Boys and girls may be the same species, but their parents are completely different animals when it comes to watching their offspring perform on the field of play, according to Stew MacPherson, Richmond Girls Soccer executive director.
The male game is generally accepted as being more physical and slightly faster than its female counterpart.
As such, the behaviour emanating from the parents on the sideline tends to mirror that on the field and can be more "intense" in nature, argued MacPherson.
"I think it's totally different, it's a totally different animal. With no disrespect to girls soccer, especially at a high level, the boys are going in much harder and faster, with sliding tackles and things like that.
"You don't see a lot of that on the girls' side," he added.
"And with the boys game being more physical, it tends to raise the level of involvement from the side also."
The boys, in MacPherson's experience, are up at disciplinary meetings all the time due to red cards.
"I think at Richmond Girls, we've had three red cards in seven years. That tells you a lot about the physical side."
In addition, many parents are living the game vicariously through their children and many of the issues arise via the father through his son. So, by default, "there's perhaps less of that in the girls game," said MacPherson.
