laceeze Defiance
As the founder of Laceeze and Defiance, I spend a lot of time around grassroots sport - watching young people grow through football, setbacks, teamwork and resilience. But I’m also writing this as a mum of two ambitious, footy-mad boys who, like so many children, have wrestled with nerves, self-doubt and confidence dips.
(Images courtesy of ITV)
So when Angry Ginge - a lad many kids (including my own) know for fun football content and chaotic humour - ended up crowned King of the Jungle, I watched with two lenses: as the sporting professional in me and as the mum who wants her children to believe in themselves.
His story might seem like light entertainment on the surface, but buried in it are powerful lessons I want my boys - and all kids - to hear.
Because this wasn’t really about fame. It was about stepping into the unknown, showing heart and surprising yourself.
Confidence Isn’t Something Kids Either “Have” or “Don’t” - It’s Built Through Trying
My sons, like many children, have had moments on the pitch where nerves almost froze them. Watching Angry Ginge take on the jungle reminded me - and them - that bravery rarely comes from being fearless. It comes from:
- consistently showing up
- taking part (even when we might not feel like it!)
- not knowing what will happen next (feeling that fear and going for it anyway - even when we know it might involve spiders!)
That’s something we repeat a lot at home: “Confidence grows after you try - not before."
Our Kids Learn Most When They Step Outside Their Comfort Zones
Whether it’s a first match with a new team, moving positions, or speaking up in class - to a child, these are their jungle trials.
Angry Ginge walked into something wildly outside his world and he knew he would face some of his biggest fears (not least spiders and time away from his family) but he did it and grew as a person because of it.
Kindness, Humility & Humour are Superpowers - On and Off the Pitch
What stood out to me - both professionally and as a parent - was that Angry Ginge didn’t win by being the loudest, strongest or most skilled. He won by making others feel safe, listening
(those heartwarming chats with Lisa and Ruby), encouraging
and by of course bringing joy to his fellow camp mates. In an era where children - especially in sport - can feel pressure to dominate, this was a brilliant reminder: Character beats ego (and even skill!) every time. This is something we lean into at Laceeze & Defiance, because grassroots sport isn’t just about winning - it’s about shaping young people.
Kids Need Role Models Who Feel Achievable - Not Perfect
I think all the people that voted for him did so precisely because he seems real.
He’s messy, funny, vulnerable, chaotic and flawed. And yet - he triumphed.
That sends a whisper to every child who worries they’re “not enough”:
“You don’t have to be polished to be powerful.”
As a parent, that message matters deeply.
These Stories Give us a Way to Talk to Our Kids About Courage
Here’s something I often asked my boys when they were young and playing weekend football:
“What would your challenge be right now?”
One would say:
“Taking a penalty when everyone is watching.”
The other would add:
“Joining a new training group where I don’t know anyone yet.”
It may seem minor to us but to them - this is their world - and it can feel very scary.
A Simple Brave Toolkit to Share with Our Children
Inspired by Angry Ginge, here’s how we can help inspire our grassroots community with this newly learned wisdom:
- Try one new thing each week
- Keep going even when it feels hard
- Be kind - it matters more than winning
- Laugh when things get tricky
Remember: courage grows because you use it, not because you’re born with it.
Small actions, big character.
At Laceeze and Defiance, we see firsthand how powerful sport can be - not just for developing skill, but shaping resilience, community and identity. Our wonderful community reminds me daily that children don’t need perfect heroes - they need possible ones.
Angry Ginge shows our kids that you can start from ordinary beginnings , you can try something new and win hearts and you don’t need to fit the stereotype of 'success' to belong.
That’s exactly the kind of message we want grassroots youth sport to amplify
A Final Thought From Our Laceeze Defiance Family to Yours
The next time your child doubts themselves - whether it’s stepping onto a pitch, starting a new activity, or facing a social challenge - remind them of Ginge's jungle story:
“Someone just like you tried something scary - and discovered they were capable of more than anyone imagined.”
At Defiance, that belief sits at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to help young people build resilience - not by avoiding challenges, but by learning to face them, grow through them and come out stronger on the other side.
Sport, life, and confidence all have one thing in common: they demand courage, setbacks, learning and bounce-back ability.
If Angry Ginge’s journey teaches us anything, it’s that greatness isn’t reserved for the fearless - it belongs to the ones who really try. And who knows… maybe your child is just one brave leap away from discovering their own crown.
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