to wonder when ds will be invited to play in the matches (football)

[Ceci03]

soooo ds joined a football team last night. U12's. The parents were telling me the team plays matches on Sundays. Would anyone know how long it will be before the coach lets ds join in the matches? Last night the coach just said to come back next Monday. I'm presuming he has to 'settle in' before being allowed play in matches? Bit new to this - in his previous team, as soon as a boy joined, he was automatically included in matches, so I'm wondering how to manage DS expectations. TIA

That sounds a bit strange. Usually they would be invited to the match straight away even if just to watch. Or maybe sit on the subs bench and play a bit of the game.
I think you ned to ask the coach what is going to happen so you can let DS know what to expect.

I found a lot of things surrounding junior football both baffling and annoying.

They wouldn't even let my son join in training! Now... he's not very good but he plays at school and he is willing to work hard etc. But no.. they only want match calibre boys.

I'd get this if it was Manchester United - I struggled to understand with a very small town team of children!

It is NOT inclusive

hmm, it's the second team he's tried. the first one was the same - I'd hear about the matches from the other parents, but ds wouldn't be invited to play. this team seemed very friendly though so I'll give it a couple of weeks and then ask the coach maybe. coach is a bit scary lol!!!!

I think its really important you communicate with the coach - ask him what the processes are just as you said in your OP "because you want to manage DS's expectations".

I was a coach (of a different team sport) and would have happily discussed this with new members of the club.

He will need to be registered with the league in which the team plays, I imagine - this can take a couple of weeks. Once he's registered I would expect him to be in the match squad every week (I've seen some teams with squad sizes more than 16, in which players have to miss out the odd week...a bit rum in my opinion), and he should get some game time each week - ideally the same amount of time as all the other kids.

Old club i was linked to required attendance at 3 sessions before included in games, but it was clearly explained. I would just ask

so I'll give it a couple of weeks and then ask the coach maybe.
Don't wait a couple of weeks not knowing! just ask him how it works.

Message the coach today op and ask. Grassroots football is supposed to be inclusive of everyone and everyone should play in matches whether they’re brilliant or distinctly average. I appreciate that this doesn’t always happen though.

IIRC we had to fill in a shed load of forms to both join the team and enrol in the relevant league, then had to submit them with passport size photos.

My DS had wait a few weeks before he could play in the matches...they have to wait for paperwork etc to be completed before they are covered to play. He went along to all the training and joined the matches a few weeks after. Just check with the coach

Yes - they have to be registered, also the coach will want to see him at training as he will probably only want him to play of he is at the same standard as the rest of his team.