Good day. On this past Saturday it was derby day when Despatch travelled across the Swartkops river to play their old enemy, Muir College.
Normally there is a bit of niggle between these two teams but in this game that was played in rainy, wet and muddy conditions both teams came to play rugby and not each other. The game was high scoring and a great pleasure to watch as both teams tried to run the ball at each opportunity resulting in a high scoring game that Despatch won 32-29, a true reflection of the game.
But, and there usually is a but, the end of the game was soured by the Muir College bio-kinetics teacher, Mr Moodley, who took on the ref with all his venom in front of parents, visitors and pupils and this was an embarrassment to watch. As one of the Despatch parents remarked, this person is an embarrassment to Muir College. And I must say as a parent of Muir I was really embarrassed to watch how he carried on. Shame on you Sir. As parents we entrust our children to your care. You should be ashamed of yourself. Perhaps it is time for us to look elsewhere for our children’s education.
Regards
Embarrassed Muir Supporter.
Port Elizabethan
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Pity that parents and teachers sometimes forget that they are Role Models to our youth. Emotions shouldn’t get in the way – particularly not on school grounds.
Yes and you are the perfect role model, by talking about donkey carts etc. You are probably one of those people who forgets how much this country has changed for the good. Then again, with this lack of understanding, it’s no wonder you are the perfect role model, with a post like that! By the way, very apt pseudonym!
There is a time and a place for everything and I do not believe that getting all emotional, on the fringes of a school rugby field, is appropriate behaviour. I have seen coaches from some schools using abusive language on a field and have thanked my lucky stars that my son isn’t under their care. I have heard refs threatening to call matches off due to the parents behaviour too. Yes, sport is exciting, but teaching kids inappropriate behaviour is simply not an option.
Perhaps you were one of the many Proud Springbok supporters who booed Morné Steyn (Oh dear and now I have mentioned another name) @ the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on the 23rd June, 2012, after missing a couple of penalties –
The day that I was so embarrassed by the Eastern Cape mentality – unacceptable sporting behaviour!
What exactly is wrong with a Pseudonym?
Obviously this “Embarrassed Muir Supporter” was watching a different game. You forgot to notice the sheer amount of pure bias displayed in favour of the away team.
Be that as it may, this is not the blame game, and my actual point is of more relevance: When you play (or coach) a team, and put blood, sweat and tears into your team it does sometimes happen that emotions may get the better of you. It is known that Mr Moodley is actually prime example of a teacher and ambassador of the school who gives 120% whenever representing the College. He literally puts his heart and soul into Muir College. This is not done for himself, but purely for the Boys. He is an asset to the school.
From personal experience, it is highly frustrating when you (and those on the field) give their all, and are simply victims to something unfair and out of your control. All that passion and emotion sometimes does occasionally boil over. (Do I need to remind you of the RWC/Bryce Lawrence issue?)
I presume you are neither passionate nor committed enough to understand the nature of pride. Neither are you someone who has been on the receiving end of this unfairness.
I am not stating that what Mr Moodley did was correct. I am merely stating that you must understand the context of the situation. It is one thing to be sitting in the stands, and it is another to (yet again) of this biased behaviour seen in the Schools rugby. Any 1st Team coach will understand what I am talking about.
On a bigger topic, this is not the first time poor refereeing has been the reason for overaction from coaches, players and players. Something needs to be done about it.
PS- if you were a true supporter, you wouldn’t actually be mentioning names of others whilst hiding under some cowardly pseudonym. (I by the way, did not mention any new names).
What sort of coward mentions names under a pseudonym?
Grow up and realize that sport is about passion and in the heat of the moment anything is possible!
As a proud Muirite and Old Boy, Mr Moodley has my backing, as anyone who has coached at any level will understand his actions. I would much rather have my children educated by a man with passion, who puts his heart into his job! Those men and educators are few and far between!
You are judging, when you committ a similar injustice by publicily tarnishing a man’s reputation! Why don’t you man up and sign off your cowardly letter!
Show me a coach who hasn’t had a public out burst in defense of his team and you will show me a loser!
I was personally standing next to Mr Moodley on Saturday on
the side of the field and will simply not sit back and watch someone make a
personal attack on a man over a situation which they have no knowledge on. For you
to stand all the way up on the hill far away from the incident in question
where you can hear absolutely nothing that’s been said on the field is
absolutely absurd. To say, and I quote, “Mr Moodley, who took on the ref with
all his venom in front of parents, visitors and pupils and this was an
embarrassment to watch”, how could you possibly make such vague assumptions on
a public forum when you in fact don’t know what happened at all. As already
stated Mr Moodley is a man who continually gives his heart and soul into Muir
College and NEVER puts himself above others. I have personally witnessed Mr
Moodley’s selflessness in the manner in which he goes out of his way to help
the boys at Muir College and even more so those less fortunate and it is truly
inspirational. As already stated this is not a blame game but you clearly have
got no knowledge on the game of rugby or how it is to be officiated as if you
did you would understand the reason for Mr Moodley’s anger and frustration. To threaten
to search for alternate education for your child simply bears testament to the
fact that you are not the type of parent that is needed at this great school.
Muir College is a school of pride, passion and rich traditions and Mr Moodley
is one of the teachers who continuously pushes his players to strive toward
this pride and passion and achieve results. At Muir College one often hears
people talk about “The Muir College Family” to which you Sir/Ma’am clearly DO
NOT BELONG!!! Dale Esselaar PROUD OLD MUIRITE!!!