Heartbreak for u10s sacked from football club in text (From Warrington Guardian)

Parents slam actions of Birchwood coaches

1:00pm Friday 27th April 2012 in News

YOUNGSTERS playing for Birchwood under 10s football team were ‘sacked’ from the club – by text message.

Parents were outraged after receiving a message from one of the coaches saying they would only be training with the first team from now on.

One mum, who does not want to be named, said she has not told her 10-year-old child he has been ‘dumped for the good of the team’ because she does not want to ‘break his confidence and spirit’.

She said: “As parents, we are appalled that our children can be treated in such a way.

“What happened to children joining groups to engage and have fun with their peers or allow them to get out of the house?

“What about it’s not the winning but the taking part that counts?

“Our children enjoyed their weekly training sessions and were as dedicated as any of the others attending throughout the winter months.”

The text message to parents read: ‘Afta just havin footie team trainin 2gether over past 2 wks we have decided 2 keep it that way from now on, I’m sorry about that’.

A coach from Birchwood FC said they did not realise parents wanted their children to join the team.

The coach said: “We’re changing to nine-a-side this year and parents give up their time to take training sessions.

“We wanted to try it out for a while with just the team as otherwise you get kids who mess about because it’s not serious for them if they’re not on the team.”

She added a couple of girls had been told not to return to training because they would not be able to play for a mixed team in a couple of years and they did not want to ‘take any more on’.

But an angry parent added: “When we signed our children up to the training sessions, we were not informed they may not be picked for the team.

“It was assumed, like other children’s football clubs, that all children would get the chance to participate in games, even if only for a short time on a rota basis.

“The club should be ashamed of itself.”