'Leave the coaches coach': Limerick football club issues 'friendly reminder' to parents
The post has already received hundreds of likes on Facebook, with many commenters praising the club’s statement
A LIMERICK football club has issued a ‘friendly reminder’ to parents about their behaviour when supporting their kids at matches.
Moyross Utd Football Club said in a statement that “behaviours on the sideline influence kids’ attitudes on the pitch”.
The club shared the statement on social media on Monday, September 14.
The statement explained: “We have coaches in place to COACH the teams your kids play in. They give up their time as volunteers to plan and carry out training sessions, prepare for matches and coach matches from the sideline. They are there to develop the skills your kids have to the best of their ability.
“It helps when parents encourage the kids and support the teams in the correct manner. It DOES NOT help when parents give different instructions to their kids than the coaches have given them. It DOES NOT help when parents are shouting at their kids on the sideline. It DOES NOT help when parents give out about or to officials on the sideline.”
The post adds that, if parents want to coach or referee , they’re more than welcome to volunteer: “If you want to become a coach, by all means contact the club and we'll do what we can to facilitate that. Otherwise leave the coaching to the actual coaches. If you want to become a referee, pick up the whistle and register to be one.”
“Otherwise,” the statement continues, “keep your mouths closed and respect the referees.”
The post concluded: “It’s up to all parents to be better. Leave the coaches coach and the referees referee.”
The post has already received hundreds of likes on Facebook, with many commenters praising the club’s statement.
“Well said. Nothing worse as a coach when parents do this,” said one commenter, while another user said: “Oh wow, well said. I have been saying it for years but it has become more important than ever. Mind you I don’t think I could put it so politely.”
The football club, which was founded in 1975, has men’s and ladies’ junior teams, as well as schoolboy/girl teams.