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Soccer Pledge


TFCRegina

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I haven't played in about a decade in any sort of organized league, but I was wondering if the CSA had instituted a Pledge for players that they have to recite before each game that basically proclaims love and loyalty for one's country ;)

I came to thinking about this because indoctrination is often a great way to get people to stay loyal to their country of residence. And yes, let's call it what it is. People's ideas/knowledge on this one?

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Guest speedmonk42

Holy crap! Where do they do that Little League pledge? Across the country?

I am truly horrified by that.

If this happened in Canadian soccer, I would be done with the game.

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quote:Originally posted by speedmonk42

Holy crap! Where do they do that Little League pledge? Across the country?

I am truly horrified by that.

If this happened in Canadian soccer, I would be done with the game.

well I'll be the first to ask... I understand why some would be against referencing God in a pledge, but what's so horrifying and offensive about mentioning your own country that you're a citizen of in a pledge?

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quote:Originally posted by RJB

Allegiance to any nation has no business in amateur sports. Kids play sports for fun and enjoyment - don't try to politicize it.

So should we eliminate all of the national/provincial teams at the Under 17 age group and lower? We don't want to indoctrinate any of them when we slap a maple leaf on their jersey.

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This raises an interesting question then: What can be done, aside from positive (and publicized) results from the Nats as well as the growth of Canadian pro footy, to help instill a bit more patriotism in Canadian youth athletes so they will find it more of an honour to represent our country in competition? Is this even the right way to think about it? (ok so two questions)

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quote:Originally posted by Tuscan

This raises an interesting question then: What can be done, aside from positive (and publicized) results from the Nats as well as the growth of Canadian pro footy, to help instill a bit more patriotism in Canadian youth athletes so they will find it more of an honour to represent our country in competition? Is this even the right way to think about it? (ok so two questions)

it is an interesting question... Often times I feel that we, as Canadians (Voyageurs excluded) are embarassed of being patriotic and waving the flag. I remember one Canada day in Ottawa watching fireworks and a group of us starting signing O Canada only to be "shushed" by others standing by... For me that kind of summarizes the Canadian mentality. Most of us are embarassed and shy to wave the flag and show any sort of patriotism and affiliation to our country, and this permeates through the entire society, including kids who don't feel too patriotic..

Now this isn't really a topic that can be handled with a simple answer as our multicultural makeup as a new country doesn't lend itself that well to patriotism.

Don't want to turn this into a debate, but I do agree that something should be done. Sorry for not actually providing any answers :)

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quote:Originally posted by grigorio

well I'll be the first to ask... I understand why some would be against referencing God in a pledge, but what's so horrifying and offensive about mentioning your own country that you're a citizen of in a pledge?

So ... replace the first line with:

"I trust in the CSA"

:D

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quote:Originally posted by TFCRegina

Take out the God part and it's a perfect pledge if you ask me.

Well that's a completely different philosophical discussion isn't it? The flip-side being: God has been taken out of almost everything, including schools, and look at how far things have fallen.

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quote:Originally posted by grigorio

it is an interesting question... Often times I feel that we, as Canadians (Voyageurs excluded) are embarassed of being patriotic and waving the flag. I remember one Canada day in Ottawa watching fireworks and a group of us starting signing O Canada only to be "shushed" by others standing by... For me that kind of summarizes the Canadian mentality. Most of us are embarassed and shy to wave the flag and show any sort of patriotism and affiliation to our country, and this permeates through the entire society, including kids who don't feel too patriotic.

I think it depends on the context of the situation. I remember when Ben Johnson beat Lewis in Seoul and the whole crowd in the bar I was in eventually burst out in "O Canada." Same after the hockey win in Salt Lake City in 02, and I'm pretty sure others here could add their own similar experiences.

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quote:Originally posted by bettermirror

Well that's a completely different philosophical discussion isn't it? The flip-side being: God has been taken out of almost everything, including schools, and look at how far things have fallen.

Yeah, terrible that we have some of the lowest crime rates in the past 30 years, and some of the highest cultural harmony we've ever had. Taking religion out has been an utter disaster for society.

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quote:Originally posted by RJB

Allegiance to any nation has no business in amateur sports. Kids play sports for fun and enjoyment - don't try to politicize it.

Yes they are. But guess what, they're politicized already. Why do we have provincial associations? Why do we have Football Associations at all, at any level? Politics comes with the turf.

We have no sense of pride in this country.

What is wrong with saying you love Canada or "your country"? Why does nobody sing the anthem unless they absolutely have to?

We don't need to be obnoxious about being Canadian, but we should at least be able to acknowledge the fact without being red faced about supporting it.

If the pledge does not use Canada, it can be interpreted any way possible, but the fact is it is a subversive method of loving Canada, because this is where the people live.

Maybe if some of our players felt more connected to the nation we'd see less defections.

Tell me why it is so many Americans opt to play for the US when they have options to play elsewhere for better teams? Part of it is playing time yes, but the other part is they have pride in their nation.

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I am not letting 'The Ref' near any of my kids. FFS. Might be suitable in some place where they are not allowed to wear zippers or drive automobiles but sure as hell not in Calgary.

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quote:Originally posted by TFCRegina

Tell me why it is so many Americans opt to play for the US when they have options to play elsewhere for better teams? Part of it is playing time yes, but the other part is they have pride in their nation.

Tell me why so many do not.

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Guest speedmonk42

The solution is simple.

Make the teams, the programs and the clubs at every level, the supporters groups, the bars and cafes where people watch games.... something people want to be part of.

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Guest speedmonk42
quote:

We have no sense of pride in this country.

Good. I will take social responsibility over pride any day.

quote:

We don't need to be obnoxious about being Canadian,

but the fact is it is a subversive method of loving Canada, because this is where the people live.

It can't 'not' be obnoxious and subversive at the same time.

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