by RooShootOhh » Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:16 pm
As much iy would be great to be 'Fair' to everyone, what outcome do you get.
In this example, one club, for what ever reason fielded 18, down to 16 in the first 1/4 (if I read that correctly) and were getting comfortably done, EXPECT that the other club, with 22 players, to make 6 kids (instead on four) sit on the bench for over 3 qtrs as a sign of sportsmanship?
So what if your a parent of a kid who misses a heap of game time under the banner of sportsmanship.
Fully paid fees etc like every other kid out there, and what if that club has more than 22 players so they also have a rotation system wher they miss out on a game totally?
U/14's becomes the first level of competative footy in my eyes, so what if a kid misses a league B&F because his coach put him on the bench to help another team out (that kid then perhaps isnt recognised by a league club, doesn't play U18's at that league club, misses the draft etc).
Sportmanship is shown in a number of ways, and just because the club in question doesnt choose to penalise its own players, doesnt mean they didn't show any sportsmanship. if they were humble in defeat and played the game in good spirits, why isn't that enough?
Its always regrettable when junior teams struggle, but at some point (an age group in football), you cant keep wrapping them in cotton wool. Life isnt always fair, sport isnt either, as long as they are being taught the right life lessons, i think they will be ok.