AIBU to feel overwhelmed trying to get my son into sport?

Have you asked the school? They can normally recommend clubs and potentially have contact details? I've found rugby teams are more approachable than football teams, maybe contact your local club

Sometimes an incident like this can just be the straw that breaks the camels back. I'm sure we've all been there where something trivial upset us more than it perhaps should have.

Why do you want him to join an activity run by some horrible shouty man? That wou be a hard no from me. No one talks to me like that.

Also there are loads of opportunities for kids his age. They don’t all have to be team sports. What about Beavers? Or martial arts? A climbing club? Gymnastics or parkour? Art classes?

Social media and word of mouth is the way to find things. But don’t sign him up for something awful and shit like this football club just because it seems like a boy thing to do.

What a stupid, mean post. Are you like this irl too?

It's coming up to the school holidays and I anticipate that you will have lots of clubs locally who will do holiday clubs. Could you try booking him on to a couple of holiday clubs? Don't restrict yourself to football as there's so many other sports to try. Some sports can have waiting lists for clubs, don't be too upset.
Pop a post up on some of your local Facebook pages. Any neighbouring town you can try?
Also message your local sports clubs theorugh social media if you've had no response then try again over email, don't give up. It may just be a case that coaches are busy, many have day jobs alongside coaching evenings and weekends

Agree with this -
a lot of sports organisers / coaches are volunteers so yes, pester put yourself out there and be nice to people !!

You sound so oversensitive! Just chill out. Why do you want to cry just because someone told you to get proper kit? Why is it relevant that he has no men in his life?

Yes you'd be better to go on social media to find them. But there's shitloads of after school options: running, hockey, football, sea cadets, scouts, judo, young farmers, swimming, choir, cycling .... the list is endless. You do however need to be persistent and find a spine. Who gives a shit about being embarrassed? Who cares that you don't get emails back. Suck it up and pester people. It's they who are at fault for not replying not you.
You're doing it for your son so stop fannying around and be a little braver.

Does he want to do football ?
Are there any cub / scout groups in your area
my youngest loved it ( many moons ago)

Sport England run tennis and cricket things for kids in summer - my daughter tried both, might be too late in the season now. What about climbing? Cubs? Start thinking about winter sports - tag rugby, hockey? There’s also cycling - often youth schemes on mountain bikes?

Come on ….
the answer is right here staring you in the face !!
get him long socks and shin pads and go back next week -
the other women were fine to you
coaches in sport are often gob-shites
so u gonna be a sports kids mum, put your thick skin suit on and get back out there !!!

• don’t bother snapping back at me, I’m giving u good advise !😬

It's because she mentioned football. If it had been tennis it'd be met with "Oh how lovely! What a fabulous skill!"

ffs everyone asking why the OP wanting to get in to sports… 🤦🏻‍♀️

Don't let that stop you. Seriously, don't. It sounds like some of the mums there are supportive which is a good thing.

Going against the grain, I would not take him back to the same football sessions as he sounds awful. They are not all dickish coaches as some have suggested, though they do exist and I wouldn't let DS play for one as this age. Our coach (DS is about to go into Under 8s) is a dad of one of the players and a lovely guy.

It is the wrong time of year though. We have one session left, one final tournament and then that's it until September. Rugby round here is even shorter - nothing from May until September. Our council (Wiltshire) does football based holiday day camps which might be worth a look?

Football is actually a tough one as it's quite tightly regulated and coaches need to be approved, they will be strict on stuff like shin pads for safety. It's also really popular so spaces fill up, and I've found it quite competitive (e.g. my son is not good at it so wasn't really wanted on any teams). What does he like? Maybe try another sport, places like karate clubs were super easy to just book a spot on and my son loved that, or swimming lessons. I can see why you want him to be healthy and to try these things but theres a lot more out there than football. He will also do football at school but might not do judo, karate, riding, etc etc so if you want him to spread his wings pick something like that.

Try hockey, there are loads of teams. Google ones in your area or try the England Hockey website. Same with cricket and tennis.

