Put the kids first

Dear editor:
I would like to start by congratulating the Atikokan girls’ team on their Grade 8 basketball championship. I would also like to thank the referees who were consistent in their officiating of the games.
Unfortunately, a team that earned its way to the gold-medal game was denied their opportunity to prove themselves in a regional final. It also is unfortunate that two coaches found it appropriate to make a decision and pit each other in the gold-medal game.
The disagreement began once St. Francis had earned its place in the gold-medal game and the opposing coach then declared an ineligible player on our squad.
I question two things, in particular. The coach was concerned about a player whom I had coached as a member of St. Francis since early December and played three tournaments with the team (two weeks ago, she had moved one hour west of Fort Frances and now attends Our Lady of the Way School).
And secondly, the timing of his appeal. We had shared a bus and this coach rode along with this student from Mine Centre to Atikokan—sitting two seats in front of her. I sat parallel to the coach a foot-and-a-half away when. at the turnoff. I called the student by name and handed her a jersey.
We hopped off the bus and he watched this student as she played against them in the opening game.
After the round-robin, he declared the student ineligible once she and her teammates had earned their berth in the gold-medal game, saying he had not recognized the student until that moment and realizing she was now attending Our Lady of the Way since he played against her at the previous week’s tournament.
This particular student was concerned about the move a month earlier and brought it to our attention. Both I and the principal did not view it as a concern.
I questioned the two coaches about who brought about the concern, neither answered. I also asked about the timing of the appeal, as he did not bring it up on the bus nor after the first game.
His memory of the student eluded him until the round-robin was over.
I also requested to call the other coaches, explain the situation, and see if this was a concern. They denied the request and made their decision final, which meant St. Francis would forfeit all our round-robin games and thus finish last in standings—out of medal contention and out of any awards presentation.
I wish I could have displayed two outstanding unsportsmanlike awards.
I asked one or both to go over and explain the situation to the girls affected. As I expected, neither did as they turtled to their area of the gym and awaited their gold-medal game. Neither offered an apology nor explanation to the girls.
Perhaps I am in the wrong technically, but I coach because I enjoy coaching and working with students. I am not about to deny a player of mine a chance to play and spend a day with her former team and classmates.
This player had made the trek to Fort Frances to catch a bus at 6 a.m. and gave her full effort when she played. She was devastated to find out the appeal involved her and felt she let the team down.
It is not easy to explain when you and they know the time and effort they put in to have a chance to be regional champs and deservedly earned that right.
This is not the NCAA championships; it is developmental basketball and for most their final basketball game. I am extremely disappointed in the two selfish individuals who thought of their own personal accomplishments ahead of the kids.
Coaches have an obligation to teach the game, the skills, proper etiquette, and sportsmanship. More importantly, I would hope that most coaches are there to help develop the players’ character, and appreciate the time and effort they put forth.
I would like to end on a positive note and thank the young lady from Sturgeon Creek, who caught me before departing and, in the presence of her teammates and coach, offered me her bronze medal, saying, “It isn’t gold, but your team deserves the medal.”
Signed,
Dan Bird (coach),
Proud member
of the Grade 8
girls of St. Francis