This letter was published in the Cairns Post Qld on the 2/8/1999 and reprinted in the NTFL Qualifying and Elimination finals program on the 3/3/2002.

As many supporters know I go to a lot of junior and senior matches that involve St Marys and even many other games that don’t involve St Marys.

Unfortunately there is a core of spectators from all clubs that abuse their children for not getting in and having a go. When I read this I really feel for those children in the U/13's,U/14’s, U/15's and U/16’s that this happens to.

I hope that AFLNT Junior Foundation doesn’t mind me reprintiong it on my web site in the hope that it will get through to some of those parents who don't realise that junior football is all about their kids having fun.

Dear Mum and Dad

I hope you won’t get mad at me for writing this letter, but you always told me to never keep anything back that ought to be brought out into the open. So here it goes:

Remember the other morning at the footy when my team was playing and you were watching?

Well I hope that you won’t get mad at me, but you kind of embarrassed me. Remember when I went after the ball in front of goal trying to score and I got tackled?

I could here you yelling at my opponent for getting in the way. It wasn’t his fault that is what he is supposed to do

Then do you remember yelling at me on the other side of the field? The coach told me to cover my man, and I couldn’t if I listened to you. While I was trying to figure out what I should do, they scored against us. Then you yelled at me for being in the wrong place.

You shouldn’t get angry with the coach taking me off the field. We all have to have a turn sitting off for a while.

The coach knows what he is doing and he’s a very good coach and a nice person besides, he’s just a volunteer, who want’s to make sure we learn the skills of the game, and how to enjoy it more, just because he loves the game

I guess you were pretty mad at me all the way home. I was trying really hard, but I guess I’m just a pretty crummy footy player, but I really love playing and I have a great time being with the other kids, learning to compete and being part of a team. It’s a good sport, but how can I learn if you don’t show me a good example

Anyhow, I thought I was playing footy for fun, to have a good time and to learn sportsmanship.

I never realised you would get so upset because I couldn’t be a star.

From your loving child