Dear Editor,
Re: “Red card for soccer club,” Letters, Feb. 3.
I do agree with Laura Heroux in that the situation with coach Roberto Sciascia and the Richmond soccer club was a truly sad affair.
It sends a message to all coaches in all sports that we now must be fully aware of the consequences of parents or players who do not agree or like the coach’s philosophy.
Coach Sciascia’s situation reminds me of what happened in the late 1400s during the Spanish Inquisition to those who would not confess and eventually many were persecuted and eventually executed based on hearsay.
Thank goodness for the fine justice system we have today which thoroughly investigated this case and concluded to stay the charges against Sciascia.
What happened to him can happen to any coach in sport and, frankly, that is a very serious problem for all youth sports.
All coaches today must be aware of who is watching and what is being said about them.
Would it not have been easier if the parents came to the Richmond head coach or board with their concerns?
Heroux goes on to say many players left the sport and infers that it was because of Sciascia and his old-school methods.
I scoff at the notion that any players left the program because of this.
If there is a positive to be found in these bizarre events, it may bring the Richmond soccer community closer together.
This was also the case 10 years ago when a board member absconded with hundreds of thousands of dollars of Richmond youth funds and the club was left penniless.
This year is the club’s 60th anniversary and we should be focused on 60 more years of helping our youth in Richmond develop and nurture the most popular sport in the world and not to dwell on the negatives.
What is missing here in this story are the hundreds of metro soccer players who have come through the Richmond metro system in the past and went on to colleges and universities and still play in the adult leagues today.
We have built a good soccer program here in Richmond and I ask that you come out and watch a game on our fantastic facilities and you will see for yourself.
John Gattens
Life member Richmond Girls Soccer
Life member Richmond Soccer for Life
Richmond Metro Select coach
