FA ruling risks young teams' sponsorship
FURTHER to your front page article Red Card for results (September 17) I believe that scores and scorers should be listed, but subject to both the competing teams agreeing to this prior to kick-off. I think it is great for youngsters to have their names
FURTHER to your front page article "Red Card for results" (September 17) I believe that scores and scorers should be listed, but subject to both the competing teams agreeing to this prior to kick-off.
I think it is great for youngsters to have their names mentioned, providing all the other players have that same opportunity, perhaps in a small write-up so that the same players are not mentioned each week. Good goalkeeping and defending should also be recognised as well as good sportsmanship.
Youngsters are not stupid, and each will be keeping a score of the game and comparing at school at the next available opportunity. The players will not make any less effort in their game, as they want to play to their best and ultimately win the match.
They will know that they have scored more goals than their opponents, and this is usually highlighted as soon as that whistle is blown. Football is about winning, losing and getting that draw. Scoring a goal or making a brilliant save is all part of the game.
Results help measure achievement. Losing 5-1 to a team then losing 2-1 to the same team at a later date shows an improvement to encourage the losing side. It is also useful to measure and seed teams, so that they can play sides of a similar ability at a later date, and those not so good can be matched up against each other for a more equal and enjoyable game.
The Football Association has made good inroads in the mini-soccer arena so that all players get rewarded for their participation at festivals and that players can be repeat substituted so that all can get a game.
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I suggest the FA concentrates on the RESPECT programme and educates spectators and managers on good practice and etiquette rather than deny the players their name in the paper.
Please also note that a mini-soccer league for under-sevens in the Peterborough area that is 10 years old this year is in danger of folding if the current sponsorship collapses because of the lack of publicity opportunities - a great shame for the eight to14 teams who usually participate, so not only will they not be able to publish their scores and scorers but they may not be able to play in the safe and supervised area at all.
ROBERT WINDLE
Peterborough
