The Ellington Football League has had a tarnished reputation due to the toxic behaviors of adults within the board. Board members have been subject to harassment and bullying by other board members. Behaviors during meetings have been dismissed.

One board member called for the removal of multiple board members a few years back because they didn’t live in town, temporarily, and their children were playing on an alternate team. Meanwhile this board member doesn’t reside in town nor does said member have any children. This member has caused children to tell their parents they no longer want to play after being sidelined too often. When another coach stepped up to offer a voice for the children, the coach was removed from his position within the league.

Recently an anonymous email targeting two of our cheer coaches was sent to members of the board. The victims of the email were told that they couldn’t prove who was behind the email, while agreeing that it was most likely other board members, and that there wasn’t much they could do about it.

In turn, all four of our head cheer coaches have resigned, along with many assistant coaches. Due to this, there will most likely not be a cheer program for the season.

As remediation, the board adopted an Anti-Bullying Guide which outlined the code of conduct and steps for mediation. 

The board asked for parents who were concerned and wanting change to step up and apply for available board positions, yet current board members also applied and were voted by their peers to fill two of the open spots.

When a parent voiced concern at a meeting and asked questions in regards to board members holding multiple positions, and what the rules around voting were, the parent’s employer was later called by a member of the board where she was slandered for her “actions” at the meeting. The first to violate the Anti-Bullying Guide was a board member.

Many parents are now standing in solidarity with the cheer coaches, urging the board to take action and calling for the removal of the handful of board members who we know are responsible for this harmful behavior. In doing so, we are not registering our children for the program this season. 

This, in turn, ultimately affects our children. They love being a part of this league. They work so hard all season, have made friends who feel like family, and are all looking forward to the upcoming season. Now they suffer at the hands of adults who can’t behave as adults. Adults who are showing them that toxic behaviors are allowed. That if they don’t look a certain way, if they’re not in the “right” group, they can be ridiculed and have to accept it. 

As parents, we’re fighting back. We will show our children that they have a voice. They can stand up for themselves and others. They can make a change.

EFL Board members know what needs to be done at this point. Get rid of the members who are in it for the wrong reason. Don’t allow them to return to the board in the future. Allow the coaches who dedicate their time and energy - who want to be there for our children - their positions within the board. Allow parents who want a safe space for the children to be heard.