Vx POLL of the DAY (61): FAIR GAME?

Auckland school children on a winning streak may have to play for the opposition if they're beating them by too many points.

Howick Pakuranga Principals' Association is introducing a fair play charter to East Auckland primary schools to encourage students, coaches and parents to play nice.

Among its clauses is one allowing coaches to intervene when the points differential is 40 in rugby, 15 goals in netball and seven goals in soccer.

The charter states: 'Sport is about doing your best but in primary and intermediate school competitions, a successful game is when everyone does their best and enjoys the game, looking forward to the next competition.'

Leyette Callister, principal of Howick Primary School and president of the association, said swapping players between teams was one way to ensure all children enjoyed their earliest sporting endeavours.

The charter was being introduced because children could be devastated if losing margins were too huge.

One issue was some schools had far larger rolls than others, giving them an unfair advantage.

'There are a lot of smaller schools that possibly wouldn't enter [competitions] at all if they knew they were just going to get smashed,' Callister said.

'We're careful with our draws but this is about ensuring games are as fair as possible. It's about the kids going out and having a game, not about winning.'

The charter was not mandatory and would be at the discretion of coaches, referees and other officials.

The charter also provides parents and spectators an avenue to complain about the refs.

'Sometimes people get a little bit excited and have their own opinions and they're absolutely entitled to them,' Callister said.

'But I have heard of parents who have rushed up to [the referee] at the athletics day with their camera saying, 'I took a photo of my child and it shows they actually came in third not fourth and therefore you've made a mistake'.

'So this gives parents who dispute the call a pathway to go through.'

The charter states that sport in schools is there to encourage students to be active, with clubs providing a higher level of competition.

It was important that players, coaches, officials and parents all bought into the spirit of fair play. Those who failed to could 'at the discretion of the organiser' face 'appropriate action'. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11398275 

Should part of playing sport be about playing to win? How important is competitiveness in today's society? Is being a good sport playing to win or playing to participate? Are we misguided to think sport is anything but winning, especially if you ar from a country that highly values sport and being good at it? Are adult attitudes a barrier to children enjoying sport? What is the best way for sport to be structured for young people? 

Oh..lots of questions..what do you think?

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