Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sounds like the TD and president are easily manipulated.
When a parent becomes an "expert at playing politics," they stop being a supporter and start acting like a lobbyist. This shift transforms a game meant for kids into a high-stakes social chess match where the board is the sideline and the pieces are the players.
"Playing politics" usually involves a few specific, tactics
The Whisper Campaign: Planting seeds of doubt about a coach’s strategy or another player's performance to elevate their own child's standing.
Gatekeeping: Controlling the flow of information among other parents to create an "in-crowd" and an "out-crowd."
When backroom maneuvering takes center stage, the actual team and club suffers in major ways. When playing time or positions are influenced by a parent’s relationship with the coach, TD and President, the kids notice. If a player works twice as hard but loses their spot to the "connected" kid, their drive vanishes. Trust is the currency of a team; politics devalues it. Politics are contagious. Once one parent starts "maneuvering," others feel they must do the same just to keep their child on a level playing field. This creates a "cold war" atmosphere where parents are suspicious of one another rather than cheering for the whole squad.
Ultimately, the club’s reputation takes a hit. High-quality coaches and talented players will eventually leave for "cleaner" programs where the drama is kept to a minimum. You end up with a club that isn't known for its trophies or its player development, but for its sideline drama. The kids are almost always aware of the tension. When parents play politics, they teach their children that success isn't earned through sweat and skill, but through who you know and how well you can manipulate the system.