Imagine you are a parent. Now imagine your child has decided that soccer is the best sport in the world - which, of course, it is. Now imagine that you find yourself having to find the best-fit club for your child so that his or her soccer experience isn’t just another horror story you hear from other parents - irresponsible coach, unsupportive staff, no communication, etc.
How do you find the right club for you, your child, and your family?
Generally, parents will ask around town, or find out where their children’s friends play. US Youth Soccer has some interesting ideas about what makes Youth Soccer the wonderful, enriching experience that parents want it to be. During Youth Soccer Month, they have focused on the four “F”s of soccer - Fun, Family, Friendship, and Fitness.
For Youth Soccer Month, Blue Sombrero is holding a contest for Youth Soccer Club of the Month, and some of the replies have fit well with these ideas. One response we received was:
“[Our club] provides a wonderful opportunity to provide my child the experience to play a great sport that she is loving more and more every time she plays and practices. The association makes it fun for the children. The volunteers who make this association work go above and beyond their duties to create a positive and well meaningful program where kids can learn how to play the sport and have lots of fun while doing it. I, for one, am very glad to be a part of a great organization.”
Great organization, volunteers, fun, positive, meaningful. Those words describe some of the values that are extremely important for a successful club. The number one reason children want to play soccer is because it’s fun. Players tend to quit when they simply stop having fun with the sport.
But you want your family to be able to get involved, too. Many clubs provide ways for parents to volunteer, to become a part of the organization that is helping their children grow and learn. The entire club can become a larger kind of family!
When your children are having fun, and when you are having fun, there is more of an opportunity to make new friends. Friendship is another great way to boost the level of fun within a team, and if a coach is successful, they can be life-long friendships.
Of course, there’s that other word that players tend to dread - fitness. The best part of soccer is that while you’re having fun, making friends, and involving the whole family, you’re getting fit! September is also Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and sports are the easiest way to get your children outside and running around.
Youth Soccer is where we started at Blue Sombrero. We love the game, and we’ve all been involved with it in one way or another - coaching, playing, leading camps, etc. Help us celebrate Youth Soccer Month and show your support for your favorite Youth Soccer Club!
