‘My first camp with him, he began to kick kids’ balls across the gym for making a mistake. They were eleven. My first practice with him, he singled out a youth league player and screamed she was “f**cking r**arded” after she made a bad pass. She was fifteen. I listened to him, every week, berate and belittle and bully players, coaches, and staff members. He was intimidating. It was deliberate. I spoke out against the culture I saw building but I was ignored. I am in my late twenties. I can only imagine the fear of the little girls. This is a bigger issue than one individual. It is state-wide. It is national. Abuse and toxic environments are a massive threat to women and girls sport. It is a major reason, more than the shape and colour of uniform, as to why so many children are quitting. It is just not fun. It does not feel safe.’
© 2024 saraid taylor
Substack is the home for great culture