muttley cat wrote:
Imho results dont really matter that much in the 9s indeed you should tread carefully with score lines and naming especially large scores . This is ehy there is no real record kept.
However enthusiasm is something that you will never take away from dads etc and without trying to be condescending to my Wigan supporting ex forum sparing partner he eill realise the error of his ways when they are playing real rugby aged 12
Personally I think scores do matter at this age they certainly do to the kids. It is all about performance but the kids certainly enjoy it more and buy into training more if they win.
The kids work hard in training on their skills and it is great to see them rewarded for it and it also brings them confidence as they improve.
I am not one of these coaches that has players picked out and playing positions at this age, which some do, every player gets a run in every role and every player gets on the field for the same length of time regardless of their ability, again something that I have seen does not always happen. Due to the number of kids we have it is damaging to our team and the result to switch players on and off but it would be totally against the principle of development not to.
I think it is important though to build a unit of togetherness from this age working towards the competitive stages and being rewarded and acknowledging a good performance and win is part of building that, I would go one step further and say not recording a win is damaging to a child's athletic and personal development, and plays a major part in the apathetic society that we currently live in.
My kids play tough, with class when they win or lose and have fun.
