Last night was the second last game for this years soccer season and will soon close the book on my debut as a soccer coach. Its been an interesting and challenging few months but something I know I’ll look back on as one of the most fun and rewarding times in my life.
At the beginning of the season I had a few goals. One was to help further teach the kids the game of soccer. Most of them had played at least 2 summers worth of the game but there are a couple on the team that are complete rookies to the sport. There’s obviously an importance to keeping your positions and looking at different options while the game is going on.
One of the other goals I had was to make sure that by the end of the game, each one of Team Chudleighs had a good time and had fun. I think both goals have been accomplished big time.
I wouldn’t have been able to do the job I did without the help of the parents on the team. In other years I noticed there were some parents who just showed up, watched the game and then went home. This year was totally different. The parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles were part of the team. Every week they were there … cheering on the kids … encouraging them to do well … applauding at every great offensive and defensive move. It was amazing.
I know there’s one week left but I really wouldn’t have got this far without the help of one parent in particular. Gary Hans (Sunju’s dad and former soccer coach himself) volunteered to help out when my assistant coach had to back out because of work related complications. His strong dedication to the sport has helped inspire me to do better. His enthusiasm was and is contagious and the kids are better soccer players for his teaching. Thanks Gary.
I also have to thank my wife Pat for her help in all this. People have made comments like “wow, you’re really organized!” and that’s only due to Pat’s help. When practices had to be cancelled due to pouring down rain or other things that came up, she was the one who made the phone calls to all the parents. Thanks Pat.
And finally I have to thank the kids on the team. Each one of them has done their very best and whatever the score was of any of the games they always reminded me why they got involved in this…to have fun. Everyone one of the kids on the team has improved so much over the summer and hopefully both Gary and I can take some credit in helping them with their skills. They may have learned things from us but believe me, Ive learned a lot from them as well. They are the greatest bunch of kids Ive seen in a long time. So to Nathan, Anthony, Jordan, Lawson, Matthew, Sunju, Ethan, Jessika, Madison, Syndey, Nicholas, Katie and Kyle…THANKS!!!
Team Chudlieghs will always rock!
So we have only one more practice before the last game and the skills competition. The skills day is a chance for all the players to showcase what they have learned throughout the years and to get their trophies and see all their friends in one place.
I’m asked quite a bit if I’ll do this again next year…and despite the challenges of scheduling practices, following up with parents, getting things ready, making phone calls etc… I think I’ll be back (if they’ll have me of course) for next year. Its been a great summer of soccer and I look forward to many more.