Recently the Metro AYF 4U Flag Championship games have been cancelled for our young athletes. Not the actual football games, but the ceremonies to reward our young athletes for their hard work, dedication and literally their blood, sweat and tears. Many say they are just “children” but 4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12 and 13 year olds are all “children." The image that metro AYF is projecting with this decision is that they are the 4U division and it’s not “that important" or “they won’t know." The 4-year old athletes of 2021 can read, write, add subtract and have a great understanding of friendship, teamwork and responsibility. So a response of “they won’t know” Is truly unacceptable. If the safety of our youth athletes was the primary concern of the Metro AYF and the games were cancelled. I would whole heartedly UNDERSTAND!!!!!!!! But they are not cancelled… they only thing that is cancelled is the reward that champions get for being CHAMPIONS!!!

In the beginning of the season, it was made clear that there would be a 4U championship and now the kids are only playing a scrimmage. The fact is that removing the trophies and a winner from the games will not guarantee the children's safety. 

Also, none of the coaches were included in this decision which is not fair at all, when they know these kids the most. How was this decision even made and how is it in the best interest of the children. The 4U flag league is for teaching and what are we teaching them by telling they all have to suffer, without any real explanation?

If they were any other age this would not be acceptable … and this is NOT ACCEPTABLE for our young athletes. If SAFETY is your concern, cite and remove the safety issues and allow the games to go on as planned and reward them, or cancel the games altogether!

Metro AYF do the right thing and show our youth that there are rewards for hard work dedication and perseverance!