In one hour's time I'm going to watch my youngest son play rugby.

That tripped off the tongue as if it's something I do every week . In fact this is the first time I will ever have done this. Most of the Mum's at his school can be heard to say this all the time - veterans of the touchline.

For us it's a first. He is 9 years old and this is the first time he has ever been selected to represent his school. He can run and catch a ball, follow instructions and knows how to give and take in a team situation and yet this is the first time he has ever been asked to demonstrate this. He may not be A team material but he doesn't have 2 left feet or a white stick.

If I ruled the world, or at least his school, I would make sure that every single child was allowed to feel that crumb of pride as they caught sight of a parent on the sideline, cheering them on in sub zero teperatures. That thrill of seeing their name in print on the fixtures notice-board , that sense of belonging , that they had made it through the selection process , that they were wanted. But no - survival of the fittest prevails and is alive and kicking in the public school system. If you are in the football team, you are likely to be in the rugby team, the cricket team , the swimming team, the badminton team , the athletics squad, the "look Mum I'm the best" team . And if you're not then you'll be left standing in the corridor wondering why you're never quite good enough.