But, in the midst of that, there's been rays of hope as well:
1. They boys haven't given up. They keep trying and, in the last three games, have gone 2-0-1. I think they will finish the season with their heads held high.
2. For the first time in recent memory, none of the boys were removed from the team for poor academic records. The grade cut-off is not that demanding, but the soccer players typically come from disadvantaged backgrounds and we usually lose one or two to poor grades. This year, every single one has managed to stick with the team, and we have many players focused on going to college.
3. We had a wonderful ceremony for our first Friday night home match where we unveiled a sign for last year's championship, as well as the newly purchased and installed signs marking the school's 13 previous championships. We had at least one player from each of those championship years in attendance at the ceremony.
4. Last Friday night, we had a crowd of almost 200 fans for "Youth Soccer Night."
5. On a personal note, DS Henry has been attending college I.D. camps and showing well. He has at least one college that is very interested in having him play for them. When a different college complimented his skills but suggested he should focus on non-Division 1 schools, he said he might print that email out, use it as motivation and then send it to the coach after he makes a Division 1 team!
It turns out that there are many measures of success I guess, and even without a shiny championship patch for this season, it seems the boys have done pretty well. Wouldn't you agree?
I think it is healthy for young people to be challenged the way Henry's team is this season, winning easily is no fun and doing well in a higher grade is a great goal to aim for. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGreat faces today Rinda!
Love this especially! I have played soccer all of my life (and still do at age 47!) It's such a great sport for young people to focus on. Soccer played a huge part in my life. I love that you dedicated this days painting to soccer and shared your story.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Henry and his team for hanging on in there and trying their best.
ReplyDeleteThese footballers have such character! As do your own, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Amy's comments...and love these faces...can definately see the players in them.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Henry..and his team-mates..it would be all to easy just to give up!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Seems like those boys have learnt that it's not all about the winning but about doing your best, having fun and rolling with the punches. Good life skills!
ReplyDeleteA few professional players could learn from their example!
Oh, yes! What a range of life skills these boys are learning.
ReplyDeleteWell done to Henry and his team mates and good luck to him with the colleges.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, they have done well. The lessons learned on the soccer field are often ones that stick with them all their life.
ReplyDeleteI do agree and I love that Henry took that coaches' assessment as a challenge and is using it for motivation :)
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