WI local:Concern over parents' Conduct at Junior Cricket

Coaches and Officials of the National Sports Council (NSC) are concerned about the behaviour of adults at matches in the Piton Malta Herman Griffith Primary Schools' Cricket Competition.

In a recent match, a boy called an umpire a ".... thief" after spectators on the boundary edge had abused the umpire.

Yesterday, Erskine King, director of the NSC, said the behaviour of some of the lads was triggered by misguided adults, and it was unfortunate that the incident occurred.

He cautioned adults to realise that if they encouraged the young players to behave badly, it could cause a major problem and even embarrassment when the players graduated to a higher level.

"We would like parents and spectators to desist from this type of behaviour," King said. "We know they will be disappointed if the team loses, but that is all part of the game."

Adrian Donovan, a senior NSC coach, said the entire scenario was a sad reflection on society, "and it is a very sad state of affairs when it occurs at this level because this is where it all begins".