A decision by the Richmond school district to make elementary school track-and-field events gender-neutral and eliminate award ribbons has sparked backlash from some parents, who say the changes remove the excitement of competition and could discourage girls from participating in sports.
The district introduced the changes this season following a pilot program at four schools last year. The revised format introduced new activities to track meets, including football throw, Frisbee throw, and agility ladders, and removed the competitive aspect of meets as well as uses gender-neutral groupings.
“It feels like they’re taking away the importance of athletics and putting the emphasis solely on academics,” said Kimberley Nowitsky, whose son attends Grade 7 at Bridge Elementary. “Students still compete academically, for best projects or in provincial competitions, but when it comes to athletics, kids who excel are not being recognized.”
The issue, she said, isn’t so much about the physical ribbons or awards, but creating an environment that acknowledges students’ achievement and effort.
“A lot of parents feel kids need to learn how to win and lose gracefully, and to recognize talent and hard work when they see it. It’s not just about beating other people. It’s about celebrating community.”
In an emailed response to questions, the district said under the new system, all students in Grade 4 to 7 can take part in every event, rather than being limited to a couple of activities.
Students are organized into grade groups and rotate through stations, including jumping, throwing, and running events, according to a letter sent to parents. Students can choose between competitive and recreational options. Even in the competitive stream, where events are still timed or measured and results can be recorded, ribbons will no longer be awarded.
“The focus is on participation, learning, personal achievement and growth, consistent with other curriculum areas,” said the district.
Christopher Maika, whose daughter’s school Dixon Elementary participated in last year’s pilot, described the new meets as disappointing and lacking the excitement of traditional track meets.
“Most parents were very displeased,” he said. “We went to the ‘track meet’ and thought it was a joke. It felt more like a play day.”
He said parents should have been consulted before major changes were made to school sports programs.
Maika, who has four daughters, also worries the gender-neutral format could discourage girls from participating in sports. There are already fewer girls participating in high school sports, he said. The changes make it worse.
“You eliminate gender, you then have girls competing with boys, that’s throwing us back generations,” he said. “In some sports, like volleyball, girls get pushed out. In running sports, they don’t have a chance to place in the top three because the boys are ahead of them and it’s just no fun and demoralizing.”
Nice-Preparation6204 on
They should push back. We don’t need to soften up every single aspect of society like we’re doing. Diversity, inclusion and equality are all noble causes. So is competition and the lessons learned from winning and losing.
Muted_Carry7583 on
Healthy amount of competition is necessary for youth. Gender specific sport is set up to protect girls and encourage girls to compete with someone of similar capability, which is great for entire population.
RedBands619 on
Intramural and recess are for fun.
These kids are actively seeking out competition, want to participate in very competitive high-school and college teams when they get older.
Hell, the Olympics.
Can we not pussafy our kids anymore than we already do. It’s not great for society.
And I’m not stalking about inclusion here. Anyone who wants to compete should always be encouraged to do so.
But there are winners and losers. And I’m sure the girls are tired of losing to the boys. I’m sure they would want to be separate again
Revan462222 on
I swear when I was growing up in elementary school in the 90s, I don’t recall any gender-specific competitions. We did track and field type stuff and every kid competed. Sure back then there weren’t really 1st/2nd/3rd but like…I’m finding this silly.
VermicelliMission396 on
People are complaining about non-competitive sporting events and acting like there are no competitive events still available for these kids. There’s no pleasing you people.
No non-competitve events allowed! We must drill competition into these kids in every single aspect of sport.
Major_Lawfulness6122 on
I don’t get it.
30 years ago when I was in school, we had everyone compete together in track and field. It was not split by gender.
I think removing the awards is kind of lame though.
IllustriousRaven7 on
Imagine being so sensitive that you’re triggered by kids running. I bet none of these parents asked their kids what they thought.
Elizibeqth on
Sounds like some people dont want the boys to lose to girls.
spinosaurs70 on
Lol, we shouldn’t have kids competing in god damn elementary school.
Just why???
MsStewrawr on
I was good at soccer, loved playing with the boys. Never got upset if I was bested, I was bested by other girls too! Adults putting their thoughts on children is ridiculous.
deFleury on
As the klutz who was always last among the girls, mix-gender competition wouldn’t have made any difference to my self-esteem!
