OK, the days of what's said on the field stays on the field seem to have gone, like so many other things in our prissy society.

I'm not a fan of sledging, but I still think that there's a certain amount of value in learning how to cop a sledge without it having any influence upon your performance. Therein, you can make the sledger look like an idiot.
Better yet, a nonchalant remark after succeeding such as " If you concentrated more on your game instead of your sledging, you might just attain the level of below-average mediocrity" to make the blood boil a bit.

I still like the sayings: "Sticks and stones", and "Proof is in the pudding", etc., I think there is value in developing a thick skin, because let's be honest, there is little value in being thin skinned. You're out there to give and take the knocks to and from peak performance individuals. It is no place for the faint of heart.

However, outside of the arena is IMO a different story. They need to switch off from the machismo warrior that is required to win at the elite level.
And most often they do. Most often they are the most gentle caring people who give their time to their fans, the sick, the poor, and most especially they provide thrills for sick or dying children. Thrills that could not be provided unless these sportsmen were at the top of their chosen endeavor.

Needless to say that I would not provide much of a thrill for a poor kid who was dying of cancer, but I would definitely embrace the opportunity if I could imagine myself as being in the class of elite sportspeople. I am not, and never will be in the position to provide such a thrill to a dying kid.

I know for a fact that Will Minson places that opportunity in very high regard. I'd imagine that he would be shattered to lose that respect, and would wonder if the kid really wants to see him.

So, what I say is toughen TF up, and stop being so bloody prissy on the field, because these kids want to see the warriors of our society, not pathetic nancy boys.
It's for the kids, not for the selfish adult.i