Movie Analysis: Forever Strong

“I don’t do ANYTHING to embarrass myself, my team and my family.” Rick Penning began to live by this after his life-changing experience with the Highland Rugby team with Larry Gelwix as coach. Forever Strong is a movie that shows how a boy can be changed into a man with guidance from someone who cares less about winning, but more about making his players better people. Rick Penning was a high school rugby player who was the captain of his team where all of his teammates, including himself, resorted to doing drugs and drinking. One night he decided to drive drunk and seriously injure another person, resulting in him being sentenced to a Boys’ Juvenile Detention Center. He then was put on the infamous Highland Rugby team and began

Each member has to play for the team, not himself. In the movie, Rick was one to play for himself. He learned the hard way that that will get you nowhere. The way to success is to work as a team and build good team chemistry. This was shown when Gelwix required his team to go help out at a local children’s hospital. The team came together to help do some yard work and play with the children there. Highland also believed in a brotherhood among the past and future players. The team had a pregame chant that stood for everything they believed in as a program. The “Kia Kaha” says, “respect for our family, and our ancestors. We stand on this field ready for battle. On our backs we feel the might of tradition, remembering and honoring our family and ancestors who have gone before. Over our hearts we bear the emblem to die for.” Gelwix also believed in his players and who they could become. Gelwix believed in Rick 100 percent and believed that he could change for the better. He pushed Rick to his limits to see the true potential he possessed. He was dedicated to his team. He wanted the boys to focus on what lies ahead and not to focus on what happened in the past because you can’t change what happened then. He also wanted his players not just to be the best rugby player, but the best men they could be. Gelwix was a coach that inspired his players for a common purpose of becoming the best versions of