Life’s Lessons Learned on the Soccer Field
The season has nearly ended for Pembroke Youth Soccer. The last corner kicks have been kicked. The final throw-ins have been thrown. The cheers and tears are all memories now. There were 990 games scheduled this spring in the Coastal League, that Pembroke plays in, and what was the final record in our league? There were 884 wins, and 884 losses, and 106 ties. Yes, for every time someone went home with a win, someone else in our league, went home with a loss. Sure Marshfield may have gotten more than their share of wins, but then again, maybe we did. In the end, it all came out even. So how did we improve ourselves? Are we ahead of where we were 3 months ago at the start of the season? Our coaches, in over 1500 practice sessions certainly have taught our children quite a bit, and we are thankful for that.
On Saturday, June 9th, in a Pembroke playoff game it was the kids turn to do the teaching. Near the end of the game, with Pembroke behind by several goals, the visitors were awarded a Penalty Kick. The visiting players on the field were yelling, "let Joe take it, he hasn’t scored all season". Joe’s moment of glory was fast approaching. However, the visiting coach felt that another goal was necessary, and called to have his number one striker, who had 3 goals already in the game, take the kick. His players called back, "coach, its already 5-0". The coach reiterated his order. Feeling helpless the player did what he was told, and lined up to take the kick. Then, he whispered to the Pembroke goalie, "I’m going to kick it right to you." Sure enough he did, right to the goalie. Pembroke did not need to feel any worse, and this young player, mature beyond his years, knew it. He had just taught the adults a lesson in sportsmanship. In the bleachers, you may see the "trip" and the fall, on the field as a referee, you hear the "apology". In the bleachers, you may see your daughter miss the goal with a shot. As a coach, you remember back to when she would miss the ball. We’ve learned its not the final score that we will remember years from now, it is all the special moments in between those goals that make the memories.
Our jobs as parents is to give our kids a chance to play, to learn to win or lose, to improve themselves, to apologize, and to congratulate teammates and opponents, on a job well done. The best way to do that is to become involved. If your thinking of coaching there are very good coaching courses you can take, right now, before the fall, and Pembroke Soccer will reimburse you. If you want to referee there are courses for that. There are also many behind the scene jobs. You could be a snack bar supervisor and help a child with their very first job. Now that is community service. If you want to be involved, please call our Volunteer coordinator, Cathi Quigg, at 294-9235.
Final registration for the Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 soccer season will be held Wednesday June 27th at the Town Hall from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. Don’t forget the birth certificates. Any questions, call Bill Tholen at 826-0937. Also, forms will be available for the World Cup Soccer Camp and British Soccer Camp that evening.