Coach's meeting

So, I'm a teacher and coach at a junior high - and I coach 8th grade girls volleyball and track. I coach with someone - we split up the teams into A and B teams. I have the B team - which I like, not as much pressure! Last year, my partner's daughter was on the A team, despite the fact that she has a very mild case of cerebral palsy - it affects her physically a little, mentally a bit more, and definately socially. She'll do fine in the world - get married, get a job, be productive.... but she's never going to be a surgeon or rocket scientist or professional athlete. She tried out for the high school freshman team this week and didn't make it. I was lucky enough (or stupid enough) to walk in on the meeting between my coaching partner (the dad) and the high school coaches. How nice. He, of course is pissed.... is going to pull out the IEP thing and take it to the next level I'm sure. I really like the guy, and his family, but I can understand why they cut her. She's not as fast as she needs to be, and she just can't think far enough ahead to know where she should be on the court - now we're talking about grooming kids for varsity and winning is even more important. Pressure on coaches between administrators saying "WIN" and parents saying "WHY"S MY KID SITTING ON THE BENCH?" is enough to drive you crazy as a coach. One thing I know for sure - I don't ever want to coach at the varsity level. First, I'm not much of a coach - no training, and before last year no experience. I understand the sport - but have SO much to learn as far as coaching is concerned. Anyway - back to the dad - I feel for him, but I'm worried about the conversation we'll be having about this. He's actually a pretty close friend to me. I guess the best thing for me to do is just not say much of anything - be understanding and consoling and leave it at that. Things blow over - I remember being cut from a team - it SUCKS. But life does go on..... as hers and theirs will.

Meanwhile, I have an almost 9 year old with a serious attitude that I need to go string up by her eyebrows or something..... argggg....