Nigel Ireland

Email received on Sunday I stood by today and listened to parents slate the coaches' approach to substitutions, berate some weaker players, and question why they were allowed to stay on whilst better players came off. Why were they playing in different positions? Why do they keep swapping them around? They shouldn't do it that way, it's rubbish, not working... it goes on. I'm the coaches wife. I bit my tongue and walked away. I was so upset to hear people devalue what my husband does every week for their children, unpaid. He only wants to see them grow in confidence and ability and watch their friendships build. I was close to tears as we waited in the car. The team is playing non-competitive, and the clubs core value is equal playing time. The players don't complain about who plays when or where (well, not too much), and they go out and have fun with their mates, win, lose, or draw. They celebrate and lift each other up. Why can't parents appreciate that more. Thank you to all the coaches who take time to make sure everyone gets a chance and equal and fair playing time. Those who organise the team sheet so those who might struggle have a solid team to support them, and put thought into the players' preferences on and off the pitch, and are quick thinking when someone doesn't turn up. 👏👏👏 Anon