Random Coaches Stalking Your Daughter on Social Media

[WalkOffHR]

I assume we are talking about very young girls under the age of 15. I am also assuming that the motives involved by the contacting coach are strictly to poach players and nothing more sinister. Realistically an adult contacting a player is probably far less effective at that age than say, having an existing star player from the coach's team reach out via social media and try to recruit said player. I know that happens all the time. Especially toward the end of the summer around tryout time.

Anyway DD is now 17 and she emails, texts and talks to college coaches regularly. I don't think twice about it. But I guess I would probably feel differently if she were 13 and some coach from an unknown team randomly contacted her on social media. I guess that begs the question, what if the coach reaching out to DD is highly regarded and from one of the top travel organizations in this part of the country and is simply inviting her to tryouts after the season after seeing her play at a tournament? Would that be creepy? Is there an age where it is no longer an issue? Does gender of the coach make a difference? Just curious what others think

 

[wvanalmsick]

I assume we are talking about very young girls under the age of 15. I am also assuming that the motives involved by the contacting coach are strictly to poach players and nothing more sinister. Realistically an adult contacting a player is probably far less effective at that age than say, having an existing star player from the coach's team reach out via social media and try to recruit said player. I know that happens all the time. Especially toward the end of the summer around tryout time.

Anyway DD is now 17 and she emails, texts and talks to college coaches regularly. I don't think twice about it. But I guess I would probably feel differently if she were 13 and some coach from an unknown team randomly contacted her on social media. I guess that begs the question, what if the coach reaching out to DD is highly regarded and from one of the top travel organizations in this part of the country and is simply inviting her to tryouts after the season after seeing her play at a tournament? Would that be creepy? Is there an age where it is no longer an issue? Does gender of the coach make a difference? Just curious what others think

The difference between the college coach and a travel coach is that the girl has to initiate the contact with college coaches. With travel coaches, it is usually the travel coach who initiates the contact. Which that begs to ask, "What would you do as a coach if a 13 year old from outside your team texts, emails, or FB IM's you?"

IMHO, I think that all contact from a travel coach/parent should go through the girl's parent(s) until the girl is 18 years of age. A reputable travel coach from any high-caliber team should have the ethics and common-sense to go through the parents, not the girl.

 

[coachjwb]

In this day and age, travel coaches wanting to talk with girls under the age of 18 should always work with their parents. If one reaches out to you, ask her to have her parents contact you.

 

[wow]

IMHO, I think that all contact from a travel coach/parent should go through the girl's parent(s) until the girl is 18 years of age. A reputable travel coach from any high-caliber team should have the ethics and common-sense to go through the parents, not the girl.

This is spot on. Any coach who is not smart enough to already know this would be questionable from a judgment perspective.

 

[Scott_K]

It is sad to say, this is happening and it is creepy. Coaches and Parents, please discuss with players and DD's. The common denominator(s) will eventually surface.
As Forrest Gump would say.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ_yQ02xwsM