Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
Oh I know it didn't fit with the conclusion whatshisnuts was making, just thought it was interesting as I completely see the effect already watching my kid play in novice as a Dec bday.
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The effect is huge. Which is very unfortunate, especially in the sports world, where minute differences can result in huge consequences.
From personal experience. My bday is in late October, and I am a late bloomer. I used to run 100m sprints from Grade 7-10. I was always good enough to make my school team, but would finish in bottom 50-30 range in the track meets. One year my coach discovered a loop hole that would allow anyone with a bday later than September 4 (the start of the school year) to run with the year below. That year I ran with the year below and finished second in my heat and fifth overall (out of about 50 kids).
The next year, they closed the loophole, and I was forced out of the sport as I was just not good enough to make the next level.
Because of the loophole, I went from being one of the youngest to one of the oldest and the differnnce was huge. Basically big enough to make the difference between me not competing in the sport and me being a finalist.