Sir, – Regarding Jen Hogan’s excellent article ( “It’s a pity so many adults ruin sports for children”, September 16th), I’d like to add the following: just as we no longer accept corporal punishment and ridicule as part of teaching, we would not accept a teacher barking instructions at a child during an exam or allow another student, maybe younger, to sit our child’s Junior Cert to boost school results.
So why do we accept it when coaches constantly instruct players and do not give them adequate playing time and instead focus on more developed players? This coaching style causes many young people to drop out and therefore miss out on the countless benefits of sport.
Sporting organisations should arrange more non-competitive and small-sided games during the season to focus on maximum participation, enjoyment and player development rather than on winning at all costs. With the rise of obesity, social anxiety and other issues facing young people, it is more important than ever to keep them playing sport – certainly more important than winning some underage competition. – Yours, etc,
PADDY MEYLER,
Greystones,
Co Wicklow.