life isn't fair

Girls are allowed to play on boys' soccer teams. Our state soccer association acknowledges that, our national soccer association acknowledges that and our local organization gives their okay to it as well.

But, as of this morning, the middle kid, along with four of her female teammates, will not be allowed to compete with their team in their team's U16 boys soccer league. And because the team needed those five girls to even take the field, now the whole team is in jeopardy for league play. The team is still approved to play in three tournaments this season by those event directors.

This change is despite the fact that the roster was stamped and approved weeks ago by the league. This is despite the fact that they have already played two games in the league. This is despite of local and national rulings on the matter.

You see, our local league is run by one man. And one man has the veto power and has decided to yank the roster and not allow the team to play if they field the girls. The team can borrow boy players and continue on if they choose to do so. But, no pony tails on the field from this point on.

Why did this happen? Well, kids get hurt playing soccer and last week one of the girls got hurt....by her own goalie....who is a girl. The ambulance had to come. It is serious; a concussion that is still being observed. The same freak accident could have happened in an all boys or an all girls game. It could have happened in a basketball or baseball game.

Accidents aren't gender specific or gender neutral.

But apparently, the facts and even the stated rules aren't relevent.

Hard to look your kid in the face and tell them, it is all about money and lawsuits and the fact that even today some folks don't think girls should be playing with boys.

So we wait to see what the team votes to do. We have options. Our local organization is working with us. We have the ability to shine a light on what has happened. But in the meantime, my kid will be sitting on the bench Thursday night, dressed out, cheering on her team and holding her head high.

Nope, Love, Life isn't fair, but how you deal with the unfairness makes all the difference in the world....if not for you, then maybe for someone else.