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West Michigan Youth Soccer Association |
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An open letter to the WMYSA Community,
Last spring, WMYSA saw a disappointing increase in negative behavior at our games. Unfortunately, this is not isolated to just WMYSA. Across the country, youth sports have been experiencing an increase in aggressive, disruptive behavior. Be assured, WMYSA takes very seriously any negative interactions between parents, players, coaches, spectators and officials. We also realize this behavior is associated with a small number of people and teams. Yet, despite efforts involving rule changes, increased sanctions and amplified communications, all too often someone seems to set off a chain of events which escalates into something no one is proud to have been a part.
To combat this pandemic, some leagues and organizations have gone to extremes. Examples include not allowing fans to attend games in some leagues to others who decided the fans could no longer speak or even cheer at their children’s games. Ultimately the decision of how WMYSA will proceed is completely in the hands of coaches, players, parents, fans and officials who come to these games each week. You have the power to help make a difference and minimize the negative behavior, so we can all enjoy the game and allow the children to play without resorting to drastic solutions.
This fall, to address the ongoing issue WMYSA will be launching its Whisper Campaign. This campaign will be broken down in two phases centered around the three principles of Respect, Recognition and Restraint. We expect all who attend games to understand respect should be given to the officials, players and spectators at all times. We need to recognize when you or others begin to show frustration and then restrain yourself and help others to do the same when frustration sets in by whispering.
As part of this program officials will be rating coaches, players and fans on sportsmanship (respect) shown during games. Club scores will be posted on the website and individual team ratings will be sent to clubs twice each season.
We will have an increased presence of board members to help monitor behavior at the various venues. WMYSA will also be offering free online webinars for officials, coaches and fans on conflict resolution. We will also be sending out weekly communications reminding people to whisper on weekends. It will also let everyone know the number of complaints received, cards issued and the link to the ratings page.
In closing, let’s not punish the kids for our inability to remain civil at a youth sporting event. Help me to keep WMYSA families from being embarrassed on the numerous social media platforms for an unintended loss of temper. I truly believe we as a league and community are better than that. I am asking for your help to keep the vocal minority from defining the silent majority and effecting our ability to watch our children play
Respectfully
Ken Pope
President
West Michigan Youth Soccer Association
President@wmysa.org www.wmysa.org
Last spring, WMYSA saw a disappointing increase in negative behavior at our games. Unfortunately, this is not isolated to just WMYSA. Across the country, youth sports have been experiencing an increase in aggressive, disruptive behavior. Be assured, WMYSA takes very seriously any negative interactions between parents, players, coaches, spectators and officials. We also realize this behavior is associated with a small number of people and teams. Yet, despite efforts involving rule changes, increased sanctions and amplified communications, all too often someone seems to set off a chain of events which escalates into something no one is proud to have been a part.
To combat this pandemic, some leagues and organizations have gone to extremes. Examples include not allowing fans to attend games in some leagues to others who decided the fans could no longer speak or even cheer at their children’s games. Ultimately the decision of how WMYSA will proceed is completely in the hands of coaches, players, parents, fans and officials who come to these games each week. You have the power to help make a difference and minimize the negative behavior, so we can all enjoy the game and allow the children to play without resorting to drastic solutions.
This fall, to address the ongoing issue WMYSA will be launching its Whisper Campaign. This campaign will be broken down in two phases centered around the three principles of Respect, Recognition and Restraint. We expect all who attend games to understand respect should be given to the officials, players and spectators at all times. We need to recognize when you or others begin to show frustration and then restrain yourself and help others to do the same when frustration sets in by whispering.
As part of this program officials will be rating coaches, players and fans on sportsmanship (respect) shown during games. Club scores will be posted on the website and individual team ratings will be sent to clubs twice each season.
We will have an increased presence of board members to help monitor behavior at the various venues. WMYSA will also be offering free online webinars for officials, coaches and fans on conflict resolution. We will also be sending out weekly communications reminding people to whisper on weekends. It will also let everyone know the number of complaints received, cards issued and the link to the ratings page.
In closing, let’s not punish the kids for our inability to remain civil at a youth sporting event. Help me to keep WMYSA families from being embarrassed on the numerous social media platforms for an unintended loss of temper. I truly believe we as a league and community are better than that. I am asking for your help to keep the vocal minority from defining the silent majority and effecting our ability to watch our children play
Respectfully
Ken Pope
President
West Michigan Youth Soccer Association
President@wmysa.org www.wmysa.org
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