Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Competitive Soccer--Welcome to a whole new world


I like sports. I love a good Bronco football game. I enjoy the BYU/U of U rivalry in any sport. (Go Cougars). On my mission, I enjoyed playing a lot of soccer on my P-day. I love watching my kids play them and want them to play them. I want them on teams and learn the lessons that team sports offer. However, I am not IN LOVE with sports and now begins my conflict.

Toothsome #1 has been playing soccer since he was 4. He is relatively good at it and scores goals, is good at defense, and has even had some great blocks when he has played goalie. Recently, the team he has been playing with since he was five decided to change leagues and go to a competitive league. My son was older than most of the boys on the team and we found out in this new league that he was too old to play with this team anymore. So, I just planned on having him in the existing league with a new group of boys. Not a great solution but it seemed to work.

Then, I got a call from the coach who said he thought toothsome #1 should tryout for the older team in this competitive league. After some consideration, my husband and I thought we should at least try-out. Well, we tryed-out and he made it. I have now attended crazy parent meetings where everyone has an opinion on the style of soccer shorts, how to fund-raise, how we all need to buy matching t-shirts to support our kids on the sidelines, attend soccer camps and tournaments. I am not a nutty soccer mom. I and my son have a life outside of soccer. I just want my son to have a good soccer experience. Now I am neck deep in soccer craziness. Add to this, the coach of this new team asked me to be the team treasurer and I was stupid enough to say yes. (I should say when 10 soccer-intense parents are staring at you, it is hard to say no.) So today, I spent about 4 hours setting up a non-profit bank account so I can gather money, write checks, pay dues, pay referee fees, etc. All I can say is, this better be a great experience for my son because I am worn out and he hasn't even had his first practice!

7 comments:

jo said...

way to go #1! wow... that kid gets cooler every day! I wish he was my friend in high school. needless to say I'd be quite the cool person by association. (I know I'm jumping the gun a few years here, but hey, I know an awesome kid when I see one).

Janice said...

No, I am the cool one because I am supporting this craziness.

ash said...

What kind of treats do the young soccer players get? Was that an issue that concerned the parents? Best of luck with the treasurer position. Bank account? gee...

Gabriela said...

wow, I had no idea about this soccer business. Yike! Good luck to you and #1.

Anonymous said...

And that, my dear, is why I have managed to stay out of competitive soccer! PTA is plenty of drama for me! Good luck with it all, though!

Anonymous said...

Oh, the joy of comp soccer. You are getting into this pretty early, in my opinion. But try to enjoy it, and find out who lives close to you so you can carpool. Don't even try to make it to every practice and game personally; I don't think it's possible.

love.boxes said...

Janice.. you ARE cool! But, I'm with you... if your son has a really great experience and he LOVES IT.. It might be worth it, but if he doesn't... you just reminded me of many of the reasons why I don't do PTA.

On the plus side, from what Soccor mom Paige said, you may not have to worry about #1 physical fitness... like ever.