Dear Editor, I have been pondering if I should write to you but for the sake of my children’s passion for soccer, I will write.

Shame on the writer from that ridiculous letter in last Wednesday's paper about soccer.

How dare the writer blame the new administration for the national men's team's 9-1 loss.

All those players in that team were trained under the previous administration which failed to advance football, focusing on older people, rather than developing the new talent.

As a mother with kids and a husband invested in soccer, it angers me to read the writer accusing the new administration of sending soccer backwards.

I've been attending training and games for ages, and lately this would be the first time I've ever witnessed any real progress, especially for our kids. 

I spoke to a new Cook Islands Football Association staff member the other week who told me their plans for academies.

He’s in charge of the U15 boys’ academy and is getting ready to launch the U13 academy, if that isn't progress, I don't know what is.

The writer conveniently ignored this fact. Early-stage development matters and it’s about time CIFA prioritises our kid's growth.

Considering all the corruption involving past presidents, and the international stain they left behind,

I commend the new administration for tackling the clean-up and ensuring competent management.

The real obstacle to development in this country is those ex-officials who keep spouting lies about football, even when they're banned from participating.

If you sit at the grandstand, it's not that hard to hear an ex-president spout negative views about the new administration.

And don't get me started on an ex-general secretary, casting their toxic shadow around and bashing everything done by the new administration.

That person resigned, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.

Their lingering presence is dragging down soccer, and it's time for the new administration to cut them loose once and for all.

Soccer Mom