Revealed: The heartbreaking five-word question nine-year-old boy asked his mum when he was banned from playing footy because of his weight

Daily Mail​

15-05-2025

A nine-year-old boy from South Auckland has been left heartbroken after being informed he cannot play age-grade rugby with his mates because he is too heavy.
The child, a Year 4 student, was one of more than 100 young players in the Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union club competition who have applied for a weight dispensation.
However, the competition defended its position and said the rules are in place to protect other players.
'He feels terrible and keeps asking why he isn't allowed to play with his friends,' the boy's mother told the New Zealand Herald.
Devastated, the boy, who has chosen not to play any winter sports, responded to the news by asking his mother: 'What is wrong with me?'
She said her son is now scared to go to school because of the ridicule he could face from other students.
Up until Year 3, club rugby has an open weight, but in Year 4, players must weigh less than 45kg.
The boy in question weighs 54kg and had his dispensation application knocked back for safety reasons.
'Last year he weighed roughly the same ... So why could he play the last two years and not now with the same kids, who are the same age and same year?' his mother said.
'He has always been naturally tall and built, and while his physical size may be greater, his mental and emotional maturity remains unchanged.
'He is fully aware of his strength and often assists players on the opposing team when they fall and get tackled.
'What is happening now feels like a form of exclusion, singling out children due to their weight. Many children already face social challenges and teasing at school regarding their size, and this decision only reinforces that negativity.'
Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union community rugby boss Matt Megaw said the boy's situation is a complex issue and acknowledged how tough it had been for the youngster.
'At Counties Manukau Rugby, we care deeply about the wellbeing of all our players, and it's never our intention for a child to feel excluded or disheartened when it comes to participating in our game,' Megaw said.
'That said, there are processes and structures in place across our junior rugby framework that are agreed upon by our junior clubs collectively and administered by the junior rugby committee.'