Youth Soccer Program
Emeraude’s first soccer games this week were a success J. She took part in her very first organized, team sport Tuesday & Thursday as a member of Team Canada in the Primary League. Each spring, the Township of Manitouwadge Leisure Services Department offers a Youth Soccer Program to kids from 4 to 14 years of age. In the past, Lloyd has played, I had even volunteered as coach** for his team a few years ago and this year Lloyd is assistant coach for Emeraude’s team which, from a mother’s perspective is absolutely wonderful! (he is so enthusiastic about it too, in spite of being quite shy)
Tuesday evening’s game, she tried her best to participate (keep up) in the warm-ups but preferred to stay on the side lines with me and watch the remainder of the game. Thursday however, she know knew what to expect and had been preparing herself mentally for the game. She had told me earlier in the day that she would be playing and followed through with her intentions. She was not yet comfortable kicking the ball (too bad because we have been playing in the front yard ever since the snow melted and she is quite adept) but had a great time running with her team. It’s all for fun and to learn about the game & good sportsmanship while making new friends but I am blown away with the skill level the teams are playing at. All the kids seem to be enjoying themselves and playing really enthusiastically.
Thursday night the weather was quite uncooperative. That morning, it had rained, then snowed and the wind was awful! I managed to dress Emeraude warmly, among her layers were long underwear top & bottoms, mittens & a toque. I should have taken the same care in dressing myself however as the brisk wind and not-so-seasonal temperatures certainly did not agree with me. I could not even think of watching from the van though because she was awesome! She ran her little heart out until 18h25 telling me she was done for the night. Tuesday her favourite part had been the “high fives”, when the kids line up to congratulate each other on a game well played, Thursday I didn’t make it to the middle of the feild to help her with that and she seemed to get a little lost in the shuffle lol but at least I know better for next time.
Having run the whole game, she had a new favourite part anyways! 🙂
