Football teams vs Classrooms - why don't some kids fit in?

The Middle Aged Spectator has been involved with football clubs and their teams, both junior and senior, in many ways over many years. Junior Coach, Club Secretary, Committee member, League Delegate, Team Manager,  barman, BBQ cook; the list is fairly extensive (and quite surprising to see all those positions listed).

The MAS’s sons played under-age and senior football at their local club, before leaving town for study and employment. Football clubs are interesting places full of interesting people, and one of the most important social tasks they perform is giving on the opportunity rub shoulders with, and work with, people you might not have anything to do with otherwise.

I recall coaching kids who were in all sorts of trouble with local police, or at school, but never put a foot wrong at the Club. I know of others who were never going anywhere academically, and were destined to a life of menial work, but always took part in training and matches with enthusiasm and on the same level as all the other players. And also, there were those players who left their country town to study at University, and who have gone on to carve out successful professional careers. The point is, that the footy club is a melting pot where everyone succeeds or fails together, and where one learns so much about society.

This all came back this week. The MAS is managing a representative schoolboys’ team, and word was received a few days ago that one team member has had his Principal’s support withdrawn due to poor behaviour at school. The system in which these rep teams operate requires each student’s Principal to support their place in the team, to guarantee if you like the good character of the student. He will be a disappointed boy, and maybe he will be angry, but probably should have known there was a chance this could happen, and was probably given opportunities to modify his behaviour before it came to this disastrous point. The MAS can’t condone whatever it was he did, but one can feel disappointed for him, knowing the way that some kids dig a hole so big for themselves that they can’t see a way out.

The MAS had met this kid on three occasions: the trial day, and at two subsequent weekend training sessions. This lad had never put a foot out of place as far as the team coaches and managers were concerned. He took part in every drill and training exercise enthusiastically, did not backchat and seemed to be developing a good relationship with his teammates (he was the only boy from his school in the squad).

Why is it that kids who bash their heads against the structures and requirements of school can fit in so well in a club environment? Is it because a junior footballer sees his coaches more as mentors than as teachers? Is it because at the club he is constantly encouraged in his endeavours? Is it the team aspect rather than the risk of failing on one’s own? Is it because he wants to be at the club because he can ‘do’ football whereas he might not be able to ‘do’ schoolwork?

What can schools learn from footy clubs about managing, teaching and working with young people?

Of course, there are some people who are really difficult to work with in football clubs, too. But as someone who has been a teacher for many years paralleling my time with football clubs, my experience would say there are more behaviour issues in classrooms than in training squads.