Alexandra Hall Hall examines how, in the race to make huge sums of money, US sports are becoming joyless, ruthless, and exploitative, crushing the spirits of many young players
Unfortunately, the same thing seems to be happening to sports in the UK. For most youngsters, and parents, the focus seems to be on becoming a professional, doing well enough to get a youth contract with a professional team, ignoring the fact that only a tiny percentage will ever manage this.
There are all too many people ready to take financial advantage via charges for coaching and equipment. There is now a plethora of “performance” apps available, with even children’s and youth games subject to the analysis that even professional sports were not subject to.
There have also been a series of scandals regarding the sexual abuse of young players by adults within the “system”, which has resulted in some safeguarding improvement.
Am I looking back through rose-tinted glasses to an imaginary time when sport was enjoyment?
Thank you. I didn’t know it was happening in the UK as well, but perhaps it’s inevitable. The merciless collection of statistics is really soul destroying. It’s one thing to have the occasional bad game. It’s another thing altogether, to have it recorded in black and white, for all to see for the rest of days.
Unfortunately, the same thing seems to be happening to sports in the UK. For most youngsters, and parents, the focus seems to be on becoming a professional, doing well enough to get a youth contract with a professional team, ignoring the fact that only a tiny percentage will ever manage this.
There are all too many people ready to take financial advantage via charges for coaching and equipment. There is now a plethora of “performance” apps available, with even children’s and youth games subject to the analysis that even professional sports were not subject to.
There have also been a series of scandals regarding the sexual abuse of young players by adults within the “system”, which has resulted in some safeguarding improvement.
Am I looking back through rose-tinted glasses to an imaginary time when sport was enjoyment?
Thank you. I didn’t know it was happening in the UK as well, but perhaps it’s inevitable. The merciless collection of statistics is really soul destroying. It’s one thing to have the occasional bad game. It’s another thing altogether, to have it recorded in black and white, for all to see for the rest of days.