Sunday, May 23, 2010

A Soccer Mom...

This year I coached my six year olds soccer team, The Fireballs.  I had no idea what I was getting into when I agreed to be the coach.  I signed Aiden up for soccer early last summer and in August got a call from the soccer association saying there would be no team unless a coach could be found.  I've never played soccer and had no idea what to do, but my husband assured me I would be great, so I took on the challenge.



In our area soccer runs 8 weeks in the fall and 8 weeks in the spring.  I had one practice during the week and we usually had one game on Saturday (there were a couple double-headers thrown in there).  I got to spend 16 weeks with some pretty amazing boys.  Watching the kids learn skills, learn to play together as a team, learn to be gracious winners and good sports when they lost, watching them grin when a play worked and high-five their buddies was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  I appreciate the parents who trusted me with their kids and the boys for trusting me to be their coach. 

The Fireballs had a great season!  I was priviliged to coach boys who wanted to play the game and who had more heart that I can describe.  I did not have typical 6 year olds.  They came to play and really came together as a team.  My boys were at their best when they worked together and they learned teamwork in a way I haven't seen in kids so young.   They were a unique group of kids and I will miss being their coach!

I will treasure the opportunity I had to be one of Aiden's first coaches!

5 comments:

  1. What a great memory to treasure! I can't help but notice the missing front teeth that some of the players are 'sportin' :0)
    This is a snapshot in time that captures so many childhood memories. All because a brave mom was willing to travel down a new road. Great job "soccer mom"

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  2. Thanks...coaching has been one of my favorite mom adventures!

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  3. Even though the kids don't (officially) keep score at this age, they still know if they won or lost. I asked Aiden on one of the few times they "lost" if he still had fun and of course they did. He told me he would rather play a game and lose then practice or play in the neighborhood games. You definitely taught them that it is more important to play fairly and have fun than win by ignoring the rules or being selfish. Of course that's a little easier when you have Fireballs on your team.

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  4. Even though the kids don't (officially) keep score at this age, they still know if they won or lost. I asked Aiden on one of the few times they "lost" if he still had fun and of course he did. He told me he would rather play a game and lose then practice or play in the neighborhood games. You definitely taught them that it is more important to play fairly and have fun than win while not being a good sport. Of course that's a little easier when you have Fireballs on your team.

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  5. Such a nice comment it warrented a double posting...LOL...thanks Danny! Good sportsmanship was one of my goals starting out.

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