I'm involved in helping out with a local junior football team. Not in a coaching or organisational capacity, I'm just an occasional extra body to tidy up after tournaments and sometimes sell the coffee to parents! The junior teams train once in the week and they have matches most weekends.
One little lad who goes, (I know his aunt) for whatever reason is not in the "squad" for his age group next season. But this chap turns up for training every week, takes part and puts in effort and really enjoys himself too. I feel bad on his behalf that they haven't included him in the actual team so he will get to train every week but not play in the matches- but is this just how it goes with kids level sport?
I wasn't very good at any sports at school, despite actually enjoying some of it, and this may be just my experiences making me feel for him (in P.E, all rosy faced and hopeful but then never picked). Not saying by the way that this boy isn't good at sport, have no idea at all on that, just that I know how it feels to not make the team.
The reason I am throwing myself to the mercy of the Mumsnet jury is that I've not had to deal with childrens teams before- my own children are older and never expressed an interest in taking part, but I'm involved because my husband helps run the adult side and when the younger teams need bodies to help, and they put out an "all hands on deck" request for assistance my husband will occasionally volunteer me bless him I don't mind giving them a hand.
This AIBU is a genuine one in that I honestly don't know whether this is just how childrens football works. It's not an indignant AIBU where I have a very firm opinion already!
So AIBU to think that teams should reward children for their support of the club (good training attendance, effor etc) by including them on the team?