Same boys being chosen for sports

[Dantiger]

Just before Christmas, 8yo DS (year 3) came home a bit sad as his PE teacher had chosen 6 boys from his class to participate in a football tournament. He wasn’t picked but wanted to do it. I told him it was ok and that I’m sure it’ll be his turn for something.

Then in January his school started a cross country team and 4 boys out of the 6 from the football tournament were chosen.

This Tuesday just gone, the year 4’s were having a football tournament. Apparently one of the same boys who got chosen for the year 3 tournament and the cross country team was picked to go with the year 4’s.

DS doesn’t hang around with any of these boys but I remember at sports day last summer they all won the categories.

I just feel with sports all children should have the chance to take part in events. I really don’t think it’s fair that the same boy gets chosen for all of them over and over again.

I probably am BU as it makes DS sad but I do think it’s unfair

people Writing off an 8 year old just prove he’d be better off at a rubgy or basketball club

I agree, but he finished. Some of the kids didnt. We do park run so I know he can do it

But should children who can't manage 1km be picked for cross country for inclusion

No one has written him off. They've said a lot of the boys will have started age 3/4 so shop around. Some clubs are very very competitive and select the best at an early age. Plenty don't.

Until you do this, then there is little chance he will be picked for the school squads, and this wll simply get less likely as he gets older. Put him in a junior football team - he will probably not get picked for the first team, but at least will get some more football coaching and possibly picked for the second team.

@Northernparent68 no one is writing him off, simply pointing out that at the age of 8, a lot of boys would have been having regular coaching and experience of games for half their life so would obviously have an advantage.

He won't struggle to find a team at 8. My middle son has just joined his first team at 8 and just joined a lower level to build skills and confidence.

My eldest joined his first team at 11 when I was told by a professional footballer watching him have a kick around that I must get him in a team. After a season at a low level team, he's just been signed for the local academy. It's not impossible to get them into football later if they have natural ability.