Girl kicked off boys team for being too good?
Categories: Teens & tweens, In the news
12-year-old Jaime Nared is an excellent basketball player. Since second grade, she's been demonstrating her Michael Jordan-like skills on a boys team at The Hoop, a private basketball facility in Beaverton, Oregon. She's been known to score 30 points in a game and regularly runs circles around her male counterparts.
But last month, seemingly out of nowhere, her coach was informed by Hoop officials that Jaime had to go. The reason, they claim, is that league rules prohibit mixed-gender teams. This was news to Coach Michael Abraham, who has been coaching basketball for 32 years. "I never saw the rule," he says. "If I'd known about it, I wouldn't have put any of my teams in the league. Besides, she's been playing on this team since second grade, and she plays on our team when we travel around the region. There's never been any problem in any event, not one word of complaint."
Well, nobody complained about it until last month, when several parents let Hoop management know they weren't happy about Jaime's presence on the team. They say their sons don't play as well against her because they are nice boys who have been taught not to get rough with girls. They also believe that having a girl on the floor is distracting and preventing their boys from focusing on the game.
Coach Abraham, as well as Jaime's parents, think the real issue here is that this 12-year-old girl is making the boys look bad. "I remember one play. She stole the ball, dribbled up court and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate. He missed the lay-in, and she grabbed the rebound and put it in. I think it was just too much for some of those parents," says Jaime's mom, Reiko Williams. "The next day, she came home and said they wouldn't let her play with the boys anymore."
Hoop officials insist that they are just belatedly enforcing the rules that have existed the entire time Jaime has been playing for them. After a failed appeal, she is now playing with the girls - on a sixth grade team as well as a non-traveling high school team.
Considering the fact that Jaime Nared isn't the only girl ever to play in that league and that she was allowed to do it for so many years, the whole thing does seem a bit suspect. Obviously, Jaime thinks it is unfair. What do you think?
But last month, seemingly out of nowhere, her coach was informed by Hoop officials that Jaime had to go. The reason, they claim, is that league rules prohibit mixed-gender teams. This was news to Coach Michael Abraham, who has been coaching basketball for 32 years. "I never saw the rule," he says. "If I'd known about it, I wouldn't have put any of my teams in the league. Besides, she's been playing on this team since second grade, and she plays on our team when we travel around the region. There's never been any problem in any event, not one word of complaint."
Well, nobody complained about it until last month, when several parents let Hoop management know they weren't happy about Jaime's presence on the team. They say their sons don't play as well against her because they are nice boys who have been taught not to get rough with girls. They also believe that having a girl on the floor is distracting and preventing their boys from focusing on the game.
Coach Abraham, as well as Jaime's parents, think the real issue here is that this 12-year-old girl is making the boys look bad. "I remember one play. She stole the ball, dribbled up court and made a behind-the-back pass to a teammate. He missed the lay-in, and she grabbed the rebound and put it in. I think it was just too much for some of those parents," says Jaime's mom, Reiko Williams. "The next day, she came home and said they wouldn't let her play with the boys anymore."
Hoop officials insist that they are just belatedly enforcing the rules that have existed the entire time Jaime has been playing for them. After a failed appeal, she is now playing with the girls - on a sixth grade team as well as a non-traveling high school team.
Considering the fact that Jaime Nared isn't the only girl ever to play in that league and that she was allowed to do it for so many years, the whole thing does seem a bit suspect. Obviously, Jaime thinks it is unfair. What do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 19)
Lisa 5-20-2008 @ 6:54PM
I think this is so unfair to a girl who is obviously gifted in this sport. I was a girl who regularly played sports with the boys and made some of my best friends back then. Had I thought about it, I would have tried out for my junior high football team.
It does seem rather strange that they are "belatedly" enforcing this supposed rule after she made plays like the one described. Wouldn't you think a 32-year coach would have seen this rule SOMEWHERE???
And now she plays on the girls' teams and is probably bored out of her skull. She might have wanted to play on the boys' team because she felt more challenged on the court.
NO, I am not saying girls can't play as well as boys, but sometimes the guys will give you a better run for your money.
Reply
pbhj 5-20-2008 @ 7:55PM
>>> NO, I am not saying girls can't play as well as boys, but sometimes the guys will give you a better run for your money.
Whether you like it or not you are saying the guys play better, that's the meaning of your last phrase.
baller 9999999 5-26-2008 @ 2:12PM
I think they should let the girl play. I play ball too and if anyone want to play me for better competition that is great! If a girl comes to the court, shut me down, and score 30, then I would have to take a bow for that lady. Besides, the boys on the team need to learn how to fight for a spot on the team in a few years
Kitty 5-26-2008 @ 2:27PM
What a total crock. It's the parents, it's always the parents. they can't stand their precious little boys to be shown up by a mere girl. and obviously they have more influence on some higher up than anyone else. so show us the rule! some good attorney should have a field day with this one.
you go girl!
Barry Rankin 5-26-2008 @ 2:28PM
I could understand if she had never played in the league before but just because she is better than most boys at this age, well, the horse is already out of the barn. I have to believe if she finds a good lawyer she would win in court. Let Jamie play. We have girls on wrestling teams in high school and the contact is much more uncomfortable for the male opponents. Go Girl.
eddie hughes 5-26-2008 @ 2:39PM
it seems to me that the boys parents are crying because their boys are sissy,s and can not hang with this girl,it goes to show you that these parents know nothing about team sports,you put the best players on the floor,and you let everybody play after that,so these poor parents who must not be anykind of players themshelfs need to just understand that their kids just are not very good ,buy maybe this girl can help them and the parents should thank her for letting them on the same court with her.
cjyoung520 5-26-2008 @ 2:52PM
Hey, It should make the boys play that much harder! The wussie parents are ashamed that their sons let a "girl" beat them. Good for her.
