I guess the Brazilians are wrong when they gather outside without any adults in sight to play soccer. Their parents don't drive hours on end to practice and games. How dare they? They're probably ranked #1 in the world at soccer, but would you really want to live there?
My point is-soccer is what it is. In SC and everywhere. I'm glad Mia wasn't from SC! She would have never made it! How can we be ranked higher in soccer versus education? That's the better question. No amount of driving, switching clubs or paying coaches is going to make a child something they are not. If the talent is there and it's meant to be, then it will happen. I've known some coaches who knew a great deal about soccer, but were not very nice people. Others were great and able teachers-in life and in soccer. We control our children's soccer lives because we can. Unlimited funds/time are being spent on maintaining control. Our kids start out the same, in REC and loving it. Then somewhere along the way, "they" decide how talented they are and ask to play club ball (and they want to try out for clubs way across town, with kids they don't know). With so much exposure to soccer on TV and parents who played, it's only natural.
Pretty soon they want to travel very far from home 3 days a week to play on that "best" team. We of course only relent because our kids are so insistent. Soccer makes no difference in our adult lives, right? It's not us who want them to be state champs-it's them. Amazingly they seem to know at a young age, to be the best you have to spare no expense in time or money. The lesson of playing the hand you are dealt is mute. Enough sarcasm-I digress.
My point is this-does my child love soccer? Yes, and I'm trying to keep it that way. I don't care if she doesn't want to play for the best team, best coach, best club. I will encourage her to be around the people that will help her be a better person, not just a better soccer player. If it costs her that shot at the national team, so be it. She will be committed and play her hardest. She will look back with fond memories, and if she wants to continue to play, it will be for her and only her.
quote:
I know it's only rock and roll, but I like it!