Players Weekend will be observed for all league games this Saturday, October 20th & Sunday October 21st
Why Players Weekend?
Did you know that an overwhelming majority of children stop playing organized sports by age 13??
WHY???
The main reason for quitting – they were no longer having fun and are growing weary of being yelled at and cajoled from the sidelines and often having their play criticized on the way home.
While the children didn’t seem to mind working hard at practices and enjoyed being with teammates, the constant barrage of instructions and negative comments from the sidelines became a major factor.
Let’s all remember that these are CHILDREN PLAYING A GAME!!
The guidelines are quite simple:
1. Spectators are encouraged to cheer (not instruct) for good plays by either team. Negative comments about any player or official are to be avoided.
2. Coaches are asked to refrain from the constant barrage of instruction during the course of the game.
3. Referees and coaches will acknowledge substitutions by having players standing at the halfway line ready to go in.
The league first held this type of weekend in April of 2002. Since then, many coaches, spectators and players have asked that it be implemented. Coaches and spectators are amazed at the communication among the players; they actually could perform without step by step instruction. A majority of club presidents voted in June 2006 to hold this weekend again; once in the Fall and again in the Spring.
Coaches and/or spectators that don’t adhere to this policy will receive 0 points in the appropriate sportsmanship rating.
On behalf of all the children in the league – THANK YOU!!