Should I ask about this?

[TreeLemons]

DD1 Y3 came home from school excited yesterday because she had come 2nd in a running race which was part of selection for a rugby team. It sounded like something she really wanted to do, although she is very busy already and will try anything!

Today she came home a little upset because she wasn't chosen. When I asked if she'd asked why, she said she hadn't because she didn't want to be told off.

Apparently they were told not to worry, there is always next year. It feels to me like the same children have been chosen for this as were chosen for cricket coaching last term, which DD also would have loved.

Is it worth talking to the school and what sort of response would I get? I think I want to know why DD doesn't ever seem to be chosen for this sort of extra activity when she is so keen. Am I wrong in thinking everyone should be provided with opportunities sort of equally?

I would say it depends on what sort of activity this is. If it's part of normal PE lessons, then everyone should have a go regardless.

If it's a fun after school activity, then they should have some sort of rota so that everyone can have a chance of doing an activity at some point.

If it's about putting a team together for a local league etc then they have held try outs to find the most suitable team and that might just be the end of it. In that case you might want to suggest to the school that they run some classes as an after school activity for those that didn't get in the team.

There is nothing to loose by asking. And letting them know that your daughter is interested.

And finding out what the coaches think her chances are - or what she might need to improve to make it to the team.

"lose" - I blame iPhone!

You need to look at Malcolm Gladwell's book 'Outliers'.

That gives you ammunition if you want to. It explains how the 'good' ones at primary get given extra experiences and coaching which widens the gap even more. Linked to autumn borns being on average physically more mature so they get picked more etc. This then leads into professional sports teams having bias towards birthdays in certain months.

Dd's school you could only get on a sports team if you were identified as G&T in pe

There was constant mention in the newsletter about sporting success and at the yr 6 leavers assembly there were trophies and shirts for the sports stars

Since going to high school she's made the rugby, netball and hockey teams and also goes to badminton club

If she wasn't such a determined little so n so, the primary school's handling of sport could have put her off for life and looks to have put dd2 off -she starts high school in September so time will tell

Thanks for the replies. Interesting that other schools do things like this too. I am aware that you don't always see the full picture, but to me it does feel like the same children get chosen for all the sports activities and the ones like DD who are keen, but perhaps not the best, never get a chance to work on anything or improve. Which I think relates to what you are saying Teen I will have to have a look at that book.

18years my DD is also determined so hopefully will be like yours and make her own opportunities later!

We are quite different any child who wants to take part is included in the squad and every child o the squad gets the opportunity to participate. The only proviso is that they attend coaching sessions.

Our school has the same system as mrz which I think is best at primary.

At our school, y3 and y4 train together but y4 are given more spots on the team because it's their last chance to represent the school in the lower ks2 team. Same goes for y5/6. Y6 is given priority as it's their "last chance" to be on the team.