Am I being precious over DS’ cricket kit?

[Justnocricket]

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.

Do the others bring their own kit? If so, everyone should be using their own. If not, I'd keep your son's kit for club matches and let him use the school kit at school. That's what we do.

I would be clear that it's your sons protective equipment and it's not for sharing. Also there is a head lice risk with sharing of helmets like that. I would offer to make a donation towards the school purchasing "pooled" protective equipment for those who haven't got their own as a gesture.

No you're not being precious, I would also be extremely annoyed about this.

Why should they make a contribution?

They've already pay school feels and the school have enabled their son's equipment to be damaged!!!!!

Definitely talk to school and word it like you did in OP, what you have personally witnessed.

My ds was a cricketer too. The school should definitely provide safety equipment - helmets, pads etc. It seems unusual that few of the kids have kit as they usually play for other teams too. I wonder if the other parents aren’t letting the kids bring things into school after similar experiences.

Ds had a similar issue with a child deliberately trying to destroy his brand new, expensive cricket bat (also a present) at this age. I reported it and the school took it very seriously and the boy was asked to replace it, although we refused the offer. I would definitely raise it with them.

Out of order for the school to put you boy in that position. He can hardly refuse or make a fuss and might be embarrassed if you do. But your not wrong, not being precious.

I didn't say "she should" I said "I would".

My son's both had their own kit, one because school and club kit was too small (he also played rugby as a second row/no8) and the other because he s left handed. They never shared at matches but if they were having a fun game with friends they'd borrow, but always respected.

the bats though were sacrosanct as they been selected on weight, centre of gravity etc.

I wouldn’t say it’s unreasonable to ask him (or you as his parent) to share but it’s also entirely reasonable to say no to that and basic manners/decency mean if he/you were ok with it to then treat it with respect.

I agree he shouldn't have to share his personal kit, but surely you don't take expensive stuff to school anyway? Even if no one else borrowed it, it would be in danger of being lost, kicked, trodden on etc?

I used to be quite hard line against the assumption that kids would lend their PE kit to peers when I was teaching - and this was in a state primary in quite a deprived area so we're talking a £3 pair of Asda shorts and white T-shirt level of kit. Everyone else used to tell kids to "go to the other class and borrow one" - but I used to insist they found someone who was happy for them to use it and that they'd be seen to say thank you and treat it with respect (and stocked up a class box of spares so that the nonsense stopped pretty damned sharpish).

I don't like the assumption that anyone WILL automatically share their personal stuff with others if they don't want to do so - that's irrespective of state/private/cost of the stuff/the fact that cricket bores the shit outta me.

It shouldn't matter to other posters how much OP's family chose to spend on what was a great birthday present. If things are really that cheap, then there is no reason for others not having it. I'd not be sharing good equipment and I'd probably not let it go to school either.

I'd stop sending kit like that to school. Presumably the school could/ would provide it if you didn't?

I presume you don't really understand sport. He needs to use it to play, not keep it until it's all too small.

I'd assumed he also play for a club, wanting/needing such expensive equipment.

If it's all going to useless quickly because it's too small, it may as well get spoiled at school, I suppose, but I always had a rule that things they cared about didn't go to school, where they'd invariably be lost or damaged.

Unfortunately with cricket kit you do have to keep replacing it. It was something I didn't realise with my sons, I mean I knew they grow out of their trousers and jumpers but I didn't realise how often they would need new bats and pads. I wish I'd signed them up to something cheaper.

My experience was that sharing wasn't unusual but I never saw boys being so careless with other people's kit.

It would be bad enough if the other kids treated his kit with respect; his kit would still get worn out much quicker. But they don't respect sharing his kit, so no he shouldn't be expected to share it.

It is normal ( in my world ) to share in cricket.
It is not normal or for kids to not respect the equipment that they have borrowed.

Id talk to the coach.

My daughter has her own helmet for a sport and goes to lessons where most kids borrow the venue's helmets. No way I'd want another kid sweating in her helmet or dropping it.

This. I wouldn’t allow your DS kit to be borrowed out either.

Not normal. My DS at private school has all his own kit. There’s school kit for those that don’t have their own. Only exception is the box, which is understandable really! They’re cheap from Sports Direct anyway.

Quite apart from the fact he shouldn't have to share at all he shouldn't share his helmet because if he has his own, he's entitled to the hygeine benefits.
helmets - sweat etc - are a breading ground for lice and diseases. I remember reading something horrible about someone famous - cant' remember who I think it was a female comediean - who caught scabies from a go kart helmet she went to with her son.

also helmets have a usage time that depends on how much they are hit (Which he may not know if he is not wearing it) and how they are looked after.

The E&WCB current guidance is that it is mandatory for all cricketers under the age of 18 to wear a head protector whilst batting in matches or practice sessions. The school MUST provide them themselves and not take your sons.

https://www.ecb.co.uk/concussion-in-cricket/helmets

I would raise it with the school. The cost is another aspect as well.

You are not being precious. Absolutely raise the matter with the coach.

Difficult position really op,Yanbu to not like this but don't know how you'll stop it without embarrassing your ds.