[ayso45-refs] Good Sportsmanship

[AYSO45 at aol.com]

Hello Coaches (and Referees)!

It has come to my attention that there is a rise in poor Sportsmanship on 
Saturday during our soccer games. Let me share three REAL incidents that are 
happening here in Mountain View. 

#1 - A coach plays several players in a soccer match the whole game and 
several players play only 50% of the time.

#2 - A referee is challenged by the coach in front of all of his players and 
makes the referee wonder why he volunteers his time.

#3 - A team dominates their opponent and scores nine goals en route to a 
blowout victory.

...and this was just from this last weekend!

It appears that we have coaches in this league that are not upholding the 
AYSO tenant of Good Sportsmanship. Here is an example of good sportsmanship from 
the kidshealth.org website.

Good sportsmanship occurs when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials 
treat each other with respect. Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the 
adults in their lives, especially their parents and their coaches. Kids who 
see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike way gradually come to understand that the 
real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with 
dignity - whether they win or lose a game.

Parents can help their kids understand that good sportsmanship includes both 
small gestures and heroic efforts. It starts with something as simple as 
shaking hands with opponents before a game and includes acknowledging good plays 
made by others and accepting bad calls gracefully. Displaying good sportsmanship 
isn't always easy: It can be tough to congratulate the opposing team after 
losing a close or important game. But the kids who learn how to do it will 
benefit in many ways.

A child who bullies or taunts others on the playing field isn't likely to 
change the behavior when in the classroom or in social situations. In the same 
way, a child who practices good sportsmanship is likely to carry the respect and 
appreciation of other people into every other aspect of life.

(end article)

I am not sure what the reason is behind these incidents, but we are working 
to get to the bottom of it. Investigations are on the way. Coaches, you are the 
example to your players. Be the positive example that makes both sidelines 
happy. If you have questions on how to handle a situation that arises on 
Saturday, please contact me.

Let's be the model for good sportsmanship this Saturday!

Scott McGhee
Coaching Administrator
ayso45 at aol.com.