School Makes Kids Sign Contract And Bans Banter In Playground Football

I remember the good old days of playing football in school. The further up the school ladder you went the further up the playground you got till the days you were allowed on "top pitch." What I don't recall is signing a contract that said "no banter," admittedly that's because I'm old enough to remember a time before banter was all the rage...

Back when I played football in the school I'm pretty certain the only rules were made by the goalkeeper, like whether it counted as a goal or if the jumper/goalpost would have made the ball bounce out of play, if he was going to fetch the ball for if it was "play on," and of course when it was time for the next keeper to take over.

However Forthill Primary in Dundee have taken playground football to a whole different place with a set of rules and a contract for parents and players alike to sign and it's just awful. As well as banning banter there's also no room for gloating, Ronaldoesque ball hogging and no arguing over a foul. These are staples of playground football!

Dad Ryan Finnegan, a level 3 SFA coach, told the Dundee Telegraph how ridiculous the situation was saying:

"We couldn't believe what we were reading.

"The staff have taken this totally out of proportion. Some children might be a bit over-boisterous but they're just kids.

"I showed a friend of mine, who works for Dundee United, and he said it was ludicrous - it basically says that children can't tackle each other. It also says 'don't hog the ball'. Could you imagine if Messi or Ronaldo had that in their contracts?

"The council wants to get children involved in activities to keep them fit and active.

"But this will put kids off if they're scared of getting into trouble."

A Dundee City councillor defended the absolutely ridiculous contract saying: "The letter has been issued following a number of issues that have occurred this school year during break and lunchtime football games. These then, at times, have been carried into the general playground or into teaching time."

Look guys, sometimes kids aren't that well behaved especially when 'competitive' sport comes into it but let them be kids and learn to respect each other and the sport in their own time!

Banning banter?! What has this world come to?

(Via: Dundee Evening Telegraph)

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28