The game some parents, coaches and children look forward to the most, but for others it fills them with dread.

The rivalry of 2 teams at the same club within the same age group at times is great, with friendly banter between the 2, however at other times it can be more than this.

Read this coaches recent experience of the dreaded Derby.

Get your FREE Grassroots Mag HERE

A recent game played against a team from the same club in the same age group, became more about rivalry between the coaches, so much so that it really affects the play of one of the teams.

Rather than showing support and encouragement to 20 kids all wanting to play football to the best of their ability, it resulted in some inappropriate comments and lots of gloating after the game, so much so that other coaches in the club and league were soon notified of the results of this game.

It saddens me that this is even an issue in grassroots football, what message does this send to all the children involved in this game?

We are one club so surely we should want the best for all of our teams and whilst all kids, coaches and parents want the win, surely there has to be some dignity attached to the victory.

Huge FREE coaching archive from Grassroots

Certainly leaves a bitter taste in the mouth when the “one upmanship” of one coach to another is more important than the kids playing football.
It leaves me wondering, is it the same at all clubs??
Anon

What is your experience when playing a team from the same club? 

Is it more intense or is there more support all round?