The whimpy parents should give their boys lessons of life, not lessons of wussiness. Sometimes you lose, try harder next time and you might win!!
joanne wrobleski 5-26-2008 @ 2:57PM
I have three boys of my own and they are taught to respect girls and to never lay a hand on a girl, but I also taught them that on the playing field there is no difference. I am all for girls playing whatever they want no matter what, if those parents don't like it tough crap. It just means your precious boy is not as GOOD as that girl. A comment to those parents, Grow Up! when your son has a women boss are you going to complain to the CEO. My comment to her is GOOD FOR YOU! Keep fighting for your rights!!
Lynn 5-26-2008 @ 3:12PM
Go Girl!! I too played with the boys (back in the day), I then was forced to play with the girls, and then coached HS girls for many years. It appears our girls are still experiencing sexism at such a young age? I hope she can look ahead and know she played up with the boys (making many friends and earning their respect) and now, she will play up with the girls! She now has the oopportunity to move female athletics forward. Today, we have great scholarships in athletics for females and the WNBA! I hope her parents provide the solid ground to keep in mind the skills learned on the court are skills we take into life. And, unfortunately life is not fair, however...with good work ethics, moral and social development she will not only be a leader on the court but in life. And, to those other parents who believe that they need rescue their 12 year old from a very talented girl...who was making their son look bad, well...the reality is...I hope she doesn't hold it against him when he wants her autograph some day!
bobbinewman39 5-26-2008 @ 3:34PM
im dont think that she should have got kicked off for beeting most of the boys teams but if thats what made her better at it then they should of asked her if she wanted to play with the byos or tha girls c
watch the video on yahoo homepage
it tells u all about it
mztazfix 5-26-2008 @ 3:50PM
I think the parent's are using the excuse that their boys are "nice",and did not want to hurt her. Yea right! The parents don't want to see their little boys getting out done by a girl. I grew up playing sports with boys because there weren't that many things for girls and they never cut me any slack. Let the girl play...if she can play better than the boys, hooray for her. I was always told to play my best and if I beat a guy, then so be it.
Gcalico 5-26-2008 @ 4:45PM
Do those complaining parents know the meaning of "sportsmanship?"
David 5-26-2008 @ 4:09PM
It is too late to be enforcing rules that have been pretty much ignored until now. The fact of the matter is that it doesn't matter what may or may not have been printed in the rule book, it was not being practiced. Just by virtue of its practice, any written policy or rule to the contrary should be void--practice is now policy!!!! I am shocked and amazed that any court would not rule in favor of an appeal under these circumstances. No rule should be written without being enforced in 100% of the time, not when it suits those in authority. If you cannot or will not enforce it properly it is no longer a rule!!!
love865 5-26-2008 @ 4:09PM
I think it's a shame.The parents don't like the fact that a girl is showing up their boys.It's real obvious when this was from out of nowhere when she has been playing on the team since she was in second grade.These boys parents better wake up.There are several girls out there that could give them a run for their money.Just ask Pat Summit.
Alexxus 5-26-2008 @ 5:06PM
Thats not rite
girls should be able to do anything guys can. Just because shes a girl doesnt mean anything. If she can play with the boys without her vrying or getting hurt she SHOULD play. Im speaking from experince. Boys are better challenges and help you improve skill. Now that shes with that all girl team shes not learning anything.
Bill 5-26-2008 @ 5:15PM
Reminds me of people who complain about getting pulled over for speeding because "I always speed" So she had a good time and got better playing with boys. Now she can go back to playing with girls, something boys her age won't have the privilege of doing.
Ed 5-26-2008 @ 4:23PM
I'm 43, and a father of two girls 13 and 9. Both of my daughter play basketball and softball. The are both good in both sport, but my 13 year old is very good. She is better that all of the boys on her school's boys team. The girls teams played the boys team in a scrimage game. The girls were up by 12 points and the coach of the boys team stoped the game. People are not ready for girls that are better than boys. I love it. Jaime Nared do your thing. :-)
Albert 5-26-2008 @ 4:29PM
The guys were letting her make the plays. They did'nt want to rough her up. It sures does seem to me that you think she can't get the same level of play from the girls. If shes that good then she should shine on a girls team.
kim emery 5-26-2008 @ 4:42PM
We live in such a misogynistic society. Look at politics today. A dedicated, experienced, and strong woman is considered to be too emotional and pushy to be president. However, an inexperienced, unknown and untried man is considered to be charismatic and a better choice. The media has all but crucified Clinton for being a woman. With a society like ours today, why be surprised that a girl could be kicked off a team for being too good.
ed 5-26-2008 @ 4:47PM
there is a legend in WF, Tx where Mia Hamm played Jr High Boys Soccer. In the City finals the opposing coach told his boys that he "didn't care if she was a girl, Knock her on her keister". One of the boys responded. "Coach, I have been trying to knock her down, I just can't catch her?"
I saw that game. It might well have been true.