As a parent, I've witnessed firsthand the dedication, commitment, and hard work our children put into their sports. They train tirelessly on and off the field, striving to excel not only for personal achievement but also for their schools' pride. However, it has become increasingly clear that there is an imbalance when private and public schools compete against each other in playoffs.

Private schools often have access to resources that public schools do not - such as better facilities, more experienced coaches or even the ability to attract top talent through scholarships. This creates an uneven playing field during playoff competitions. According to a study by The Atlantic (2013), private high school students are over twice as likely as public school students to reach Division I college sports.

This disparity undermines the spirit of fair competition that is integral to sportsmanship. It diminishes the value of hard work our children put in when they are set up against opponents who have had advantages they could never access.

It's time we address this issue head-on by separating private from public schools during playoff competitions. This will ensure fairness and respect for all student-athletes' efforts regardless of their school's funding status.

Please sign this petition if you believe in equal opportunities for all our young athletes irrespective of whether they attend a private or a public school.