Medals are bad? Athletic competition is bad? Really? From what I’ve seen, competitive athletics encourages excellence, teamwork, and effort.
But this is apparently now verboten.
And don’t even think about medals and trophies!
And I’m not speaking as some sideline soccer Dad. I coached youth soccer in Nepean and Gloucester for about ten years. I’m certified. I’ve run countless practices and drills and have coached scores of games. I know what I’m talking about.
And yes, medals and trophies are expected.
The awarding of medals at the end of the season is an annual tradition for soccer clubs in the city, just as it is for hockey, baseball, and I would guess most organized sports. The medals are normally awarded at a team’s annual banquet.
And this is what the folks at Ottawa South United (the City’s largest soccer league) expected to pick up when a rep dropped by the offices of the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association (EODSA). But….
Skill development is vital. Don’t get me wrong. But skills can be talk in a competitive environment. And it is this combination that beings out the best in most if not all players.
So my reaction is somewhat predictable : screw your head back on the right way. EODSA!
BUT, as it turns out, this goes deeper than soccer. Brian Lilley (which I have NEVER EVER referenced until now – our politics are a little different and he writes for those Sun reactionaries..) points out the following in his blog:
Yeah, I saw parents get carried away – even in the rec leagues that I coached in… but is this not going way too far? Kids want to know what the score was. They want to have winner and a loser (oops, sorry, “almost-winner”). I have seen this first hand!
Sigh. So, when can we expect Mr. Pendulum to swing back to a more sane position? Soon, I hope.
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I on th other hand remember a time when there were no organized leagues or game for kids under 8 years old. Up till then we kids organized our own games and got along fine without parents, team uniforms, sponsors, refs, coaches etc. Now the moment a kid looks at a ball or puck they are enrolled in “organized sport”, to make sure they develop their full potential. Too bad kids can’t just play games any more but certainly without adult supervision, organization and score keeping, we couldn’t expect them to have fun.
You mean, like, “let kids go outside and play”… is that even legal any more?
It is. With a permit.
Agreed, Dave. Some parents do just that. But there’s nothing wrong with rewarding success for organised sports.
If it’s all about skills, why do they even play actual games, let alone keep score. Skills can be developed through drilling.
I couldn’t believe this when I read it in the paper.