Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association
Civility Program
“Think About It…”

SCENARIO 2

Age:  U5

Gender:  Female

Level:  Intramural

Situation: 

     It is the last game of a fall intramural season.  For this club U5 is the first experience offered and no player is permitted to “play up”.  Though not by plan, both teams come into the game with the best records (each team is 8-2).  The club offers no play offs, no champion is declared and no special recognition, of any kind, is provided. 

     The score is 6 – 1 by half time.  After scoring the sixth goal the coach whose team is now down five starts to comment about “running up the score”.

Special Circumstances:

The referees for these games are “certified” by the club after receiving minimal formal training.  All referees are parents in the program.  They do wear identifying shirts.  There are approximately 40 parents, grandparents etc… filling the side line.

Food For Thought:

1.        Is it likely that these parents are well versed in the Laws of the Game?

2.        How much previous experience do you think these parents have had to this point.

3.        Might these parents “over emphasize” their child’s success. 

What Would You Do:

                As a parent

                As a coach

                As a player

                As a referee

Supporting Materials:

1. From civility to harassment and the great space in between.  Miles, Albert; Dagley, David; Yau, Christina.  Sociological Inquiry. Vol. 72(3) Summer, 2002:  467-485.

2. De Knop, P. (1994). Youth sports clubs: Toward a youth friendly approach.  Brussels, Belgium:  VUB Brussels University Press. 

3. Engh, F. (2002). Why Johnny hates sports:  Why organized sports are failing our children and what can be done about it.  Garden City Park, NY:  Square One Publishers. 

If you wish to, please feel free to e-mail us regarding this scenario at: civility@epysa.org