How to tell sports coach that my son is leaving?

[cheesecakeandtrifle]

My son (aged 5) has been a member of a sports group for the last 18 months or so.
Never any issues until recently when a new boy joined and started causing endless bother for most of the other boys... Not sure what the situation is with the new boys (whether he's possibly neurodivergent or has special needs) but he's a damn nuisance tbh. Constant name-calling to the other boys, pushing them and generally making a show of himself.
I'm aware that at least 2 other parents have complained to the coach about him.
For the last couple of weeks my son has said he wants to leave the group because of this boy.
My son isn't physically scared of the boy (my son excels at karate and isn't shy about defending himself against bullies if necessary), but he just seems to find the boy draining and a damn nuisance.
He's asked me to tell the coach that he wants to leave, but how can I word my email in a diplomatic way? Obviously the coach is aware of this boy being a nuisance (due to 2 previous complaints), but I don't want to come accross nasty, although I do think it's important to leave the coach know the true reason for my son leaving (instead of making excuses like being too busy/tired etc to attend).
Any idea on how to word the email?

Because it has nothing to do with this thread. This isn’t about him quitting the karate club but another unrelated club.

pround mum

Can't your sons set up their own karate school? Since they're locally renowned and better than everyone?

He is 5. In 10 years time, I guarantee you are going to think back to this thread a cringe with embarrasment.

Check yourself before you become one of those mothers.

Dear Coach,

I would like to inform you that X will be leaving [activity] and his last session will be on DD/MM/YY. Unfortunately he is no longer enjoying the sessions due to the recently increased levels of disruption.

If there are any other sessions similar to this that you run that you think he would enjoy more, please do let me know.

Best regards,
Mrs Z

"Due to changed group dynamics Boy has trouble finding his enjoyment in the lessons. His last lesson will be xx date. If in future the group dynamics calm down a bit, would you let me know? Boy really enjoyed the lessons beforehand. Thank you so much for your teaching, Boy learnt so much from you.

Why do you need something drafted by others. Just ring the coach or at the next meet of the club use your ability of speech to say "This will be karate renowned son's last session."

Get the annoying kid to wax on and wax off a series of classic 1950s cars, paint both sides of a long garden fence and sand several hundred square meters of decking. That should teach him patience and control, failing that make him balance on a traffic cone while adopting the one leg crane manoeuvre to really emphasise the point.

This. As if the coach is going to give a shit notice.

Apart from being a bit cringey... I think you're overestimating how invested the coach is in your 5 year old. Just say he doesn't want to come any more so bye. Doesn't have to be a dramatic exit where you fire shots at another 5 year old. Honestly.

The dc are all five.
Five year olds drop in and out of things all the time.
Just say that you are leaving and when your last session will be.
If the coach asks why, tell him but I'm not sure that he will be that concerned.

So many snide replies. Some posters really are very unpleasant. Imagine getting your kicks being vile on a forum.

Not sure why they are trying to make OP feel bad. Could be jealousy, I guess.

Sad little lives.

Why not just say you’re giving the class the chop- the karate chop?

Maybe email Emma Raducanu, OP?

You could ask her how she broke it to her coach that she was leaving.

Why doesn't your prodigious little karate kid 前飛蹴 the annoying kid and be done with it? 🤷

I think an email is too informal. I'd get some Basildon Bond and an ink pen. Don't forget to plan your letter and do a rough copy first. Send by 1st class (2nd class is rude). I don't mind if you use the version below.

Dear Mr Instructor

I am awfully sorry to have to inform you that Dougie Howzer will no longer be attending your 'painting for 5 year olds' class.

The reason for this is that Brian Blessed seems to constantly command your attention and Dougie finds he cannot concentrate. I have encouraged him to use his superior karate skills on Brian but so far he has taken the higher road.

However, Dougie has spent 6 weeks on the 'flowers in an old vase' painting and he's no where near finishing. I find this terribly disappointing because this painting was to be gifted to Dougie's beloved grandmother during summer break.

Henceforth, Dougie will not be returning in September and instead will concentrate on his karate. He's a blue belt already but you probably know that because we are local celebrities.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Cheescake
What is the relevance of the karate?

My cat is a black belt in Judo 🥋 🐈‍⬛ and she's not 2 yet. She's been in The Mirror and Animal Weekly. She's even been interviewed by Nick Knowles and Jeremy Paxman (there's no relevance in me adding this to my post but I'm super proud of my cat so I tell everyone the same thing on every post I write).

🤣

...whether he's possibly neurodivergent or has special needs) but he's a damn nuisance tbh. Constant name-calling to the other boys, pushing them and generally making a show of himself.

Is this how you think neuro-diverse children behave, OP?

Quiet nightmare:

"Just say that he's leaving because he doesn't want to come anymore because of said child and he's gutted but if anything changed let you know and he would love to rejoin. "

Perfect.

Sorry, but struggled to get past your karate expert 5 year old. Clearly we move in VERY different circles of 5 year olds! FYI, if your sons karate club finds out he used his "skills" against someone else outside the club, he WILL get expelled from it. They are very VERY strict about that in the little kids clubs.

Regarding leaving whatever this other club is... Just stop going. There's no need to make a big thing of it. Just stop turning up. There might be a week or two of "I wonder where little Freddie is this week?" and then he'll be forgotten.

If you really MUST say something, a simple message along the lines of "Just to let you know, the session this Saturday will be Little Freddie's last one. Thanks for all your support and patience. Yours, Freddie's mum."

I can’t believe most of these replies..! Talk about showing your envy!
OP, my husband is a coach and would absolutely care to know why children quit!

I think just have a casual word at the end of the session OP. If the coach enquires why you’re stopping the club you can make an excuse like he’s too tired/wants to try a different sport/we’re away a lot over the next few weeks. Or just say you find you’re not getting your money’s worth because coach is having to deal with another child.

Must be a very small town.

Population: You and your (4?) world-class athletes.

I promise "all other local karate clubs" give zero Fs about your 5 year old. Especially baring in mind he doesn't have the resilience to put up with one slightly annoying fellow 5 year old he sees for 2 hours once a week.

As someone who teaches Brazilian juijitsu to children this age I can honestly tell you that no child is perfect and they all have their own behaviour issues. Usually it takes a few weeks to settle in but no bullying behaviour is tolerated, the coach should have addressed this child's behaviour but there may be more to it.

We have one or two kids and with SEN and after a few months they settle in and excel, it benefits all the kids as they learn to embrace their team mate and learn how to support them and in turn their team mate is amazing back.

Indeed one of my favourite students is autistic and used to be really difficult to teach and not a good team player, but we all figured out a way around it and different way of communicating and understanding him. He has truly flourished as have all the kids

He's well know in our town,

There is not a single town in the world where a 5 year old is well-known for being a blue belt in karate.

You don't need to give a reason

Your overthinking it