What sport for DS?

[TooGood2BeTrue]

So my son (6) has just been dropped by the coach of the football team he has been playing in since January. I will admit that he's not exactly a star player, but he's loved going to the training, playing with his friends, putting on his kit etc., and I feel quite sad for him. My question is this: Should I try to get him into another team? Are there football teams that mostly just play "for fun", or are they all quite competitive and focused on winning matches? My son is "disadvantaged" in that neither I nor my husband are into football at all. My DH will kick the ball around with my son every now and then but he is not passionate about football, doesn't watch it on TV and has never had a favourite team. I'd love for my son to continue a sport that he enjoys, but will I just set him up for more disappointment if I try to find another club for him? What other sports exist that are perhaps more "inclusive" and accepting of less able players?

have a look and see if you have an excel football club near you. They welcome football players of all standards
www.excelsport.co.uk/

If you wanted to move him away from football, you could look at gymnastics, basketball, hockey, swimming... there are lots of options at 6 x

He’s 6 and been “dropped”? Does that mean he can’t go at all, or just won’t be picked for games?

I’d find another team with a better approach to sportsmanship.

Alternatively, you could try rugby, swimming, dance, gymnastics, martial arts, tennis, anything.

If he benefits from lots of activity, I’d enrol him in as much as possible. Let him try it all. I’d maybe pick from dance, gymnastics, martial arts and swimming to start as they are good for strength and co-ordination, you can pick up most other sports from there.

Ball sports rugby has good clubs for little ones, but I suspect it might be area dependent.

@Bluebluezoo Initially it was just the games they excluded him from (citing his age as the reason; the other players are 7), now it's the training as well with the coach blaming it on Covid and social distancing measures. It's BS though because they have actually welcomed a new player into the team at tge same time. He is quite good at swimming and gymnastics and ok at karate but doesn't really love any of these. I'm wondering if rugby might be a better option? What I'd like to avoid is a family life that revolves around a training and competition schedule or keeps him from doing his school work. Really what I would like is just an opportunity for him to play some non-competitive sports a couple of times a week. Not sure if that's unreasonable / unrealistic though?

whereabouts are you located OP?

Round here rugby is a bit more open as except for the private schools not many play rugby.... so just glad to have players- cricket as well..
phone around some clubs as they are very different some very competitive..some much more about fun...
my DS has really enjoyed cricket... also for less competitive - to a certain extent Tennis - he has also tried various martial arts and fencing which was good.. but not as common -
dont think of sport stopping school work think of it as an extension to school work....the heavy comptetitive stuff doesnt usually start til older

Cricket and hockey are very inclusive and just want to add its crazy a 6 yo can be dropped from any sport

My boys are both in football teams where ability matters not and I wouldn't want it any other way. They are 7 and 10. They have both pretty much lost every game but I don't care. Is a crap team an option? It's all the good and none of the competitive bullshit. They are children FGS they should be learning team spirit not that they are not good enough. Appalling attitude of his team.

Gosh around here all the teams are any ability, and they made sure everyone got to play. My son is young for his school year (summer baby) but played his year group. Look around there must be more inclusive teams.

I know someone mentioned dance up thread, thought I'd mention ballroom and Latin. My ds started age 9, never took to anything before but he's never looked back, he now competes nationally and locally, although you don't have too. It's given him a lot of confidence, strength (physically and emotionally) and some fantastic friends.

What about badminton, has the added advantage of being played inside so no freezing standing on sidelines 😁 although some sports halls are not too warm for the spectators 😊

Look round the other local clubs and ask parents if you can find out who plays where. Did the coach explain why he was dropped and if it was a temporary measure or could he come back in the summer? Speak to the Club Welfare Officer to get an understanding of the club's policy on how teams are selected and exclusion from training.

Unless there is a clear selection policy or restriction on numbers which should usually be based on first come first served, it is unusual for a club to drop 6 year olds from training. It is sadly common for kids to be left off the team sheet or left sitting on the bench or to be otherwise excluded so they leave of their own accord.

However, there are many clubs, often run by volunteers and parents who are more inclusive.

I am not English so cricket always seems a bit tough on weaker players who sit around all day waiting for their turn to bat which might not even happen if the batting order never gets that far.

Children should try as many sports as they can before the age of 10 so maybe look at summer camps for hockey, cricket and rugby before signing up for next year.

My eldest was small and a bit slow so often left on the side of the pitch. He desperately wanted to play football but actually hated the experience. He started hockey and he is really really good. Lovely team!! He also tried rugby (I was terrified as he is quite small) and cricket which he loves but we are in an area where they don't play much and he has kind of left it a bit late to start.. he was 13 when he started.

He still played football at school for a while and now plays with his mates alot, as well as the students and teachers at his school on Friday afternoons, it is a good skill to have as it is how lots of boys bond but not exclusively of course.

My youngest LOVES football as do a lot of his close friends, some of whom are seriously good, international club tournaments at age 10. Most of his group of kids play for different local teams and find one that suits their level. We are in an area where there are probably 4 clubs to choose from all with between 3 and 6 teams at each age group. My son is looking to move this year which is proving difficult as some of the clubs are less friendly and welcoming than others.

I hope you find somewhere he can have fun!! Our hockey club motto is 'A club where I belong'