Let the boys ‘play outside’

LET THE BOYS go outside and play.

The plea came from assistant director at the National Sports Council (NSC) Mona Alleyne while noting there is a decline in boys playing cricket in the annual Guardian Group Herman Griffith Primary Schools Competition.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the competition last Thursday, Alleyne claimed many parents are keeping their children inside the house where they are watching computer games.    

“I want to say to you parents there has been a concern from the physical education teachers early in the [school] term that some of the kids are not as proficient as they should be at throwing and catching and doing certain boy days things,” she said.

“You have given them the tablets, you have given them the cellphones, you have given them all those toys but they need to get out and exercise. They need to get fit, they need to be able to climb trees, they need to be able to hop and jump and skip and those are basic skills that are missing,” said Alleyne.

“My message to the parents is don’t let them stay long on the little gadgets, give them a chance to do that, but give them that opportunity to play outside,” she added.

The former president of the Barbados Netball Association said there was the unprecedented situation this year where four schools merged together to form two teams.

“The numbers are falling within the schools and a school may only be able to provide five players, so what we did this year, we encouraged schools to join with other schools so that they can make a team,” Alleyne said.

Alleyne further pleaded with schools and parents to continue to support the NSC’s cricket programme. 

“I want you parents to give your children a chance to be boys and girls. Enjoy their boy days. I want you to continue to give the coaches the support they need to train the youngsters in this beautiful game that seems like it is having some serious challenges,” she said.

Alleyne also made reference to the large number of teams forfeiting matches in the Barbados Cricket Association’s competitions on weekends by not showing up for play.

“The whole culture of cricket and playing cricket has now changed, but we hope that in the development of the sport and continuing that things begin to improve and people pay a little more attention to the quality of what is happening,” she said.

Bayley’s defeated fellow St Philip school, Reynold Weekes in the final to win the competition for a fifth time.

 ezrastuart@nationnews.com