Once again, another Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Schoolboy Football season has begun, and the topic of ISSA’s 45% rule has found its way back to the fore of public discussion and debate.
For those who are unaware, ISSA, which is an association comprised of the principals of the 169 member schools; has decreed that any student wishing to represent their school in any ISSA related sporting competition, must show the competency to maintain a 45% minimum average in at least four subjects.
The general observation when listening to any vox pop exercise regarding the subject, is that the jury of public opinion is split right down the middle on this one; with half of the people believing in and supporting the rule and the other half calling it Draconian and exclusionary. Those who support the rule, believe that student-athletes should be just that………STUDENT-athletes and the emphasis should be on their scholastic advancement above and beyond all else.
The other side believes that school is about preparing youngsters for life and that sporting careers are as lucrative, practical and realistic now as are the more traditional and accepted academic based career options of yesteryear.
But is this really an accurate analysis, or are we using the Usain Bolts and Asafa Powells of the world to justify academic mediocrity amongst our youngsters? Beyond high school, how many student-athletes go on to have successful careers in sports? How many students end up earning a living in the conventional work force? How do these two figures compare as a ratio one to the other?
When i was going to high school and playing sports, ISSA had their requirement, my school had their internal requirement and my parents had their own personal requirements which “forced ” me to keep my grades at or above 70% if I wanted to participate in extra-curricular sporting activities.
Whilst it is a fact that not all persons have the same strengths and weaknesses, it is arguable that, for the most part, all persons have more or less the same capacity to learn as long as they are willing to put in the requisite work. The question must be asked: “Outside of a genuine learning disability, what circumstances are there to prohibit a child from achieving a 45% average in not all but 4 subjects?
In real terms, you are asking a child to retain less than half of what he is taught in 4 subjects; Is this really all that unreasonable? Sports is an extra-curricular activity and if you cannot exhibit proficiency in your regular activities, on what grounds can you reasonably ask to be given extra on top of that? Playing sports is a privilege not a right, but that’s just my opinion…….. what’s yours?
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Yardie Sports and its related entities.
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