[Aliantha]

I've got to say that sometimes kids sporting events can be a seething mass of opposing forces socially.

I have a lot of issues with the parents of some of the kids my boys play football with. I don't approve of the ethics (or lack of) shown by some parents, or the highly competitive behaviour exhibited by said parents - which of course leads to a lot of conflict between the kids.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's a good thing to be competitive, but correct me if I'm wrong here. I thought the competition was supposed to be between 'our' team and the opposing side. Not between the boys (and girl) in the team.

I also believe there's competition and there's poor sporstmanship. The latter is the thing which bothers me.

Anyway, we've stopped associating with the families who I don't feel offer the best examples to the kids although because it's unavoidable at practice and game days, the kids still get to learn about what not to do, so I guess that's good in a way.