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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Or is kids football and sports in tier 4 ridiculous?

94 replies

Puddingypops · 01/01/2021 12:18

I think I’m going to get flamed by soccer mums but anyway...

My lad plays football and now we are told all under 18 football will continue, even while schools are closed and we are in tier 4??!

Do they not realise this is ridiculous? Regardless of other guidance I know kids whose families do not drive so will be getting lifts to training and matches, parents stood close together shouting their heads off during training and matches, kids coming into close contact and yet more excuses of, well they play football together so can go to each others houses blah blah blah.

This now puts me in the situation of allowing my son to play or being the bad guy, I’m ECV and feel under so much pressure!

I know plenty will tell me “think about the children” but it’s freezing anyway, my daughter cannot attend any of her dancing or drama groups but my son can go and train 3 times a week plus matches but can’t go to school???? WTAF!!!!

OP posts:

danadas · 01/01/2021 15:13

We are Tier 3 and our FA have cancelled football until at least 18 Jan. The FA does cover a Tier 4 area too though.

frustrationcentral · 01/01/2021 23:07

DS1 is still going to play rugby, they're not starting back until college is back though. They have strict rules over lift sharing, players lingering around after training and no parents are allowed to watch a

Blackdog19 · 01/01/2021 23:14

We’re tier 4 and football has been cancelled as our training grounds are shut

pinbinpin · 01/01/2021 23:16

I'd be happy for my kids to play football. But they can't. Because they live in Surrey and their club in in London, about 500m up the road. Even though both are in T4.

dootball · 01/01/2021 23:16

I always thought this was the most ridicules thing, schools couldn't play sports fixtures last term, but they could go and play for a club where there may be people from 5/6/7 different schools all mixing together, against another team from all different schools.

scrappydappydoo · 01/01/2021 23:25

Oh all hail the almighty football.
It is not the only sport. My dc cannot do their sport which is equally important to their mental health but as long as football can go ahead well then the world will be alright.
Honestly if getting outdoor exercise is important send them on training runs or get them practice skills in the park or garden on their own.

AIMD · 01/01/2021 23:29

Yea I agree that sounds silly to me.
Kids by and large can’t/don’t socially distance, so can’t imagine kids socially distancing from their mates before/after a match.

Just seems unneccissary really.

wonderstuff · 01/01/2021 23:38

We're T4, I'm a teacher, I think that my dd football training is safer than going to school, and actually more important for her mental health.
I think the league games might be suspended, and that seems reasonable, but I'd be gutted if training stopped, its really difficult for children to exercise on their own.
Last training session the adults were making far more efforts to distance than previous weeks.

annevonkleve · 02/01/2021 13:18

We are tier 4 and my son's athletics is continuing. Long may it continue - there is nothing else to do.

If you don't like something, you don't need to do it. There's no need to stop it for others. Same goes for schools. You don't need the government to make decisions for you. If you don't want your children to go to school on Monday, don't send them.

cocodomingo · 02/01/2021 13:34

Well don't send yours but agreed it is illogical, however...its a beacon of light, exercise and mental wellbeing for my DS so while its allowed on...he will be attending .

NameChange84 · 02/01/2021 13:38

My friend is in Tier 4 and her 9 year old is still
dancing 5 nights and 9-13 Saturday Mornings every week!

OTannenbaum · 02/01/2021 13:43

I think outdoor sports are low risk and it’s good for children’s mental and physical health to continue. But I feel sorry for kids like my son who is not at all sporty and all his activities have been shut down while his sporty peers activities continue - he used to do drama, tap and street dance, chess club, choir, orchestra, writing club etc but they have all stopped. I get that they are indoor activities and therefore have higher risk but it doesn’t totally sit right with me that the tiny bit of physical activity he had going on in dance has ground to a halt 😢

jojojowo · 02/01/2021 13:47

Football and other sports are so important for mental health and physical fitness. I'm absolutely desperate to play but being 3 months too old means I can't. I don't care about all the other aspects of Uni and life we're missing out on cos obviously controlling the virus is important. But other things are to and I need something for stress relief and enjoyment.

RichFran · 02/01/2021 15:43

I would have said I was relaxed about it, but this morning I was running (by myself) in out local (tier 4) park and was amazed to see about eight organised kids' football games/training taking place in a small area. A hundred + kids in tight bundles, with spectators. If they have all been indoors with different families over Christmas there must be a big risk with the new variant. Can't understand why this is allowed when NYE street parties street were (sensibly) not.

Londonmummy66 · 02/01/2021 15:49

I agree - when cases first began to rise in the north east grass roots sports was one of the top 3 causes.

shallbe · 02/01/2021 16:15

Our football training is indoors, I'm not sure where that leaves us? Assuming matches will go ahead as outdoors.

Indecisive12 · 02/01/2021 16:19

Tier 4 and also fine with it. Glad it’s going ahead as find it very beneficial to DS.

PoppiesinOctober · 02/01/2021 16:26

@Sexnotgender

It’s nonsense. I can’t even send my toddler to fucking nursery.

Not really a great comparison

AIMD · 02/01/2021 16:38

@RichFran

Yes this is the issue. It’s not much much the sport itself but children getting close before/after, parents huddling about in groups, people care sharing etc.

It Just strikes me as odd when so much else has stopped. I think small group outdoor activities is one thing, but larger groups with spectators shouldn’t be happening in my opinion.

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