Yes (head in hands), I became “One of those parents”.

 

You know the ones that stands at the sides yelling support for the team, then yelling at the ref…

Well, OK, I didn’t yell at the ref, I had a discussion as he came off the pitch at a rugby festival.

Preston Grasshoppers Rugby festival, my 10 year old was playing along with other age groups from 7-12.

All in all a good day.

Fantastically fun, well organised (even the food and drink sales), the health and safety side was even catered for.

The Hornets (Kendal)  were winning all their games, sorry, they were ruling their games, they were on fire, no one could stop them, most of the tries were 1/3, 2/3 of the field runs, i mean there are some seriously good players on this team. Every member gave 120% in each match and the all the parents stood open mouthed at how the team shone and worked together demolishing each opponent like skittles when they faced the hornets on the field.

Barr a Preston “volunteer” official.

then I turned, it was Jekyll and Hyde..   OK so maybe it wasn’t but i had to mention the fact he added minutes on to allow his team to draw.

I just couldn’t help myself, Preston were holding their own scoring the first two tries, then Kendal turned on the power and 4 in a row.

They were not even being demolished like the other teams, Preston held their own.

Those Preston kids could have held their heads up they held out against a superior team.

why cheat?

I couldn’t help myself he did it to get a draw!

A DRAW!

It wasn’t even to win!

What a cheek..

So i spoke out,  then, and he dared me to complain.  (Second mistake lol)

Thank you I will!

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to praise the club for the Festival held at the end of April, it was a very enjoyable day for players and parent alike.

I am looking forward already to the next one.

I did find it unfortunate that one of the day’s referees marred the day by sportsman like behaviour in the Preston Grasshoppers U10 match against Kendal.

The Kendal lads have worked very hard (as had all the players taking part and not taking part) and this chaps behaviour all though not spoiling the day for them, certainly made an impression.

The reason I am writing this letter is that with the conduct he showed during the game and after the game towards myself was not in the positive light of the day.

The Gentleman in question introduced himself as “Mark SwindleHurst”, (although I believe this was to make mockery of not just my complaint and me, but that of the Kendal Coach also).

{Editor: “I mean seriously Swindle hurst? haha my side split”}

{Editor: not.}

If he was using an alias, it shows the chaps lack of respect for both the Preston Grasshoppers badge, code and the conversation he had with myself and the Kendal Coach.

During the closely fought game, he ensured a draw (robbing the Kendal team of a well-deserved grand slam at the festival), teaching his team that sportsmanship doesn’t count even when there is nothing to “win” and attempted to demoralise and rob the Kendal kids of the fruit of their well-earned labour over the last 6 months.

The chap officiating added 2 minutes onto the first half, and 3 minutes onto the second, stopping the match after the grasshoppers had scored (getting the draw) in the final half.

I teach my children that there is no winning in cheating, and all the chap could have done is taken a well-deserved 5 out of 5 from a group of young kids.

At one point he mentioned to me “there are no winners today”, in which case why did he feel the need to cheat? It makes his actions all the more pointless. All it has done is dirtied the name of the Preston Club and left a stain on the day as a whole.

I did welcome when one of the Grasshoppers under 10’s started back chatting me, he was told to “can it”.

There is a serious side to this situation, the kids at 9 and 10 will continue to play till they collapse, they will not admit they are tired or hurt, I feel his actions bring a safety issue to the table.

Now presuming that the halves were limited to 6 minutes due to the amount of games played and the ages of the kids, this instigates a safeguarding issue, and as a parent I find that wholly irresponsible.

Both by the club and the chap involved.

He claimed that “he was just a dad volunteering” so maybe further health and safety training and Officiating training (and a gentle reminder of the club’s code of conduct) is required for any parents willing to give up their valuable time to help with these days in the future.

This day was “just for fun”, but cheating has no place in “just for fun” or competitive sports, and only teaches are kids that things like “ball tampering” are ok if you don’t get caught.

I have taken the liberty to attach your clubs code of conduct, with highlighted observations, that I feel were not adhered too or made a mockery of.

I do however feel that in this case, as long as the health and safety side of the day is observed in the future, that a written apology to the club and parents by the chap involved will satisfy in this case.

Sincerely

 

Mat MacEley-Young

Young players should recognise that many people in Rugby Union are working to provide a safe and enjoyable game in which they can develop both as a player and as an individual.

In Rugby Union players are encouraged to:

• Recognise and appreciate the efforts made by coaches, parents, match officials and administrators in providing them with the opportunity to play the game and enjoy the rugby environment

• Understand the values of loyalty and commitment to adults and team mates

• To understand that if an individual or group of young players feel that they are not being treated in a manner that is acceptable, they have the right to tell an adult either at the rugby club or outside of the game

In Rugby Union, as a young player, you should:

• Play because you want to not to please coaches or parents

• Remember skill development, fun and enjoyment are the most important parts of the game

• Be attentive at all training / coaching sessions

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team, both will benefit

• Check your kit to ensure you comply with the Laws

• Recognise good play by ALL players on your team and by your opponents

• Be a sportsman – win or lose

• Play to the laws of the game and accept, without question, all the referee’s decisions

• Control your emotions. Verbal or physical abuse of team-mates, opponents or match officials IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

• Treat all players as you would like to be treated. Do not interfere with, bully or take unfair advantage of any player