12 Comments
A decision by the Richmond school district to make elementary school track-and-field events gender-neutral and eliminate award ribbons has sparked backlash from some parents, who say the changes remove the excitement of competition and could discourage girls from participating in sports.
The district introduced the changes this season following a pilot program at four schools last year. The revised format introduced new activities to track meets, including football throw, Frisbee throw, and agility ladders, and removed the competitive aspect of meets as well as uses gender-neutral groupings.
“It feels like they’re taking away the importance of athletics and putting the emphasis solely on academics,” said Kimberley Nowitsky, whose son attends Grade 7 at Bridge Elementary. “Students still compete academically, for best projects or in provincial competitions, but when it comes to athletics, kids who excel are not being recognized.”
The issue, she said, isn’t so much about the physical ribbons or awards, but creating an environment that acknowledges students’ achievement and effort.
“A lot of parents feel kids need to learn how to win and lose gracefully, and to recognize talent and hard work when they see it. It’s not just about beating other people. It’s about celebrating community.”
In an emailed response to questions, the district said under the new system, all students in Grade 4 to 7 can take part in every event, rather than being limited to a couple of activities.
Students are organized into grade groups and rotate through stations, including jumping, throwing, and running events, according to a letter sent to parents. Students can choose between competitive and recreational options. Even in the competitive stream, where events are still timed or measured and results can be recorded, ribbons will no longer be awarded.
“The focus is on participation, learning, personal achievement and growth, consistent with other curriculum areas,” said the district.
Christopher Maika, whose daughter’s school Dixon Elementary participated in last year’s pilot, described the new meets as disappointing and lacking the excitement of traditional track meets.
“Most parents were very displeased,” he said. “We went to the ‘track meet’ and thought it was a joke. It felt more like a play day.”
He said parents should have been consulted before major changes were made to school sports programs.
Maika, who has four daughters, also worries the gender-neutral format could discourage girls from participating in sports. There are already fewer girls participating in high school sports, he said. The changes make it worse.
“You eliminate gender, you then have girls competing with boys, that’s throwing us back generations,” he said. “In some sports, like volleyball, girls get pushed out. In running sports, they don’t have a chance to place in the top three because the boys are ahead of them and it’s just no fun and demoralizing.”
They should push back. We don’t need to soften up every single aspect of society like we’re doing. Diversity, inclusion and equality are all noble causes. So is competition and the lessons learned from winning and losing.
Healthy amount of competition is necessary for youth. Gender specific sport is set up to protect girls and encourage girls to compete with someone of similar capability, which is great for entire population.
Intramural and recess are for fun.
These kids are actively seeking out competition, want to participate in very competitive high-school and college teams when they get older.
Hell, the Olympics.
Can we not pussafy our kids anymore than we already do. It’s not great for society.
And I’m not stalking about inclusion here. Anyone who wants to compete should always be encouraged to do so.
But there are winners and losers. And I’m sure the girls are tired of losing to the boys. I’m sure they would want to be separate again
I swear when I was growing up in elementary school in the 90s, I don’t recall any gender-specific competitions. We did track and field type stuff and every kid competed. Sure back then there weren’t really 1st/2nd/3rd but like…I’m finding this silly.
People are complaining about non-competitive sporting events and acting like there are no competitive events still available for these kids. There’s no pleasing you people.
No non-competitve events allowed! We must drill competition into these kids in every single aspect of sport.
I don’t get it.
30 years ago when I was in school, we had everyone compete together in track and field. It was not split by gender.
I think removing the awards is kind of lame though.
Imagine being so sensitive that you’re triggered by kids running. I bet none of these parents asked their kids what they thought.
Sounds like some people dont want the boys to lose to girls.
Lol, we shouldn’t have kids competing in god damn elementary school.
Just why???
I was good at soccer, loved playing with the boys. Never got upset if I was bested, I was bested by other girls too! Adults putting their thoughts on children is ridiculous.
As the klutz who was always last among the girls, mix-gender competition wouldn’t have made any difference to my self-esteem!