Post by Jessiealan on Feb 12, 2017 23:15:54 GMT -5
Jersey CYO basketball team made up of 5th grade boys and girls was asked to kick the girls off their team or forfeit the season.
They chose forfeit.
NJ.com detailed the story of the St. John's 5th grade basketball team after the league's director handed down the ruling that a coed basketball team was not allowed in the boys league. The players' parents explained the league's decision to the team, but they said they'd rather forfeit than kick off their teammates.
your decision to play the game without the two young ladies on the team, or do you want to stay as a team as you have all year?" asked parent Matthew Dohn. "Show of hands for play as a team?"
Eleven hands shot up in unison. No one raised a hand when asked the alternative.
Assistant coach Keisha Martel, who is also the mom of one of the girls, Kayla Martel, reminded the team of the consequences. They had been told that playing the girls in any game would mean the rest of the season would be forfeited.
"But if the girls play, this will be the end of your season. You won't play in the playoffs," she warned.
"It doesn't matter," one boy replied and others echoed, before the team began to chant, "Unity!"
In the crowd, supporters cheered along. Several parents began to cry.
After the decision, the opposing team left the gym as did the officials. The St. Johns team split its own team up and played a scrimmage against each other. They wore "#UnityGames" T-shirts for the scrimmage.
There is a video at the link.
www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/5th-grade-coed-basketball-team-chooses-to-forfeit-season-instead-of-kicking-girls-off-the-team/ar-AAmRu6c?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
My daughter plays (3rd grade) and she is the 2nd top scorer on their team.