It's been reported today by the BBC that a Junior Football League in Telford, Shropshire has began censoring Sunday grassroots youth football scored to 'protect the welfare of players'.
'The Telford Junior league said regardless of actual scores, it would list games as 1-0, 0-1 or 0-0'.
As a coach I am all about the welfare of the players in my team but I do feel here that this decision has been made not for the benefit of the child but the adult. The U13 team I coach in Greater London have lost their last 3 league games 13-2, 13-2 and 13-1. Not any of the players talked about the score line, only that they had been beaten. The only people who made a fuss about the score were the parents.
The last time I checked, youth football was for kids, not adults.
It's the parents and coaches who are embarrassed to talk about scores with other parents and coaches from other teams.
This then poses the question, what/who is youth football there for, the result/the adult? Surely not for kids, that would be stupid...
The article goes on to quote Richard Biffin, chairman of Admaston Juniors. He said "Children's welfare has to come first...One young goalkeeper cried after 20 goals and that's not right".
What I would say to that is why did he cry? Was it only that he conceded 20 goals in a match or was it that he conceded 20 goals in a match and cried because he was put under unnecessary pressure from coaches, parents, ADULTS! That he was made to feel that the match was so important he couldn't make a mistake and in doing so would let down the coach and everyone on his team?
The goalkeeper in my team, having conceded 39 goals in 3 games still comes to training with a massive smile on his face. He plays with no fear and no pressure. Why? Because his parents and his coaches encourage, praise and support him in what he does, good or 'bad'. With the good things we tell him why they were good and with the 'bad', we try to improve him as a player and build on his experience and game knowledge so that the 'bad' can slowly disappear.
The article goes on to quote Richard Biffin, chairman of Admaston Juniors. He said "Children's welfare has to come first...One young goalkeeper cried after 20 goals and that's not right".
What I would say to that is why did he cry? Was it only that he conceded 20 goals in a match or was it that he conceded 20 goals in a match and cried because he was put under unnecessary pressure from coaches, parents, ADULTS! That he was made to feel that the match was so important he couldn't make a mistake and in doing so would let down the coach and everyone on his team?
The goalkeeper in my team, having conceded 39 goals in 3 games still comes to training with a massive smile on his face. He plays with no fear and no pressure. Why? Because his parents and his coaches encourage, praise and support him in what he does, good or 'bad'. With the good things we tell him why they were good and with the 'bad', we try to improve him as a player and build on his experience and game knowledge so that the 'bad' can slowly disappear.
A really interesting topic of conversation. Your thoughts welcome.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-15255060
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-15255060
No comments:
Post a Comment