Childhood innocence bartered for Win-at-all-Cost
View(s):“Children need to be religiously taught at home and in school those values that transcend petty attitudes and shallow loyalties that often pass off for school spirit, and lead to unfortunate clashes on and off the field of sport! Sports in schools must be part of a well-rounded education system. But when alumni and authorities focus more on winning at all costs and teach that winning is all that’s important, that’s the thin end of the wedge. Very soon we lose our very souls! The pressure on schoolchildren to excel in sport has gone beyond all sane proportions. Since when do we use our children to entertain us and give us a good show on a Saturday afternoon, and then condemn them if ‘our side’ loses? Since when do we insist on winning at all costs to boost our image at the expense of values that we ought to be teaching our boys for life? Since when does our loyalty to our school depend only on victory? We need perspective”. Rev Marc Billimoria the Warden of St. Thomas’s College Mount Lavinia on a subject he is passionate about “children”.
The Principal of Lalith Athulathmudali expressed similar views last week and was quoted in this column. The thinking of two education administrators bring some hope when there is much excreta in school Rugby.
Two more incidents of exposed insanity has been added last week. The worst being the physical abuse of match officials after Trinity lost to Science. In the midst there are people who want to fish in troubled waters. The slant eyed, squinted looks and crooked talkers are pests that society should avoid and handle with care when confronted.
The Pathana issue is still blowing across the field and old boys are on overdrive in damage control. It is understood that the Principal has lodged a complaint with the police against some in the mob, and also provided video evidence in support. Pathana appears to accept; a mistake has been done. They do not want to cover their sins by pointing to the referee. They were worried that Rohan Fernando was appointed to blow the match against Wesley, and were taking steps to control their supporters, while Wesley was worried as hosts. Ultimately, all were satisfied with Referee Rohan. Incidentally, the good that came about after the previous incident is that the Referees Society referred the video for a report to a Senior London Referee Official. So much; they have offered to send Rohan for two months, so that, he could gain from the exposure and contribute more to Sri Lanka Rugby.
Post-match conduct by spectators supposed to be from Trinity, is alien to the ethos of a school which prides itself as pioneers. It is equally repulsive when some relate this to another incident not long ago, and believe the thugs would have taught the referee a lesson. The issue to be addressed is whether this once looked-up-to school is setting an example. People danced when the Science College Anthem was sung. Was it because it was in the native language? Some try to introduce a class issue of a lesser known school climbing with the help of referees, to defeat the better known school. It was not long ago that lesser known Rugby schools accused referees of favouring the better known schools. If the referees are not thought of as darlings of the big schools, I think they have done a good job.
If you wish to set an example, you probably, should listen to the Principal of LalithAthulathudali, who has a better understanding of values and ethos. Having lost many of his players to better Rugby playing schools, he looks at it positively, as that school can offer his students what he cannot.
After the Trinity-Science match the referee was verbally and physically abused as he walked towards the dressing room. His Assistant Referees (AR) came to his assistance and bundled him into the medical room. Unable to get at the referee, the mob bodily lifted an assistant and assaulted him. As per the AR report, one man in the mob has been identified as a parent of a junior Rugby player. Now he is worried that it will affect his son, and is calling the AR who identified him. Why did he not think of the other sons too? Praise is also due to Pradeep Basnayaka of the coaching staff, who took on the mob and reminded them of the damage they are causing to the schools.
The School Authorities have informed the SLSRFA that an inquiry has been initiated against 10 people including the ‘suspect’ parent. The rest of the mob, according to eye witnesses, were gentleman in dress but otherwise hooligans. The action is further soured by reports that some schoolboys in uniform were also seen throwing bottles. Why not like Pathana, make a Police entry?
The Trinity Principal has called for an inquiry on the referee’s decisions and sought clarifications before the June 3. Yet there is no mention or a modicum of remorse expressed on the sordid incident of serious referee abuse. Nor is there anything on the uncouth behavior which leaves a trail for students to lose their souls. Quite a contrast!!
Remonstrating during a match, with a wrong signal, when your team is penalised or, saying we lose matches because of referees, in this culture, demonstrates shallowness: This is not Scotland where you could gesture, but it is all over with the long whistle. It is a different message that is conveyed to the faithful who believe this man knows Rugby, as he is from Scotland. I was reminded by one who is less of a hooligan, that he asked about Scotland’s loss in the World Cup because the referee erred. The answer was the referee had to make an immediate decision, and it was all over. Scotland accepted and there was no assault, though Joubert ran away. What is the difference in thinking now?
I read a poster at Harbord United Junior Rugby League Football Club, a community treasure of the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Remember – These are kids – This is a game –The referees are human – The coaches are volunteers- This is not the NRL – Before you complain have you volunteered or not?
The Scottish Rugby School and Youth Planning Charter July 2015 has a special section – Parents & Spectators Code. The preamble to which is to encourage young players, support their development and set a good example. The code includes • Teach your child to play by the rules • Instil the importance of good sportsmanship and honest endeavour • Encourage playing for enjoyment and reiterate that winning isn’t everything • Respect match officials and their decisions• Avoid confrontation and discourage negative behavior. The “Mzungu” from Scotland should be aware of these.
There are similar codes in England, Wales and Ireland New Zealand Australia and South Africa and in most countries the club or school is responsible for the behavior of their fans.
Some say when the match is over after 80 minutes, there is no responsibility for the safety of the referee or, for a spectator’s conduct. The best one could do is to read the World Rugby or other disciplinary reports and stop supporting cowards.
At the Wesley-Kingswood match there was a quick throw after the ball bounced off the wall and Pathana scored, prompting calls for clarification. The Law says a quick throw is not permitted if a person has touched the ball, apart from the player throwing it in, and an opponent who carried it to touch.
A person referred to is a human being who is a player or a human outside the playing area. This also possibly means the ball can bounce off an animal. It is a nice law to remember that the “person” cannot be an animal, and also, animals don’t become persons, when many are trying to changing from being persons to animals.
“There are highly paid, professional Rugby coaches out there, whose charges are making mistakes and dropping balls, but of course, they don’t get as vilified as match officials do,”
* Vimal Perera is a former player, coach, referee and an IRB Accredited Referees’ Educator