To hate the clear politics in competitive sports circles

[Obeseandashamed]

My child plays competitive sport at county level. We are fairly new to the sport compared to most but my child has done really well in a short space of time. Being around the various coaching/academy/training sessions has made me realise how cliquey it is. Some examples are people who didn't attend trials, making it straight by in to a squad (when trialling was mandatory), people who play at a lower level being allowed in to higher level training sessions when people who play that level are being told the standard was so high that there was no space for them, not training with certain coaches means you're left out of certain events/competitions and people 'sponsoring their way in'. It really bothers me. So far, none of the above has taken an opportunity away from my child as far as I'm aware but I can see how it has taken away from a number of others and it just doesn't sit well with me. Of course, there's also a real possibility that in the near future it will take away an opportunity from my child too and we've just been lucky so far. There seems to be a lot of having to try to please people and tick boxes rather than focusing on sporting ability. AIBU? Are a lot of sports like this?

Isn’t life like that? I’m a firm believer sports (although I appreciate they’re not for everyone) teach you a lot about life, how to work with different people, different backgrounds etc. They also teach you that life isn’t always fair and balanced. With my son’s football team ( they’re mid level) certain players start every game and never come off, it frustrates me but there’s not a lot you can do.
Sports of any level have political rubbish to navigate, you’re going to have to get used to it the higher up you go.

You're right and I guess it is a fact of life but it's just really frustrating seeing it play out. My child is never going to be a national champ at this sport and in a few years time none of this will likely matter as they will be at uni etc and concentrating on other aspects of life but i guess I was just surprised at how corrupt it is as I've not experienced it as apparent as this before.

My DC both compete in sports at the same level in football and boxing and yes I’ve found the same. However anything can change and the nepo kids may do well at a team their dad happens to coach at, but when it comes to the crunch real talent is expected.

I find at the moment the pitch side coaching totally tiresome and it ruins it for me. Some people are so bloody mean to little kids and then arrogantly say “that’s the game”. Actually Dave I don’t think the game IS bellowing at little boys giving them an instruction using words they aren’t used to because not how their coach words it. I don’t think the game is cheering when an opposing team player is chopped down and injured. What I think it is Dave is that you’re a cunt.

DD’s boxing is better as its less bodies and fewer people do it with more realistic expectations but it’s definitely still very cliquey.

I also find that coaches teams and even volunteers are increasingly dealing with difficult people and it means the parents who fuss the loudest are the ones whose children get the better opportunities. And who can blame the coaches wanting an easy life

Competitiveness is an ugly dog-eat-dog side of human nature. You’re naturally going to see more of that in competitive sport circles than say, if your child was in the wood turning society.

This comment above perfectly illustrates this mindset:
“I’m a firm believer sports (although I appreciate they’re not for everyone) teach you a lot about life, how to work with different people, different backgrounds etc. They also teach you that life isn’t always fair and balanced.”

Any small child with half a brain learns that life isn’t ‘fair and balanced’ the first day they encounter other children at nursery. Sport doesn’t teach you that.