soccer coach

First soccer game

Mike Cluett

Chudleigh’s 1
Fifth Wheel 6

Our Under 7 soccer team (TEAM CHUDLEIGHS) played its first soccer game tonight against Fifth Wheel over at Kinsmen park. The result wasnt what we wanted but they did play a great game. The final score was 6-1 but at the half we were only down by one goal. Just before the first half was over our team had a breakaway and Matthew took the ball down the field and scored. The referee however, blew her whistle just as Team Chudlieghs heading past mid field. No one heard the whistle and the goal didnt count.

I personally think the kids played a great game, especially for it being quite hot and the first game of the season. At the end of the game as the kids were packing up and getting ready to go home, I asked the all important question “Did everyone have fun?” and 12 kids all in unision yelled out “YAAAAAAAAA”.

Mission Accomplished. Nothing puts a bigger smile on your face when you hear, that despite the big difference in the score, they still had fun! Isnt that the whole point?

I think I like this coaching thing.

I’ll see you on the field.

What a weekend!!

Mike Cluett

This was QUITE the weekend. It started off this Saturday at the Home Depot to sell some Milton 150th merchandise with the Mayor (he was there for awhile). Lots of people seemed to be more interested in getting their gardening tools and supplies than getting a cool looking Milton golf shirt (www.milton.ca and click on the 150th logo for merchandise )

We should be selling merchandise at the Farmer’s Market from now on. Speaking of the Market, Ann Kornuta is there most weeks doing some paintings on the street. For those of us who take in the Market week after week, she can be seen either painting or taking pictures. Her collection of work can be described as fun, bright, and unique. In my opinion, she is an amazing artist and you can check out her work here.

Anthony is almost finished his swimming lessons (I think there’s two more lessons to go) and he’s made quite the improvement over the last few weeks. He loves to bob up and down under water and meditate as he calls it. He’s doing really well with the back floats but he’s still having some challenges going forward. All in due time.

***As I type this neighbours are setting off fireworks. Now call me crazy, but isn’t it just a tad dangerous setting off fireworks in your backyard with dozens of homes right around you? Especially after 9PM when most kids are in bed. Am I too old now? ***

I am so happy that Milton Executive Fairways is open for the summer as the big Seargent Farms hasn’t sold its property yet, which means inexpensive 9 hole golf right around the corner for the duration of the summer. Good for me…I hope they don’t ever sell. More golf for me. Had my first round yesterday with Paul Mitrovich (which was his first ever round!) He bought clubs last year and he hasn’t had a chance to go out….problem solved. I shot a 55 in 9 holes (which is about where I left off last year) and he shot a 64!!! Not bad for a first round eh? There WILL be more golf to come this year.

Tomorrow is the first practice for our soccer team… sponsored this year by Chudleigh’s and Anthony is looking forward to it. As I’ve said before, I’m a bit nervous but there are a few parents who have coached before are will be helping me out during the season…which is a load off my mind.

The challenges we have are to make sure the kids have fun (RULE NUMBER ONE) and also teach them a bit about being competitive and trying hard to win. Many of these kids will be moving on towards rep play in the coming years and you have to make sure they are aware of how GOOD it is to win and now not as GOOD it is to not win (all you English majors, that last sentence was intentional HAHA). I will probably screw a few things up over the course of the season but, as life goes, you roll with the punches and have fun doing it.

I think I have overcome my initial “addiction” to Facebook and its beginning to slow down a bit. I know several people who do almost all their communicating through it. I don’t think THAT’S the main reason for Facebook. I like to use the IM’s like MSN, ICQ, and Google Talk etc but not off that one page. Email is still the best… mike at mikecluett.ca

I’ll see you on the field!

Coach Mike

Mike Cluett

Well, I haven’t quite figured it out what I want the kids to call me, but that seems to be ok. Yesterday was a meeting of all the soccer coach hopefuls for the Milton Magic. I’ve now officially become a soccer coach. 

For the last 2 years, Anthony has enjoyed being a soccer player. Now that doesn’t mean he knows everything about soccer, he just knows to make sure he follows where the ball goes and if he’s too tired, he offers to play goal. I have always had a lot of fun helping out the coaches in practices and in games, so I volunteered for the Milton Magic to coach this upcoming season.

Early Saturday morning there were about 60 or so coaching hopefuls in the Memorial Arena to learn a few coaching basics from the head coach of the soccer league. We had to learn a few basics, especially those like myself, who have never played the game before.

So with my bag of uniforms, lists of players and balls, I have begun the undertaking of my life…coaching kids. I’ve never done it before and it’s going to be a learning experience for me to say the least. I just hope I don’t fall flat on my face.