To the editor:

The only part of Mark Craig’s “No sportsmanship” letter that is relevant is the last sentence: “The Kaw Valley Soccer Assn. and all soccer parents should take notice of those who are leading the youth of Lawrence.” Kaw Valley Force parents have noticed and overwhelmingly support the Kaw Valley Coach, Mauro Nobre.

Coach Nobre is the Kansas Youth Soccer 2004 Boys Coach of the Year and also serves as a coach for the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. He is loved by his players and provides an excellent role model for them.

What Mr. Craig left out is that he is the coach of the team that lost in that game, and that in the past when these two teams played, Mr. Craig’s team came back to tie the game. With limited subs on the bench, Coach Nobre rotated his players as he, the coach, determined was right. Premier soccer is much more competitive than club or recreational soccer. In many premier tournaments, not only does the win/loss count for points, but so does winning by a shutout, and goal differentials are counted if there is a tie.

The teams train and play like they are in a tournament. Premier teams must play fairly and competitively, and Coach Nobre has done an excellent job of instilling proper values in his players. It sounds to me like it is time for Mr. Craig to hang up his coaching cleats or move his team to a less competitive division.

Brad Williams,

Lawrence