Can someone explain to me why, when my daughter is perfectly legal to drive herself to the 8.40pm soccer game on a Friday night, I still insist on going? Gen X helicopter parenting at its finest right there.
Of course if I hadn’t gone I would have missed the spectacle of two teenage boys doing a streak across the field. Poor guys, they went to so much trouble and the girls didn’t notice and just kept on playing. Their only audience was the mothers on the sideline. It must have been a great disappointment to them.
Soccer dominates our winter, there’s training Tuesday and Thursday and games Friday night (yes people Friday night, it’s a deliberate cruelty to parents) and Saturday morning.
We parents are wrapped in blankets, hot water bottles and long johns shiver on the sideline (it’s cold on Friday nights in Kempsey). Alternatively, we find ourselves sweltering on suddenly warm Saturday mornings. We all get passionate about the game, and want our kids to do well.
However, this season has been interesting, not just for the nudie runs, but it’s been the first time I’ve witnessed up close some pretty poor behaviour by parents. One child had told me in the past she’s been yelled at from the sidelines “stupid b****”, “silly c***”, but I hadn’t heard it for myself.
In the last couple of weeks there’s been a mother screaming “get that up ya” when her team scored a goal and another yelling “wanker” at the ref. I’ve also heard of an all out brawl breaking out at one game (parents on the field brawling as well) with the police called. This is KIDS SPORT.
Given the refs and lines people are usually young teenagers themselves, earning a bit of pocket money on a weekend, it amazes me that adults can hurl abuse, when without them (and the coaches and other volunteers who give up time) their kids wouldn’t have any sport to play.
We really need a bit of perspective here, it ain’t the World Cup.
I thought it funny when I had to sign a “parent code of conduct” now I’m thinking there’s a few parents who need their code of conduct enforced.
Streaking in winter? Everyone was probably too cold to care!
I must say I am in awe of the tough younger set who brave outdoor sport in winter, but I truly admire their parents who suffer the extremes of the weather; watching, cheering and being taxi. Why do we do these things? We love ’em – the kids I mean 🙂
Pity about the poorly performing parents though….. perhaps the team should sign a petition to have their presence banned.
If it gets any worse I think something may need to be done in a more formal sense.
My boys are in Under 9s and Under 11s, and so far the behaviour of the parents, although loud and enthusiastic, has been respectful.
I can’t say the same for a kids’ rugby game my youngest son played last year. The coach of the opposing team was abusive to his own team and to the teenaged ref. There was foul language and general agro. I was sitting near as one of the officials walked by and he was being trailed by a group of parents queueing to complain about this coach. There was almost a brawl, as our (very large, but calm and reasonable) coach stepped in to diffuse the situation. Luckily there wasn’t, but it was a real eye-opener!
I know it’s quite shocking when you see it first-hand, your comment matches Pinky who says different sports attract different types.
I think some sport is worse than others. For example, (not pointing the finger) rugby league. Okay I pointed the finger but it’s true. Mine all played basketball where parents are a little more restrained.
That’s true, although I think aggressive parental personalities can be a problem anywhere, and sadly, it often filters down to the children too.