Don't get upset. It's hard on your own and just feeling a bit out of the loop. Something I have learned is that so many clubs especially sport are ran by parents in their spare time so websites/communication isn't great because they aren't necessarily running it like a business if that makes sense. Lots is word of mouth or social media. RE the guy shouting at football. Look into rugby. I found football to be taken so seriously by both coaches and parents even at a really small age and just found it a bit "much". My son then went on to play rugby and it just all felt a bit more chill whilst still enjoying the training, matches, tournaments etc. My son also trains at our local amateur boxing club (which was incredible for fitness). The guy who ran it ran it alongside his full time work, so granted there wasn't an all singing all dancing website, paid cash every week etc. However I then found everyone involved to be good "old fashioned" people who became an amazing support network for both me and my son knowing we didn't have a male around.

Involvement in sport is absolutely crucial for all children of all ages. It has so many physical and mental benefits. I appreciate you want your son to get involved with sports to make friends but he will get so much more than "just" friendships from taking part. Given you're not sporty, and you're a single Mum (so you only have two hands to juggle life), I have to say kudos to you for pushing the sports.

It's very sad that some sports can be so cliquey. Unfortunately, in those instances, you will either have to find a different club or just rise above it. Some people are arseholes, and that won't change. It's not a reflection on you, it's entirely on them.

I'm so glad you're getting your child into sports. Whatever he ends up doing, his life will be richer for it.

Just some things worth bearing in mind - you might need to rock up at a session to find out how you go about joining but please don't expect your child to be able to join on that occasion (so don't build their hopes up). It's worth getting there 10-15 minutes ahead of time so you can catch the coach before they're embroiled. Some sports also have quite strict rules for safety reasons and coaches may need to hammer those home - don't be offended if they're direct about it, it's not a slight on you (shouting is not being direct, and was entirely out of order, unless the coach was trying to shout across a noisy pitch!).

You might find it a bit difficult to find your way, as a parent, at the beginning if you're not used to being involved in sports but it won't be long before it's all familiar to you and you'll then be more confident rocking up at different sessions.

Good luck ☺️

All Stars Cricket is nationwide. They have probably all finished for this season, but Google it and get onto email list for next year. They are brilliant.
Try going to your local swimming pool to ask about lessons.
Try the local sports centre and see what they have on.
If it is about building confidence then definitely get him into beavers, cubs and scouts.
Good luck x

Do you have a local YMCA? They usually run kids football clubs and you can phone or email them directly.
Definitely recommend junior parkrun, DS found kids from his school there too.
Most people do ask on local Facebook groups for recommendations.
What about Musical Theatre if the sport thing doesn't pan out?

If a coach is like that then I would hesitate sending your child back especially if they are shy or quieter. Football can be a tricky one to get into especially as they get older. Is there any hockey close by? That usually starts at 7. Rugby is another good fun sport for boys. Martial Arts could be good too. Other options could be Beavers? Stagecoach or similar would be good to meet friends and build confidence (if I remember reading that right?)

I think you are doing the right thing OP, so long as your DS definitely wants to do sport.

Our DS started in reception at the football thing that you could just turn up to. A lot of boys from his class went along and he got involved in a team with people he met there.

Cricket was also great! I was glad when he knocked swimming on the head though!!

I think boys who are into sport have an easier time socially in my experience!

Yes, join Facebook … this is wear most things are advertised and you can join local groups to find clubs. I’ve found that a lot of the clubs don’t use Google.

I do get this OP as a non sporty mum trying to support my DS with sport- he really wanted to play cricket and has joined a local club but it’s been really hard to get information about the basics - like what kit he needs. And even when I’ve bought it it’s not always straightforward- I’ve no idea how to put on a cricket box and it’s not something the club can help with! They seem to think that we should just know…

The coach shouldn't have shouted at you, but he is right, children do need to wear shin pads, socks and propper boots.

It is notoriously hard to get hold of people as a lot of grassroots football clubs are ran by volunteers,but persevere and eventually someone will reply.

Now is a good time to search as the new season will start in September and clubs will be looking for players, but a lot of posts go on social media advertising for players. Can you create an account so you can join local groups , as that is where a lot of teams advertise for players.

Cricket is very inclusive too, but it is obviously only a summer sport.