I have sat on this post for a couple of weeks now to decide whether I really needed/wanted to post it, or am I just having a bit of a rant because it is natural to want to protect those nearest and dearest to you? Whilst I have decided it may still come across as a bit of a rant, I still feel compelled to post it. This would have to be version 5, I have rewritten it that many times. So here goes ...
During this time of the ICC Cricket World Cup, a goodly portion of the world is focussed on the competition currently being played in Australia and New Zealand. There are many other cricket competitions going on throughout the world at the moment too, and #2 plays in one of those.
#2 is in the local Under 12's cricket competition. He trains twice a week formally, and plays on Saturday mornings. His coach is fantastic and his team try their best, recently however, without much luck.
Not too long ago, there was a district competition and he was selected in one of the 'A' teams. Without a doubt, this was the highlight of his life so far. With this selection comes the opportunity to be selected for the district development squad, which has been his goal since picking up a cricket bat for the first time 18 months ago.
Undoubtedly, he was in a side with 11 other talented young cricketers, playing against other talented young cricketers from surrounding districts - competition was going to be tough. So how did he go? He played three games over the long weekend and was dismissed for 3, 7 and a duck (zero for the uninitiated). Bowled two overs which resulted in a runout, kept wickets for 10 overs and affected a 'direct hit' runout from his fielding. Not a bad first effort at district level.
Each of the three games consisted of 36 overs per side (a total of 108 in the weekend). The coach saw fit to sit #2 on the sidelines for 22 of these overs, far more than any other player (some of which were not sat off at all) - you are only allowed 11 players on the field Katy any time, and this team had 12. Every other player bowled at least 3 overs per game, and every other keeper had at least 18 overs behind the stumps to prove themselves. His batting positions were 9, 7 and 10 respectively.
What explanation did the coach offer #2 for this seeming lack of opportunity? None - hence this post. All the coach could offer me was that he was a "polite young man". Now, he paid his fees like everyone else, turned up to training more than some of the others, so I can only be left to draw my own conclusions as to this inequitable behaviour on the part of the coach. It must be that #2 is simply not up to district standards. either that, or the coach was all about the win. Unfortunately for the coach, the "Coaches Code of Behaviour" for the Association states in black and white 3.6 - "Avoid overplaying talented players; all young players need and deserve equal time, attention and opportunities". The coach was unable to provide an adequate explanation (indeed any) as to why he ignored this rule. I have taken it up with the association, and am awaiting a response.
For the record, statistically, #2 is ranked 10th in the competition for all players (about 130) this season. He averages 22.7 with the bat and 18.3 with the ball. He has scored over 130 runs this so far this season.
Now I know I am a proud dad, but when your child is sat out for the fourth time in the weekend and says in tears, "What has this bloke got against me?", you have to act. If a 12 year old can see the inequity of the situation, then surely the adult coach must as well.
Well that's my rant, should I ever hear anything back from the association, I will update this post.
Until next time,
CfB
During this time of the ICC Cricket World Cup, a goodly portion of the world is focussed on the competition currently being played in Australia and New Zealand. There are many other cricket competitions going on throughout the world at the moment too, and #2 plays in one of those.
#2 is in the local Under 12's cricket competition. He trains twice a week formally, and plays on Saturday mornings. His coach is fantastic and his team try their best, recently however, without much luck.
Not too long ago, there was a district competition and he was selected in one of the 'A' teams. Without a doubt, this was the highlight of his life so far. With this selection comes the opportunity to be selected for the district development squad, which has been his goal since picking up a cricket bat for the first time 18 months ago.
Undoubtedly, he was in a side with 11 other talented young cricketers, playing against other talented young cricketers from surrounding districts - competition was going to be tough. So how did he go? He played three games over the long weekend and was dismissed for 3, 7 and a duck (zero for the uninitiated). Bowled two overs which resulted in a runout, kept wickets for 10 overs and affected a 'direct hit' runout from his fielding. Not a bad first effort at district level.
Each of the three games consisted of 36 overs per side (a total of 108 in the weekend). The coach saw fit to sit #2 on the sidelines for 22 of these overs, far more than any other player (some of which were not sat off at all) - you are only allowed 11 players on the field Katy any time, and this team had 12. Every other player bowled at least 3 overs per game, and every other keeper had at least 18 overs behind the stumps to prove themselves. His batting positions were 9, 7 and 10 respectively.
What explanation did the coach offer #2 for this seeming lack of opportunity? None - hence this post. All the coach could offer me was that he was a "polite young man". Now, he paid his fees like everyone else, turned up to training more than some of the others, so I can only be left to draw my own conclusions as to this inequitable behaviour on the part of the coach. It must be that #2 is simply not up to district standards. either that, or the coach was all about the win. Unfortunately for the coach, the "Coaches Code of Behaviour" for the Association states in black and white 3.6 - "Avoid overplaying talented players; all young players need and deserve equal time, attention and opportunities". The coach was unable to provide an adequate explanation (indeed any) as to why he ignored this rule. I have taken it up with the association, and am awaiting a response.
For the record, statistically, #2 is ranked 10th in the competition for all players (about 130) this season. He averages 22.7 with the bat and 18.3 with the ball. He has scored over 130 runs this so far this season.
Now I know I am a proud dad, but when your child is sat out for the fourth time in the weekend and says in tears, "What has this bloke got against me?", you have to act. If a 12 year old can see the inequity of the situation, then surely the adult coach must as well.
Well that's my rant, should I ever hear anything back from the association, I will update this post.
Until next time,
CfB
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