Wednesday, 16 July 2003.
It used to be the dunce's cap in the school classroom. That symbol of ridicule that must have haunted those subjected to it has now long gone. But have all the parallels disappeared from childhood?
On a recent FA Child protection and best practice workshop one coach described how he awarded a skirt to the worst boy player in training or matches, to be worn for the final part of a session.
Is this a harmless bit of fun? Or abuse, subjecting the child to ridicule and humiliation?
The issue was discussed fully during the workshop, led by FA tutor and Birmingham City Council Football Development Officer Mark Sanders.
"Most of those present were very uncomfortable when the skirt issue was first raised. There were a few sniggers, but most of those on the workshop were shocked and immediately thought the idea was wholly inappropriate," explains Mark.
"Towards the end of the workshop we go through an action planning programme where we discuss what we would like to change at our clubs. The coach who had started the skirt issue was big enough to speak out and say: 'I've realised I was wrong. I thought the kids were laughing at the time we handed out the skirt. But now I realise they were probably crying inside.'"
"In the end the coach came up to me and thanked me for the workshop," adds Mark. "It was a really useful and worthwhile day."
FA Child protection and best practice workshops are run regularly throughout the country. Already nearly 50,000 people involved in football have attended workshops or completed The FA's work-at-home Child protection and best practice - A guide.
For more details,click here.