A metropolis in Alabama is defending itself in opposition to criticism following a youth basketball event the place the dad and mom of a fifth-grade women group claimed they weren’t awarded the first-place trophy after defeating a boys leisure group within the title sport as a result of they have been women.
Jayme Mashayekh, whose daughter performs in a aggressive women league representing Spain Park, wrote in a Facebook submit final week that the group of all Hoover City School college students was informed in the course of the center of the season that they might not use Hoover services to follow in except they paid to play within the district’s leisure league.
The metropolis mentioned in an announcement that in the identical event, a boys “elite group” gained a championship and was not awarded a trophy. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
“They have been informed to remain collectively as a group they needed to play up a stage in competitors and play the fifth grade boys,” Mashayekh mentioned within the submit.
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She went on to say that earlier than the championship, the group was informed that they might take part however wouldn’t be awarded the trophy in the event that they gained.
“‘Excuse me? What?’ What did they do to get disqualified? Did they not pay their dues? Did they not play up a stage in competitors? Oh, it’s as a result of they’re GIRLS?!?!” Mashayekh wrote.
“So positive sufficient these fifth grade women performed their hearts out, left all of it on the ground and battled their male counterparts solely to be informed, “No, I’m sorry you don’t rely.”
Mashayekh known as the scenario a “onerous lesson,” one which she didn’t imagine “we needs to be instructing our boys or women these days.”
Mashayekh known as the scenario a “onerous lesson,” one which she didn’t imagine “we needs to be instructing our boys or women these days.” (iStock)
But the town issued an announcement on Monday, clarifying that the choice had nothing to do with the group’s gender however quite the Hoover Parks and Recreation Department (HPRD) guidelines.
“For a few years, HPRD has allowed ‘elite’ groups based mostly in Hoover to take part in tournaments it conducts. Those ‘elite’ groups will not be sought out by HPRD, however quite they arrive to HPRD and ask to take part. Members of ‘elite’ groups are hand chosen. They don’t undergo the identical expertise analysis as those that take part on common recreation league groups. Therefore, ‘elite’ groups willingly comply with compete in opposition to recreation groups in a unique division inside their grade stage or in opposition to groups which might be above their grade stage to make sure honest competitors for all youth athletes.”
The assertion continued, “If an ‘elite’ group participates in an HPRD youth event and makes it to the championship spherical, they aren’t eligible to obtain any awards/trophies. Only common recreation groups are eligible for awards/trophies.”
The assertion additionally famous that these groups “are made conscious of and agree” to the foundations that don’t permit them to gather trophies or awards in the event that they advance to a championship sport.
The metropolis points an announcement Monday clarifying that the choice had nothing to do with the group’s gender however quite the Hoover Parks and Recreation Department (HPRD) guidelines.
“It is essential to notice the identical provisions have all the time utilized to each women and boys ‘elite’ groups. HPRD has by no means handled any group in another way based mostly on gender or another issue, aside from the “elite” standing of some groups.”
The metropolis additionally mentioned that in the identical event, a boys “elite group” gained a championship and was not awarded a trophy.
“They weren’t eligible due to their ‘elite’ standing. This successful group included the son of a City of Hoover elected official, which signifies the identical guidelines are utilized to all groups, no matter gender.”
The metropolis mentioned it plans to assessment its present insurance policies “to make sure competitors and recognition procedures are honest to all individuals” and likewise invited each successful groups to attend the Hoover City Council on Monday night “in order that they are often acknowledged for his or her latest victories.”
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