So summer really has taken hold now. We've been so busy swimming, tumbling, kicking balls, watching movies, planning a cheer season, hanging with friends, and dealing with drama.
What's the drama? Well my son has been playing Academy Soccer for the past 2 1/2 years with a local club. He's very loyal to this club as he's played with some of the other players since he was 4 years old. He loves his team.
This year the team is old enough to move up to the next level--competitive soccer. And a month ago we got a call that our son was going to be singled out and cut from the team. They felt like he just didn't have the chops. The other kids on the team who don't have the chops? Well there's where politics come into place. You know. It's an old story.
So during the past month we've gone around town looking at other clubs. Unfortunately for my son, none of these clubs felt like home. You see my son is one of these old fashioned loyal type of guys, and he really loves his teammates. So despite the fact he knew that he was probably going to get cut, he insisted on trying and only trying with the team that he's been playing with as long as he can remember.
And then he said, "Maybe I can change the coach's mind. Maybe he won't cut me."
Rock and a hard place--that's where my husband I were--rock and a hard place.
I mean how do you explain politics to a 10 year old kid?
How do you explain to them that showing up to every practice, trying hard, and being agreeable means nothing in competitive sports if you don't have the magic touch on the ball?
You can't.
So today, my husband took my son to tryouts. And he got cut.
Little B cried on the way home, and my husband then took him on a "man walk" for a "man talk." When they got home he told me he still didn't want to try out for other teams. He was going to find a friendship team and find the fun in soccer again. He was going to have time to explore other things he was interested in that he's never had time to do before, and he was excited about that. And he insisted that today, it was going to be a good day for only one bad thing had happened.
"Hopefully that one bad thing won't ruin the whole day," he finished.
And for him, I think it won't.
He's a good kid.
And for that coach who decided to single him out? Well, I'm sure you all have a few choice words for him. Don't you? I know I do.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
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5 comments:
Not just a good kid.
A GREAT kid.
Amazing story. I think it's hard to watch our kids grow up and find out about politics and such. It would be nice if there were no such thing, so we wouldn't have to rain on our babies parades.
Sounds like you're doing an excellent job raising your son. I hope he finds a team where he feels like home. I hope he is able to find the fun in soccer again. Because, if it isn't fun, than what's the point?
Awesome job Mom!!!
I like the way your son thinks!
And yes, I have a lot of thoughts about the whole politics of sports and competition - especially at this young age. Grrrr...
I have often wondered how many opportunities my kids have missed out on because I refused to play the game.
Then I sat back and realized, that if someone had to play a game, it wasn't really an opportunity.
He'll be fine. Some life lessons just hurt a little more than others.
Give him an extra hug from me. I don't believe in sports that are that competitive for kids not even in their teens.
My daughter once went to a high school tennis lesson, and was told she wasn't good enough to take the lessons. Not good enough for lessons? Come on. We later found out that they were just recruiting people for the TEAM and using the lessons to find the good ones.
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