Girls football coach wants to drop players

[Joselyn1976]

My daughter plays football recently the coaches have been putting in group chats messages about children being dropped cause they not good enough WOW what happened about it taking part that matters my child trys her best since when has football become so bad my son was a player 10years ago they lose most games he played for district his team never dropped the players I'm shocked any team would do this

Isn't the aim of football for both sides to want to win?

Or are girls just meant to run around in circles waving their nails around?

If tge aim is to win then they need to select the best players

Why is competition such a bad thing?

Its a fundamental missing part of education that prepares kids for the cut and thrust of the real world. So many kids are set up to fail because they don't have the resilience that comes from winning and losing.

It's a competitive sport. Of course they can stop players.

The problem with 'it's the taking part that matters' is that...it doesn't work in a team sport.

Because kids will be kids. And they know. And some of them want to win.

It's ok when they're really young. I think I remember dd being in a match when she was about 7 and she thought they'd won. She had scored a goal so I think that was why. But they lost 6-1.

And then when she was the worst on the team a bit older, she knew. She knew the coach didn't want her on the pitch, she knew her team mates would look for someone else to pass to. And it made her feel like shit. Regardless of how much anyone bigged her up. She knew.

I really wish she had been 'dropped'. She could have played with other players of her ability, and it would have been a much more pleasant experience.

Girls football is no different to boys football in this regard and i agree that although harsh, if you are on a competitive team that wants to win, dropping the player's that arent at that level has to be done - should be with kindness & pointed in the direction of other teams at a lower ability that they could play for.

My adult dd plays football at a high level (used to play for an academy) & has always played for a team with girls at a similar level, those that weren't able to match that were dropped. But, her team always had trials before you were allowed so they knew the score.

There are so many different ability leagues in football that everyone who wants to play should be able to, but they may have to change teams to find the right one for them.

You need to remember that a lot of the kids want to win and having team members that are clearly not at the same level as the rest of team frustrates them and isn't good for those kids self esteem either as they will know they aren't up to it. Much better for everyone if they can find a team at the right ability as them.

For some kids they just enjoy playing, for others they are extremely good at it and play to win & that's not a bad thing. Not everything can be for everyone.

clubs normally make their ethos and policies clear. You’ll find some clubs or teams are openly selective and others have a more inclusive attitude. There’s no right or wrong- more a choice on what suits your child and you.
However, removing players mid season is odd

Would she consider trying rugby? It's far more inclusive of different abilities especially at junior ages as there are positions for all sizes and speeds and the different growth sports means they develop at different rates. Has the added advantage that it is single sex post 11 which sadly is no longer guaranteed for football.

This, it really isn't fun if your team loses every week. Sports teams play to win.

The issue comes when parents are paying the same amount in subs but their children are playing much less than others. The Welsh FA are quite strict on keeping playing time fair in mini and junior football; I'm not sure how it is in England.

Mind you, with the advent of the awful "academies" everywhere, I find that the more competitive parents prefer to pay 100s a month for their mini Ronaldos to play in different leagues.

Up until about 10 it should primarily be about teaching them the rules of the game and making sure they're active. I've noticed it's becoming common in my area to now have teams that are pitched as being casual/fun from about 11 which I think is great.

Mine dances but used to compete in gymnastics and trampolining... every competitive team she's ever been on, the kids are always at risk of being dropped or not selected or not taken to comp if they aren't performing or working hard or at the right standard. It's the nature of competitive sport.

These girls have been playing together for years made friendship I understand it's competitive they took too many players on ..there isn't many local teams to move too.. isn't sport for all their kids don't get dropped

We are paying subs .. our child doesn't get picked every game but she would rather play once than never

They don't lose every game lost two out of 8 games the coach is in my opinion over reacting

We're not a football family but the sport we do play streams by ability and anyone who turns out for training gets a match that's fit for their skill set. I hate football in this country it's taken far too seriously.

Look for a development team or switch to rugby. It's normal for there to be lots of new players in the teen years and they are guaranteed (at least in my county) to play at least 1/2 a match (if the want) whether they are a star player or brand new.

They want us to pay subs even if your child never plays.. can train but never get pick unfortunately the area l live has no other girls team they took on more players even though can only take so many to games .. then put it in a group chat about some be in a better team in division four ..the team is currently division two ..

Find a different sport. Netball, rugby, hockey, cricket all have club level activity and are far more inclusive (and cheaper).

These are 11 year old girls who played together a few years their club says they take pride in making football fun and where they can maintain friendships and learn lesson along the way .. and taking part matters then throw dummies out of pram cause they lost two games blames subs going on.. how does that make the parent of the child feel seeing that in a group chat

Encourage the girls to join other sports or form a new team. Have you approached any local boys teams and asked if they'd set up a girls squad? One is ready to go...

She doesn't run around in circles waving her nails 😔 she trys her best

I think you're misreading the tone of our comments. We're on your side.

Sorry OP this is completely normal at around this age. My DS's have been on both sides of it. It is hard, especially when kids have been playing together for a while. But it's normal and to be expected.

There will probably be another league they can play in, a lower league.

Our child plays and plays in the lowest league for their age group.

The team hopes to move up, but who knows, the team is often abysmal 🤣🤣 but sometimes not, and they play well.

Its all character building 😀

The issue we have is there isn't many irls teams in area .. but we will look into moving her the issue I had was the Wats apt group message and the things what was said it was up to us to move or just train no game play