E M A G G N I V L O THE EV July 2020
Issue 51 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Coaching Newsletter
What Defines you ? Coach in Lockdown… I was recently on Facebook, an instrument for information that brings me little solace or happiness. A question was posed from a friend “What word would best describe you?” I examined the answers and was drawn to one response of another Facebook friend who wrote “soccer.” Being involved with the sport for so many years I was disappointed to see his response. I probably would have written the same insane reply ten years ago but even before the Covid 19 environment that surrounds us, my feelings had changed dramatically. I have watched youth soccer have a strangling effect on values, child rearing and rational thinking within families. Important parental priorities have been pushed aside to make sure their children are playing for the right club, the right coach, the right team, and the right soccer future. Strangely enough, many of these parents have been caught up in the unwavering nudge to keep up with neighbors and the success of the neighbor’s child. This pandemic has forced me to realize that soccer or any sport should not be the word to describe an individual. We all should strive to be caring, benevolent, kind and possibly be part of a solution to a world that is slowly being suffocated by hate, greed, lies and prejudice. In this quarantine, I have rediscovered my love for rhythm and blues, writing and nature. My 89-year-old father passed away during the pandemic, but I remember a statement he made to me two years ago, “Is there anything better than watching a child or baby laugh?” There is not, because that one small moment takes you away from fear, anger, and disappointment that life sometimes bring us, especially now.
KwikGoal Clipboard with Mike Barr
I appreciate birds singing in the morning, seeing videos of our youngest granddaughter, the rich colors of trees and flowers, and being closer to my entire family. Mike Barr
This may be a time for parents to Technical Director re-examine values and goals in Eastern Pennsylvania raising your children because life Youth Soccer is so unpredictable. With time on our hands my wife and I began to decide what things to remove from the basement. All the plaques, trophies, and accolades had lost their luster to me and found the trash. Instead, I thought of all the lost moments I could have experienced with my family that did not involve soccer. I remembered entire months, weeks, and weekends where soccer was my only focus and I missed milestones in my children’s lives. I was driven to be successful, blinded by a sport at the expense of my family and others. Do not let youth soccer or any sport define your lives and the lives of your children. Allow your children to find their own passions and interests, not yours. US Soccer has a slogan attached to a slide in a power point of every coaching license taught, “Let’s make soccer the preeminent sport in this country.” Doesn’t it make more sense to say, “Let’s make youth soccer available to all children but allow them to experience different sports or activities and choose their direction as they mature.” Soccer die-hards, find more words that will define your life!
Inside: Crystal Dunn Thanks