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Original poster

Am I being precious over DS’ cricket kit?

107 replies

Justnocricket · 26/04/2023 21:28

DS (10) plays cricket at school and is crazy about it. For his birthday and Christmas, we and his extended family all contributed money and together we bought him bat, helmet, pads, gloves and whites. It came to approx £400. He was thrilled, all good.

But now he is playing in school matches. Everyone has the whites but only 70% have their own bat, helmet, gloves etc, so he is just expected to share his.

At a match today I watched as his helmet was taken off and tossed down into the mud by a classmate. His gloves taken off and left on the grass and someone promptly stood on them with spikes on. Another was throwing his bat in the air and trying (unsuccessfully) to catch it. DS was running round at the end trying to gather his kit back up.

Is this normal to share in cricket, or do schools normally supply their own kit for those who don’t have their own? Private school BTW.

OP posts:
ChateauMargaux · 26/04/2023 21:30

No idea but I felt the same when DS kindly lent his over priced birthday present goalie gloves to someone who lent them to someone else who then didn't know where they were.... they never turned up and I had to buy DS a new pair..

HotToddyColdSauvignon · 26/04/2023 21:30

Private?? I would be expecting the school to provide kit, and also firmly explaining the importance of looking after other people’s kit if they’re kind enough to share!

How would the school propose to get the children to play if the 30% who don’t have bats etc weren’t allowed to join in?

Talipesmum · 26/04/2023 21:33

Not ok. School should provide spare kit - especially a private school who can afford it. And while it’s good to share, and mine do, it’s only to someone they trust who won’t muck about with their kit. I’d have a word with school and your child.

Owchy · 26/04/2023 21:35

Not ok.

TheFlis12345 · 26/04/2023 21:38

The school should absolutely provide the kit. What would they have done if your DS didn’t have kit? Nobody play?

Fudgewomble · 26/04/2023 21:38

I’ve got two cricket playing DS at private school. School should provide spare kit - boys aren’t expected to share.

don’t get me started on when they lose the bloody £400 worth of kit bag - infuriating! Ds13 took his name label off his as it was “embarrassing”

Mochinated · 26/04/2023 21:39

Ridiculous! Not normal

luckylavender · 26/04/2023 21:39

Justnocricket · 26/04/2023 21:28

DS (10) plays cricket at school and is crazy about it. For his birthday and Christmas, we and his extended family all contributed money and together we bought him bat, helmet, pads, gloves and whites. It came to approx £400. He was thrilled, all good.

But now he is playing in school matches. Everyone has the whites but only 70% have their own bat, helmet, gloves etc, so he is just expected to share his.

At a match today I watched as his helmet was taken off and tossed down into the mud by a classmate. His gloves taken off and left on the grass and someone promptly stood on them with spikes on. Another was throwing his bat in the air and trying (unsuccessfully) to catch it. DS was running round at the end trying to gather his kit back up.

Is this normal to share in cricket, or do schools normally supply their own kit for those who don’t have their own? Private school BTW.

He really shouldn't have to share his helmet, and it shouldn't be tossed around. It's dangerous.

Addymontgomeryfan · 26/04/2023 21:40

Our school have spare kit for those who don't have their own, I would say 90% of the team have their own though.

Also a private school.

chrisrobin · 26/04/2023 21:41

It's not usual at my sons school (also an Independent), if the pupils don't have their own kit they borrow the school kit. Most kids use the school ones, my son takes his own hockey stick as he likes a longer length than the school provides but no-one else uses it if he's on the bench. Neither of my sons have cricket gear, they use the school kit, they don't borrow it from the friends that have their own

hidethexylophone · 26/04/2023 21:53

At my son's school (also private) they are required to have their own kit - it's part of the uniform/kit requirements. Definitely not precious to not want expensive stuff damaged or lost. And what are they doing about the more personal items like a box - that's not something you can really share?!

FredandAmy · 26/04/2023 21:56

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CurlewKate · 26/04/2023 21:58

My ds never had to share- some had their own and the school had spares for those that didn't. And the coach would have come down hard on bat- throwing. State school, BTW.

Tauranga · 26/04/2023 22:01

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By that logic all the other kids at private school could afford their own kit so why do they not supply their own?

illiterato · 26/04/2023 22:06

All expected to have their own from Year 6 with the proviso that hardball is not mandatory so if a parent didn’t want to buy it the kid could just play softball.

strawberryfluff · 26/04/2023 22:13

If they are pressuring him to let everyone use it then fine it doesn't go into school any more.

Original poster
Justnocricket · 26/04/2023 22:14

Thanks for the responses, it seems it is unusual. I’ll have to risk being “that” parent and email the teacher, although however I frame it its going to sound a bit petty.

As for the problem with sharing - its safety equipment and I want to know that it’s being looked after so it does its job and keeps DS safe. Also it’s £400 worth of equipment, not just gloves. I cannot afford to keep replacing it!

OP posts:
strawberryfluff · 26/04/2023 22:14

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Why should they be buying equipment for everyone!

PollyPut · 26/04/2023 22:17

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Kit often gets damaged when shared. That's the problem.

School should have some spares - it's expected from a safety point of view. Maybe staff aren't thinking ahead enough to take the spares with them. I'd have a word with the head of PE asking them to supply spares - and also making sure children aren't throwing bats in the air

Elvis1956 · 26/04/2023 22:21

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Wow assume much...perhaps the boy has got a scholarship with out which he wouldn't go.
why not read the op. The whole family paid not just mum and dad.
clearly and im assuming now you are some lefty with a chip on your shoulder cos you didn't go to a private school
btw nor did i. My school well put it this way...less than 0.5% of my year went to university at 18...But I don't begrudge anyone else getting a better education.
after all his taxes will be paying our pensions

Cc1998 · 26/04/2023 22:23

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People like you are the worst kind of CF parents 🙄

ChicoryDip · 26/04/2023 22:28

Justnocricket · 26/04/2023 22:14

Thanks for the responses, it seems it is unusual. I’ll have to risk being “that” parent and email the teacher, although however I frame it its going to sound a bit petty.

As for the problem with sharing - its safety equipment and I want to know that it’s being looked after so it does its job and keeps DS safe. Also it’s £400 worth of equipment, not just gloves. I cannot afford to keep replacing it!

I'm not one to normally email school but I'd be cross about this one too.

After all, if bat, pads, gloves and helmet are being used by 10x boys in a match instead of by just one of course they will get worn or damaged more quickly. And it's expensive kit to replace.

You don't have to go in all guns blazing, just ask what the situation is for school kit as DS's is being damaged by being used by the whole team.

EnjoyingTheSilence · 26/04/2023 22:34

@Elvis1956 you sound like the one with a chip in their shoulder.

@FredandAmy what a ridiculous comment to make even if someone can afford the kit and to keep replacing bits doesn’t mean that kids shouldn’t be taught how to respect other peoples belongings.

JudgeJ · 26/04/2023 22:35

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Yawn Yawn. No-one should have their hard earned money treated in such a cavalier manner, whatever their circumstances. Love how some on MN hate anyone who works hard.

Nellz · 26/04/2023 22:37

I do wonder what your son's point of view is on this? For example, he could be keen to share and have offered - or, he could feel like a couple of dominant classmates are putting him under pressure to share. The idea that the teachers are asking him to share seems less likely to me (though it's obviously possible!)
Knowing what the pupil dynamic is will also help teachers to resolve any potential underlying situations.